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When decocting herbal medicines for liquid preparations, one must first boil the sovereign drug (the main therapeutic agent) for a few boiling periods. Subsequently, add the remaining herbs and simmer slowly over a gentle fire until properly decocted. Do not lift the lid; remove the pot from heat and place it in cool water to cool down to a warm temperature before administration. This prevents the loss of aroma and efficacy. If the lid is lifted while hot and the liquid poured out, the medicinal qi will dissipate, and the properties will be incomplete. Avoid using high heat during decoction, as vigorous boiling consumes and erodes the herbs, causing rapid evaporation. This results in incomplete extraction of medicinal properties and impure aroma. Many households suffer from this error yet blame the ineffectiveness of the medicine; who should bear the responsibility?

For diaphoretic herbs (herbs that induce sweating), such as Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄), boil for two or three periods first, then add other herbs to decoct together.
For antihidrotic herbs (herbs that stop sweating), such as Cinnamomi Ramulus (Guizhi, 桂枝), boil for two or three periods first, then add other herbs to decoct together.
For harmonizing herbs, such as Bupleuri Radix (Chaihu, 柴胡), boil first, then add other herbs. For warming herbs, such as Zingiberis Rhizoma (Ganjiang, 干姜), boil first. For blood-invigorating herbs, such as Persicae Semen (Taoren, 桃仁), boil first. For diuretic herbs, such as Polyporus (Zuling, 猪苓), boil first. For antidiarrheal herbs, such as Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (Baizhu, 白术) and Poria (Fuling, 茯苓), boil first. For thirst-quenching herbs, such as Platycodonis Radix (Tianhuafen, 天花粉) and Puerariae Radix (Gegen, 干葛), boil first. For dampness-resolving herbs, such as Atractylodis Rhizoma (Cangzhu, 苍术) and Stephaniae Tetrandrae Radix (Fangji, 防己), boil first. For jaundice-clearing herbs, such as Artemisiae Scopariae Herba (Yinchen, 茵陈), boil first. For antiemetic herbs, such as Pinelliae Rhizoma (Banxia, 半夏) and Zingiberis Recens Rhizoma (Shengjiang, 生姜), boil first. For wind-dispelling herbs, such as Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng, 防风) and Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix (Qianghuo, 羌活), boil first. For summerheat-resolving herbs, such as Elsholtziae Herba (Xiangru, 香薷), boil first. For heat-clearing herbs, such as Coptidis Rhizoma (Huanglian, 黄连), boil first. In all therapeutic formulas, the sovereign drug must be boiled first to ensure efficacy.

When using Ephedrae Herba (Mahuang, 麻黄) in decoctions, boil it separately for two or three periods, skim off the foam on the surface, add water to restore the original volume, and then add the other ingredients. Otherwise, it may cause restlessness and irritability.

When using Rhei Radix et Rhizoma (Dahuang, 大黄), there is no need to cut it finely. Soak it in wine until thoroughly moistened, cover tightly overnight, and decoct in the morning. Add it near the end of the boiling process, cook for two or three periods, and remove from heat. This method ensures potent efficacy and rapid purgative action. If used in pills, slight steaming is recommended to prevent cold nature from damaging the stomach.

When using Donkey-hide Gelatin (Ejiao, 阿胶), Maltose (Yitang, 饴糖), or Mirabilite (Mangxiao, 芒硝) in decoctions, wait until the decoction is finished and strained. Add these substances only to the clear liquid, boil for two or three periods until fully dissolved, and then pour into a cup for consumption.

When using fruit seeds in decoctions, such as Jujubae Fructus (Ganzao, 干枣), Nelumbinis Semen (Lianzi, 莲子), Pruni Semen Armeniacae Amarum (Wumeiren, 乌梅仁), Cassiae Semen (Juemingzi, 决明子), Celosiae Semen (Qingxiangzi, 青葙), Viticis Fructus (Manjingzi, 蔓荆), Raphani Semen (Luobozhongzi, 萝卜子), Sinapis Semen (Jiezi, 芥子), Perillae Fructus (Suzhongzi, 苏子), and Allii Tuberosi Semen (Jiuzhongzi, 韭子), they must be cracked or ground before decoction to release their flavors. If not crushed, like rice grains in husks, even boiling all day will not extract the essence. For kernels such as Persicae Semen (Taoren, 桃仁) and Armeniacae Semen (Xingren, 杏仁), soak in hot water, remove skins and tips, discard double-kernel varieties, crush into paste, stir-fry until yellow, or use raw, as appropriate.

When using Amomum Fructus Rotundus (Sharen, 砂仁), Cardamomi Fructus (Doukou, 豆蔻), or Ligni Aquilariae Resinatus (Dingxiang, 丁香), etc., crush them and add late in the process. Boil for a few periods and remove. Prolonged boiling dissipates their aromatic properties, reducing efficacy.

When using Cornu Bubali (Xijiao, 犀角) or Cornu Saigae Tataricae (Lingyangjiao, 羚羊角), grind them into fine powder. Add to the decoction just before administration. Alternatively, grind fresh with juice and add to the medicine; this method is also acceptable.

When using Agarwood (Chenxiang, 沉香), Costus Root (Muxiang, 木香), Olibanum (Ruxiang, 乳香), or Myrrha (Moyao, 没药), and other aromatic powders, grind them extremely fine. After the decoction is hot, pour out a small cup of the liquid, mix with the aromatic powder, consume this mixture first, and then drink the rest of the decoction.

For initial decoction, use low heat to bring the liquid to a gentle boil. Water quantity depends on the prescription: generally, for two taels of herbs, use ten dou of water, reduce to four sheng. This serves as the standard. For purgative decoctions, use less water to obtain more concentrated liquid. For tonic decoctions, use more water to obtain less concentrated liquid. Decoctions should be consumed warm; hot liquids are easier to swallow, while cold liquids may induce vomiting.

All herbal decoctions should preferably use sweet, clear spring water from mountains. Flowing river water is secondary. Well water should not be used.