Should I Use an Aluminum Pot to Boil Chinese Herbal Medicine?
It is best not to use aluminum pots for boiling traditional Chinese medicine, because under high temperatures, aluminum ions in aluminum pots are easily decomposed and enter the human body, which can easily damage the nervous system and lead to cognitive disorders such as dementia. Clay pots are the best choice for boiling traditional Chinese medicine, as they have stable chemical properties and high-temperature conditions will not affect the medicinal effects of the drugs. Nowadays, clay pots are commonly used for boiling traditional Chinese medicine.
Using aluminum pots to boil traditional Chinese medicine is not recommended due to their significant disadvantages. Under high temperatures, aluminum ions in aluminum pots are easily decomposed. When combined with the acidic or alkaline properties of traditional Chinese medicine, a large amount of aluminum ions can enter the body. Long-term use can damage the nervous system, leading to memory loss, rapid aging of the nervous system, and even a series of cognitive disorders such as dementia in middle-aged and elderly patients.
Clay pots are made of special clay through high-temperature firing and contain a large amount of silicate components. This material has very stable chemical properties and generally does not undergo specific chemical reactions with other substances, even under high temperatures. Therefore, using clay pots will not affect the medicinal effects of traditional Chinese medicine decoctions.
