Decoction, Common Forms of TCM Prescriptions
It refers to the medicinal solution obtained by removing the dregs after soaking and decocting the prepared herbal pieces in water for a period of time. It is chiefly for oral administration, e.g., Mahuang Tang, Guizhi Tang, etc. Besides it can be applied externally for washing, steaming and gargling. It bears the characteristics of being easily absorbed and producing quick curative effects. It is especially suitable for serious or unsteady cases. And it can be modified according to the changes of disease.

It can meet the need of treatment based on syndrome differentiation, so it is one of the forms most widely used inclinical practice. Nevertheless it has its disadvantages. Firstly, it needs to be taken in large amount, and the effective compositions of some drugs are difficult to extract and easy to volatilize. Secondly, it takes a longer time to boil the drugs and thus it is not beneficial to the rescue work of critical patients. Thirdly, it is inconvenient to carry and difficult for children to take for its bitter taste.