Some rare and expensive drugs should be simmered or decocted separately so as to prevent their active elements from being absorbed by other drugs when decocted together. For example, Rensheng (Radix
Ginseng) should be cut into small slices and put in a bowl with lid and simmered in the pot for 1- 2 hours. Other rare drugs whose active elements are difficult to be decocted out, such as Lingyangjiao (Cornu Antelopis), Shulniujiao (Cornu Bubali), should be made into thin slices and decocted alone for 2 hours, and taken together with the decoction from other drugs. Otherwise, they can be ground to get fine powder for oral administration together with the decoction from other drugs.
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