Decoct the medicine with water, filter off the residue, and take its clear juice, which is called "soup". In clinic, decoction is the most widely used. Decoction is more suitable for acute diseases because of its fast absorption, strong effect, all-encompassing and cleaning effect.

Similar to soup medicine, there are decoction and drinks. The "decoction" agent is to remove the residue from the decoction and re-fry it into thick juice. Generally suitable for nourishing sticky things, it must be decocted for a long time, and the medicine is mellow. Under the condition of no dosage limit, it can replace tea for cold use or frequent drinking, which is called "drinking" agent. Drink and decoction are only given in different ways, so they are also named after "drink".