A study of Thai Traditional Medicine Knowledge on Preparation of Herbal Medicine in decoction form

Abstract

The objective of this research article was to study the method of preparing herbal medicine in decoction form. It was a qualitative research. The research was conducted using interview methods, semi-structured by studying information from 12 Applied Thai Traditional Medicine and Thai traditional medicine doctors who had experience in caring for patients in Siriraj Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, Mahidol University. The results of the research found that there was a list of two methods for making decoctions, namely boiling and simmering. In explaining the steps for each method, it was found that the details of each person's decoction were different. Even though it was a method specified by the same name. It can be classified into 4 main points, including the amount of water used to make the medicine for the first time, the time used to make decoctions, the strength of the fire used to boil medicine, and how to reheat the medicine for the next taking. In addition, the informants had guidelines for selecting the decoction method based on the parts used of most herbs in that medicine recipe. In cases where the part of the herb used in a medicinal recipe consisted of the heartwood, root, rhizome, and fruit that were usually prepared by boiling and simmering. And if the recipe consisted of pollen, leaves, flowers, including herbs that needed to maintain the scent of essential oils that were usually prepared by boiling. Summary of steps and details of the two methods of decoction obtained from this study. It can be used as a guideline for creating clear guidelines for advising patients on decoctions. Including this research, data can be used to determine the selection of methods and procedures for drug preparation that were the same standard for future research that will study drugs using the decoction format.