The conditions and duration of preserving traditional Chinese medicine are crucial factors for ensuring its efficacy. If the prepared traditional Chinese medicine is vacuum-sealed and stored at 0~5℃, it can be preserved for 7 to 14 days, but it is recommended not to exceed 7 days to prevent a decrease in efficacy or spoilage. When the room temperature is higher, decoctions can only be stored for up to 2 days, while refrigeration can maintain them without spoilage for 7 days. It is important to note that medicinal liquids containing specific ingredients such as scorpions, centipedes, prepared rehmannia, or astragalus may deteriorate more rapidly. If any abnormalities in the liquid are noticed, such as swelling, unusual odors, or bubbles, it should be discarded immediately.
The preservation of dried traditional Chinese medicine is equally important, as the active ingredients will gradually diminish over time, resulting in reduced efficacy. Particularly for medicinal herbs containing volatile oils, lactones, flavonoids, or those prone to insect damage, the typical shelf life is about one year. In contrast, mineral-based medicines have a slightly longer shelf life due to their stable structure but should not exceed ten years. Preventing moisture, insect damage, and mold growth are basic requirements for maintaining the quality of traditional Chinese medicine.
Environmental factors, especially temperature and humidity, are crucial for the preservation of traditional Chinese medicine. High temperatures can cause oil separation, loss of aroma, and deformation of gummy medicinal herbs, whereas temperatures between 20~35 degrees provide breeding conditions for mold and pests. In high humidity environments, drugs are prone to moisture absorption, leading to mold growth. Additionally, oxygen in the air can react with medicinal ingredients, causing discoloration or spoilage.
Common signs of traditional Chinese medicine deterioration include mold growth, fermentation, oil separation, and cloudy precipitation, indicating that the medication is no longer suitable for use. Therefore, understanding and following the correct methods for preserving traditional Chinese medicine are essential for ensuring medication safety and efficacy. Whether it is a decoction or dried medicinal herb, appropriate measures should be taken based on their characteristics to avoid loss of efficacy or the generation of harmful substances due to external conditions.
