[Lead] The correctness of Chinese herbal decoction method is related to the efficacy. We should pay special attention to the following issues when decocting Chinese herbs. Let's take a look together! First of all, it's the utensils. Sand pot or porcelain pot is the best choice for decocting medicine. Iron and copper metal utensils are strictly prohibited because most herbs will undergo chemical changes after contacting with metals, affecting the therapeutic effect of the medicine. Secondly, it's the soaking. Before decocting, soak the herbs in clear water for 30 minutes to soften them, then heat and decoct them. Do not decoct directly with boiling water, otherwise the protein in the medicine will coagulate quickly, affecting the extraction of effective components in Chinese medicine. As for how much water should be added, it depends on the dosage. Generally, the water level should be slightly higher than the herbs, so that each decoction can be about 150 milliliters. The dosage for children should be less, while for patients with hot diseases, more decoction should be taken appropriately. Pay attention to the fire control during decoction. You can use strong fire before boiling, but after the water boils, you need to use low fire. Meanwhile, pay attention to cover the pot to prevent the volatile components in the medicine from escaping. The decoction time of Chinese medicine also varies according to the nature of the medicine. For example, diaphoretic medicine should not be decocted for a long time. Usually, 15 minutes after boiling is enough; nourishing tonic medicine with thick taste should be decocted for a longer time. After boiling, continue to simmer for about an hour to allow the effective components in the medicine to dissolve better in water. In addition, some highly toxic drugs can reduce or eliminate their toxicity after being decocted for a long time with slow fire, such as Fuzi and raw Pinellia, which should be decocted for a little longer. After the medicine is decocted, the juice should be filtered out while it's still hot. Each dose of medicine is generally decocted twice. Besides, remember that mineral and shellfish Chinese medicine needs to be decocted first, such as Longgu, Gypsum, Magnetite, Gui Ban, etc., which should be decocted for about half an hour first. On the other hand, some fragrant herbs, such as Huo Xiang, should be added later. Herbs that are easy to sink to the bottom, carbonize and糊ify, and difficult to filter, such as Chi Shizhi, can be wrapped in gauze or put into a gauze bag, and then put into the pot for decoction. All precious, small quantity and highly volatile drugs, such as , do not need to be decocted. Just grind the drugs into fine powder and take them with the decocted liquid. For deer antler, etc., in order to reduce loss, they need to be heated and decocted. Some glue and sugar drugs (such as Ejiao and maltose) have high viscosity and foam after dissolving, which may cause bottom carbonization during decoction and affect the extraction of effective components of other drugs, so these drugs should be dissolved in the already decocted liquid. Drugs whose active ingredients are easily extracted, such as末, are best made into slices, put into a covered container, steeped in boiling water and then taken.