There are three common ways of taking a formula: decoction, powder and tablets.
DECOCTION
As many Chinese formulas have been made into tablets and many are also available in powder form, it has become less important for people to know how to decoct formulas. Nevertheless, the vast majority of Chinese formulas are still not available in either tablets or powder, which means that they need to be decocted. Moreover, herbal formulas that have been decocted are readily absorbed and take effect more quickly, which is beneficial for acute disorders. In order to produce the best therapeutic effects, formulas should be decocted according to established methods.
The pot used for decoction should be made of something other than iron or bronze in order to prevent chemical changes; usually, an earthenware pot is used instead. Place the herbs in the pot, add cold water just enough to cover all herbs and then add one more cup, so that the water will be about half an inch higher than the herbs. Stir a little bit and let the herbs soak in the water for about 20 minutes to make them soft and moist. Then bring the water to boil; as soon as the water begins to boil, reduce the heat to low, both to keep the water from overflowing and to prevent its premature exhaustion. During the course of decoction, the pot should be covered and no opened too frequently in order to retain the volatile constituents of some herbs. The quantity of the water used varies with the herbs and the heat, because some herbs absorb more water than others and thus need more water for decoction and high heat consumes more water than low heat.
The same water should be used for decoction to prevent any loss of the herbs’ potency. The total decoction time depends upon the herbs being decocted. For instance, herbs fro inducing perspiration can be decocted over high heat for less than 10 minutes after the water starts boiling and herbs for strengthening the body, traditionally called tonics, can be decocted for as long as an hour over low heat. After decoction, the herbs are strained.
When a Chinese patient gets a prescription from a doctor, he or she usually brings it to an herb shop for filling. The clerk at the herb shop will wrap up the herbs in small paper bags and give instructions for each bag to be decocted two to three times for oral administration. Normally, each decoction is to be taken all at once as one dosage, usually in one or two cups and two dosages are taken a day. The same bag of herbs can be decocted in the morning and then again in the late afternoon.
Sometimes it may be necessary to decoct the heavy or hard herbs, like wood or roots, over low heat for 10 to 20 minutes first, so that their constituents will become fully soluble in boiling water. Clinical experiences have shown that such heavy herbs can be decocted repeatedly to produce good results. After heavy and hard herbs have been boiled for 10 to 20 minutes, add the aromatic herbs and then the very light herbs, such as leaves and flowers, which should be decocted for only about five minutes or so in order to prevent evaporation of some constituents like essential oils.
POWDER
When herbs in a formula are ground into powder, they are easy to carry, take and preserve. Powder is also more economical than by decoction, because generally one bag of herbs supplying one day’s consumption by decoction will supply four days of consumption in powder with the same effects. After the herbs have been ground into powder, filter the powder to make sure that it is fine enough for consumption. Here is how to take a formula in powder:
- The first thing you should do is mix up the powder thoroughly either in a jar or a bag to make sure that the powder is properly mixed, because herbal formulas contain different herbs which should be mixed up evenly.
- Put the powder in a cup and pour boiling water into the cup; then stir and drink it warm. If any residue remains at the bottom, repeat the same process and drink it again, so that you don’t waste any powder.
- The quantity of powder you should take depends on how much you weigh, because the heavier you are , the more you should take. Assuming that you weigh 140 pounds, you should be taking 6 grams of powder (roughly on-third of the formula weight) each time (increase or decrease 1 gram for each 15 pounds of body weight). Therefore, if you weigh 155 pounds you should take 7 grams each time; if you weigh only 110 pounds, you should take only 4 grams each time , twice daily.
- The process of drinking Chinese herbal powder is similar to drinking instant coffee, except the powder may not dissolve in boiling water as quickly and easily as instant coffee and the powder may not taste as good as coffee. If you don’t like the taste of it , you can also put it in empty capsules, which are available in health food stores. Alternatively, you can place the powder on you tongue, hold your breath and wash it down with a cup of warm water. Wash any residue down with another cup of water. This should be done twice daily.
TABLETS
Herbal powder can be made into tablets, which is normally done by manufacturers. Tablets have a number of advantages: they are easiest to take and carry; they are slow in absorption and therefore good for chronic and deficient diseases- and, since some formulas are very drastic in action, when they are taken as tablets, such drastic action can be slowed down. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the quantity of tablets to take each time.