Chapter 63 Selling Medicinal Herbs
The method of preparing medicinal materials varies with the type of herb.
Chickweed, for instance, only needs to be washed and dried. Ge Gen root, however, needs to be washed, thoroughly moistened, then sliced and dried.
The grandfather and granddaughter squatted on the ground, first sorting the herbs in the basket. Then, they began to prepare them.
The grandmother saw the two of them squatting on the ground in a row.
She brought two small wooden stools for them and also brought Zhao Zhitong a small basin of water. Following her grandfather’s example, Zhao Zhitong rolled up her sleeves, squatted on the ground, and vigorously washed the herbs.
Sun Kang didn’t help, instead allowing her to do everything herself with occasional guidance.
After washing the Ge Gen root, it was time to start the moistening process.
Zhao Zhitong then asked, "Grandfather, what’s moistening?"
Sun Kang answered, "Moistening is a water treatment process used when slicing medicinal materials. It involves adding appropriate adjuvants, like water, vinegar, rice wine, liquor, rice-washing water, salt water, or honey water, to moisten the herbs in stages until they are uniformly damp with no dry core."
Zhao Zhitong’s herbs were drying separately in a small basket. Her grandfather said that once the herbs were dried, she could take them to the market and sell them with her Eldest Uncle.