Instructions for Cooking Herbal Medicine and Related Information

Instructions for Cooking Herbal Medicine and Related Information

Pot for cooking raw herbs

① Ceramic pot is preferred.

② Corning pot or stainless steel pot can also be used.

③ Do not use an iron or aluminum pot to cook Chinese herbs.

④

Do not use an electric cooker or electric pot (Ya Ba Xi Fu) to cook Chinese medicine as it will not achieve the desired effect of refining the herbs through water and fire.

2. Instructions for preparing medicinal decoctions: (using the example of reducing 9 cups of water to 3 cups of water)

① Pour the raw herbs into the pot, add 3 cups of water (referring to a small rice bowl, approximately 8oz or 240ml), and mark the level of the water.

② Add the remaining 6 cups of water (total of 9 cups), and soak for 1 hour.

③ Cut three large slices of fresh ginger and put them in the pot to soak together with the herbs.

④ After soaking for 1 hour, boil over high heat (with the lid on, but not tightly closed, leaving a small gap) for approximately 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the pot base and heating surface.

⑤ After boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for 1 hour. It must be simmered for at least 1 hour and not more than 1.5 hours, until the water level is reduced to 3 cups. (If the heat is too high, it will boil down to 3 cups before 1 hour; if the heat is too low, it will take more than 1.5 hours to boil down to 3 cups. Therefore, please pay attention to the heat and adjust it accordingly.)

⑥ When the water level reaches 3 cups, turn off the heat. Wait for 10 minutes before pouring the decoction into a ceramic bowl or glass bottle for storage. Divide into 3 servings (do not use a plastic bowl), usually drinking 2 servings a day. Please follow the doctor's instructions.

⑦ If there is leftover decoction for the day, store it in the refrigerator after it has cooled down. Take it out the next day, and heat it up with a gas stove or electric cooker. Avoid using a microwave oven.

⑧ Chinese herbs should only be cooked once to ensure the concentration of the medicinal properties. Do not discard the herbal residue. Instead, take it to the backyard for composting, which can improve soil quality and serve as a natural fertilizer.

08/2023 rev.