When I prescribe herbal medicine in the clinic, there are questions I hear most often: “Can I decoct it at home?” “Should I put it in the refrigerator?” “Can I drink it cold?” For herbal medicine, how it is taken and stored is as important as the prescription itself. I guide each patient according to the purpose of the prescription and their condition, but there are basic principles that are good to remember in common.
Use clean, mild water for decocting
When decocting herbal medicine, clean filtered water is more appropriate than water with a strong odor or many added components. In the past, well water was often used, but these days filtered tap water is generally acceptable. Water with strong alkaline properties or flavored water may affect the extraction and taste of the medicinal ingredients, so it is better to avoid them.
The amount of water varies depending on the prescription amount and decocting time. In general, the basic approach is to add enough water for the herbs to be fully submerged and to watch carefully so the herbs do not burn while boiling. If the Korean medicine clinic has given you separate instructions on the amount of water and decocting time, please follow those instructions first.
Think of storage as you would food
Decocted herbal medicine is made by boiling medicinal herbs obtained from nature, so storage can be managed much like food. Avoid places with direct sunlight, high temperatures, or high humidity. If possible, keep it refrigerated, and after opening the package, do not leave it for a long time; take it within the period you were instructed.
- Store decoction pouches lying flat in the refrigerator
- Avoid places with large temperature changes, such as inside a car, near a heater, or by a window
- If the color or smell is different from usual, or the package is swollen, check with the Korean medicine clinic before taking it
Take it lukewarm
Most decoctions are easier to take when warmed to slightly above body temperature. If it is too hot, it may burden the throat and esophagus, and if it is too cold, it may cause nausea or discomfort in people with a sensitive stomach. For decoctions stored in the refrigerator, I recommend warming them in a water bath or briefly placing the sealed package in warm water.
However, not all herbal medicine is taken the same way. For prescriptions that include certain medicinal herbs, we may give different instructions for temperature or frequency. Especially when a prescription contains herbs with strong properties, the Medical Team’s instructions are important, so please follow the method you were told when prescribed rather than heating or cooling it on your own.
Consultation is recommended in these cases
- When vomiting, severe diarrhea, Urticaria, or breathing discomfort occurs after taking it
- When you are pregnant or breastfeeding and are about to start taking herbal medicine
- When you take regular medications such as blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, or anticoagulants
- When you feel the taste or smell of a decoction has suddenly changed
If you are taking any Western medications, do not stop them on your own, and be sure to tell us during your visit. How to take herbal medicine can vary slightly depending on your condition and the purpose of the prescription. Please follow the basic principles, and check the detailed method that fits your prescription with the Medical Team so you can continue safely.