What kind of water is used for Chinese medicine? Revealing the best choice of water for decoction
In recent years, with the popularization of traditional Chinese medicine culture, more and more people have begun to pay attention to the decoction method of traditional Chinese medicine. Among them, the choice of water for decoction has become a hot topic. This article will combine the popular discussions on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the scientific basis and traditional wisdom for decoction of medicinal water.
1. The importance of water for decoction of medicines
During the decoction process of traditional Chinese medicine, the water quality directly affects the efficacy of the medicine. The ancients said: "Water is the first of a hundred medicines", which shows its importance. Modern research also shows that different water quality will affect the dissolution rate and stability of pharmaceutical ingredients.
| Water quality type | Features | Applicable situations |
|---|---|---|
| tap water | Convenient and easy to obtain, contains a small amount of disinfectant | Common medicine decoction |
| purified water | No impurities, no minerals | Drugs that require precise control of ingredients |
| mineral water | Contains various minerals | Decoction of tonic drugs |
| distilled water | Pure and free of impurities | Preparation of topical drugs |
| rain/snow | "Tian Shui" respected by the ancients | Traditional special recipe |
2. The influence of different water quality on medicinal efficacy
1.tap water: The most commonly used water for decoction, but the chlorine content in tap water in some areas is high, which may affect some medicinal ingredients. It is recommended to let it sit for 30 minutes after boiling before use.
2.purified water: Suitable for decoction of medicines that require precise control of ingredients, such as toxic medicinal materials. But a lack of minerals may affect the dissolution of some medications.
3.mineral water: Rich in minerals, suitable for tonic drugs, but some minerals may react with drug ingredients, so please follow your doctor's advice.
4.traditional water: Ancient doctors praised "heavenly water" such as rain and snow water, believing that their nature and taste are mild. These water sources may be contaminated in modern environments and direct use is not recommended.
| drug type | Recommended water | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| Tonic drugs | mineral water | Avoid high-calcium mineral waters |
| Tablet-relieving drugs | tap water | Boil to remove chlorine |
| toxic drugs | purified water | Strictly control quantity |
| topical medications | distilled water | Ensure sterility |
3. New discoveries in modern research
Recent studies have shown that the pH value of water has a significant impact on the extraction of traditional Chinese medicine ingredients. For example:
1. Acidic water (pH 5-6) is more suitable for extracting flavonoids
2. Neutral water (pH7) is suitable for the extraction of most alkaloids
3. Weakly alkaline water (pH7.5-8) helps to dissolve certain glycosides
4. Practical suggestions
1. Boiled tap water can be used for daily decoction, which is economical and economical.
2. For expensive medicines or special formulas, it is recommended to consult a Chinese medicine practitioner to choose appropriate water quality.
3. Avoid using water that has been boiled repeatedly as its oxygen content decreases.
4. The amount of decoction liquid is generally 5-8 times of the medicinal materials. For special medicinal materials, follow the doctor’s advice.
5. Hot topics discussed by netizens
Hot topics of online discussion in the past 10 days:
| topic | Discussion popularity | Main point |
|---|---|---|
| Is decoction in mineral water better? | high | Opinions are divided. Some people believe that minerals can help medicines work, while others are worried about interactions. |
| The modern replacement of ancient "Tian Shui" | in | Most people believe that it is difficult to replicate the water conditions of ancient people in the modern environment. |
| Can water treated by a water softener be used to cook medicine? | high | Experts recommend avoiding it because the sodium content may be too high |
| Effects of water quality differences in different regions on medicinal efficacy | in | It is generally believed that regional water quality characteristics should be considered |
Conclusion
Decoction of medicinal water may seem simple, but in fact it contains rich knowledge. Choosing the right water quality can not only give full play to the efficacy of the medicine, but also avoid unnecessary side effects. It is recommended to choose the most suitable medicinal water for decoction according to the specific medicine and personal constitution under the guidance of professional Chinese medicine practitioners.
With the development of science and technology, more special decoctions for different traditional Chinese medicine formulas may appear in the future, which will become one of the important directions in modern research on traditional Chinese medicine.
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