5 Decoctions

5) Decoctions

Decoctions are prepared by boiling herbs in water, filtering out the residue, and then extracting the liquid—this is the most commonly used formulation in traditional Chinese medicine. Most decoctions are taken internally, though some are also used externally or for inhalation. The greatest advantage of internal decoctions is rapid absorption and thorough therapeutic effects, making them ideal for clinical applications where adjustments are needed. They also allow for flexible additions or reductions based on individual symptoms, making them well-suited for TCM’s diagnostic and therapeutic approach. However, decoctions can be inconvenient to prepare and carry, and they often lack the convenience of other formulations, requiring further improvements to enhance their effectiveness.