Liushen Pills Production Technique

Liushen Pills were originally produced by Lei Zichun, a member of the renowned Lei family. During the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, Lei Zifan, another descendant of the Lei family, acquired the recipe for Liushen Pills and expanded its production, gradually building its reputation. Today, Liushen Pills are a celebrated specialty product of Shanghai Leiyunshang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., recognized as a national secret and a protected traditional Chinese medicine. The product has been honored with the National Gold Award three times, in 1979, 1984, and 1989.

Liushen Pills are based on a unique theory of Chinese medicine compatibility. Unlike most traditional formulas that rely on commonly used plant medicines, Liushen Pills incorporate animal and mineral ingredients, which are inherently toxic to some extent. Only a doctor with deep expertise in Chinese medicine theory can craft such a formula, one that not only retains the effective components of these toxic substances but also mitigates their harmful side effects. Compared to other traditional Chinese medicines, Liushen Pills are distinguished by their small dosage and rapid onset of action. The dosage is measured in mere milligrams, and while other treatments may require weeks or months for a full course, Liushen Pills can begin to work within just a day and a half.

The production of Liushen Pills involves meticulous craftsmanship, from material selection to the final process of "Panwan" (pill making). The materials are chosen with great care: pearls are sourced from Honglian Pearls rather than Laoguang Pearls, and the musk used must be "Dangmenzi," referring to the high-quality, high-cost dry secretions from the glandular sacs of musk deer. The toad venom is typically harvested during the rainy seasons of spring and autumn, directly from rural farmers, and the extraction process is guided by experienced pharmacists to ensure the quality of the venom slurry. The "Pan pills" are handcrafted through a series of steps, including molding, demolding, and polishing, resulting in micro-pills that are perfectly round, highly polished, and designed for rapid disintegration. The traditional "Pan pills" process is challenging, especially when creating pills as small as Liushen Pills, comparable to mustard seeds, showcasing the unique craftsmanship involved.

The production process is carefully segmented into procurement, preparation, and selection. Each pharmaceutical worker is responsible for a specific task and is not privy to the duties of others. After each stage of the medicine preparation is completed, the components are handed over to a successor, who then carries out the final synthesis in a closed room, ensuring the integrity and secrecy of the process.