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Raw Chinese Herbs
Raw herbs in TCM are made up of dried parts of different herbs, such as the root, stem, leaf, seeds or flower. Traditionally a Chinese herbal formula is made up of a collection of different herbs, all serving its own unique purpose within the formula, to match with the different patterns or imbalances in your body identified by the practitioner . Usually there is a "King" herb, which is the herb that's function is considered the main focus for the formula, followed by other herbs in secondary smaller doses to fulfill different purposes like balancing the formula.
The herbs are cooked in a method called a "decoction" which is much like simmering a soup. In TCM there are many similar values between using food as medicine and using herbs as medicine.
How to prepare raw Chinese herbal medicine:
Please Note:
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Herb doses should be taken at least 4 hrs apart, preferably morning and evening
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Herbs should be taken at least 30mins before or after food
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Herbs should be taken at least 30mins apart from other medicines
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Herbs should not be cooked in a metal pot (cast iron, copper, aluminum) as they can react with these metals. Preferably use glass (Pyrex), ceramic, or clay pots, stainless steel will also work if you don't have an alternative.
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Cooking the Herbs:
Give your herbs a quick rinse. After that, put your herbs in the pot and add enough water to cover by about two inches. It is optional to soak the herbs at this point for about 15 -30 minutes without heat. After the optional soak, turn on the heat to medium-high and bring the herbs to a boil. After coming to a boil, reduce the flame so that your herb “soup” is at a simmer. Generally you want to cook until the volume of the liquid is reduced by about 1/3. This should take anywhere from 20-45 minutes depending on what’s in the formula and how much water you have, also temperature of simmering.
Your prescribing acupuncturist/herbalist should provide you with instructions for any herbs which require special treatment.
Strain the Herbs:
Once the herbs have cooked, strain off the liquid into a vessel, to eventually store in a large mason jar.
If you like to get the most out of your herbs you may cook the herbs for a second round (skipping the soaking period). This second cooking draws out many of the deeper properties of the formula. Combine the second round of cooking liquid with the first in your mason jar(s).
Drinking the Herbs:
Consume your first dose (1 cup of warm decocted herbal liquid), and store the rest in a mason jar in the fridge until it's time for your second dose later that day.
If you have questions please feel free to contact Alison.
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