A special method of decocting Chinese medicine: stewing in water

When it comes to Chinese medicine decoction methods, decocting first and adding later are the most widely known. However, there is a special decocting method recorded in the "Chinese Pharmacopoeia" that may be less known, which is "stewing in water".

So, what is "stewed in water"?

Stewing in water is a method of putting medicinal materials and clean water or rice wine into a container, covering it, and then placing the container into a pot of water, heating it over a low heat for a long time to obtain the medicinal ingredients.

What are the advantages of “stewing in water”?

When stewing in water, there are three layers between the medicinal materials and the heat source: the pot in direct contact with the heat source, the water in the pot, and the wall of the container holding the medicine. The heat is transferred from the heat source to the container holding the medicine more gently. When the water in the pot reaches boiling, the medicinal liquid in the container holding the medicine is in a gentle simmering state at the critical 100°C, so that some temperature-sensitive ingredients in the medicine will not be destroyed due to the high water temperature and are easier to preserve.

This method is more suitable for some delicate medicinal materials or those whose ingredients are sensitive to heat.

From the appearance, the medicinal liquid stewed in water is clearer.

What is the operation method of watertight stewing?

(1) Place the medicine in a stewing pot or other porcelain or ceramic containers, but avoid iron containers.

(2) Add water or rice wine into the container and seal it with paper or cover it with a lid that has a good seal.

(3) Place the bowl or container in a pot of water (the water in the pot should be lower than the top of the container, and the boiling water should not immerse it), and heat the water. Usually, the stewing time is about 1-2 hours.

Examples of stewing Chinese medicine in water

The Chinese Pharmacopoeia records that the golden buckwheat can be stewed with water or rice wine. The medicine has the functions of clearing away heat and detoxifying, discharging pus and removing blood stasis. It is an important medicine for treating lung abscesses with thick and fishy sputum. It can be used to treat lung abscesses, measles pneumonia, and peritonsillar abscesses. It can be used in combination with reed root, houttuynia cordata, and patrinia chinensis.

In some areas in southern my country, it has been found that the use of golden buckwheat to treat lung abscess (lung carbuncle) is very effective, but it must be stewed in water and the juice must be decocted; if it is added with water, the effect will not be obvious.

Another report said that 250g of golden buckwheat was placed in a clay pot, and 1250mL of water or rice wine was added. The pot was sealed and steamed for 3 hours over low heat to obtain 1000mL of pure juice, which was taken 3 times a day, 40mL each time, and had a significant effect in treating lung abscess.