3 Granules

3) Granules

Herbs are finely ground, either formed into powder or mixed with water, honey, or powdered binders to create spherical granules. Although easier to take, granules contain smaller doses of raw herbs and are absorbed more slowly, making them more suitable for chronic conditions requiring long-term treatment. However, some potent medicines are also prepared in granule form to ensure gradual dissolution and absorption, avoiding irritation to the gastrointestinal tract—such as Shu Zao Wan and Ding Dang Wan. Other aromatic herbs, like musk and borneol, are not suitable for decocting and are often used in emergency situations, requiring preparation into granules for timely use. A disadvantage of granules is that the active ingredients are not fully extracted, leaving the herbs in their original form; taking small doses may result in insufficient efficacy, while larger doses can interfere with digestion and affect therapeutic outcomes, thereby limiting their clinical application. Commonly used granule types include:

• ① Honey granules (made with honey): Used for chronic nourishment, such as Gui Pi Wan, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, and Shi Quan Da Bu Wan.
• ② Flour granules (made with flour paste): Used for powerful, high-dose formulations, such as Ding Dang Wan and Da Huang He Chong Wan.
• ③ Water granules (made with water decoction): Used for stomach health and digestion, such as Xiang Sha Li Jun Wan and Yue Ju Bao He Wan.

Granule sizes vary; honey granules are the largest, weighing up to 6 grams, while flour granules and water granules are smaller, such as the size of a wu zi or a green bean. Some granules contain highly toxic substances and are typically very small—like Liu Shen Wan, which can contain up to 15,000 pills per dose.