The traditional methods of extracting traditional Chinese medicine include water decoction, impregnation, percolation, modified gelatin method, reflux method, etc. Among them, water decoction is a commonly used method. Traditional methods have many drawbacks:

The decoction method results in significant loss of active ingredients, especially water-insoluble components.

During the extraction process, organic solvents may react with the active ingredients, causing them to lose their original efficacy.

The non-active ingredients cannot be removed to the greatest extent, and the concentration rate is not high enough.

In addition to the active ingredients, the extract often contains a large amount of impurities and a small amount of liposoluble components, which is unfavorable for refining.

High-temperature operation can cause a large amount of decomposition of heat-sensitive active ingredients.

Many new technologies and methods have emerged in the field of traditional Chinese medicine extraction and separation, such as supercritical fluid extraction technology, ultrasonic extraction, ultra-high pressure extraction, semi-biomimetic extraction, high-speed centrifugal separation technology, macroporous resin adsorption separation technology, inorganic membrane microfiltration technology, ultrafiltration membrane separation technology, and nanofiltration membrane concentration technology, etc. The application of these new technologies and methods enables the extraction of traditional Chinese medicine to not only conform to the theories of traditional Chinese medicine but also achieve the goal of increasing the yield and purity of active ingredients.