To meet the needs of modern Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinical practices and prescription changes, traditional decoction pieces can no longer satisfy or adapt to people's demands. Instead, TCM formula granules, made using advanced processes such as scientific extraction, low-temperature concentration, and spray drying, have emerged as a new type of TCM. Because they do not require decoction, they are convenient, have stable efficacy, and are increasingly accepted by people. TCM formula granule products are a foundation for further inheriting and promoting the advantages and characteristics of TCM. By fully utilizing modern scientific and technological methods and means, and through the application of high-tech, they serve as a new way for TCM clinical practice. Their development aligns with modern lifestyles, making the TCM formula granule industry a sub-industry that is expected to replace traditional decoction pieces in the future, with an annual growth rate of 40% to 50% and vast development potential.

TCM formula granules are granules made from single-flavor TCM decoction pieces, extracted and concentrated for use in TCM clinical prescriptions. Domestically, they were previously referred to as single-flavor TCM concentrated granules. Other commercial names and colloquial terms include decoction-free TCM decoction pieces, new decoction pieces, refined decoction pieces, beverage-type decoction pieces, and scientific TCM. They are made from traditional TCM decoction pieces as raw materials and processed through extraction, separation, concentration, drying, granulation, and packaging into a new type of prescription medication with uniform specifications, dosage, and quality standards. Conceptually, single-flavor TCM formula granules are a series of pure TCM products made from traditional TCM decoction pieces that comply with processing norms, extracted, concentrated, separated, dried, granulated, and packaged using modern pharmaceutical technology. They retain all the characteristics of the original TCM decoction pieces, allowing physicians to conduct syndrome differentiation and treatment adjustments with strong and effective medicinal properties. Additionally, they do not require decoction, can be directly dissolved for consumption, have a small dosage, act quickly, have complete ingredients, provide precise efficacy, are safe and hygienic, easy to carry and store, simple to prepare, and suitable for industrial production.

In recent years, TCM formula granules have developed rapidly in countries and regions such as the United States, Europe, Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. In South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, they are not only meeting local demand but are also heavily exported. The modernization of TCM in China is severely lagging, and the promotion of TCM formula granules is extremely slow. However, their active ingredients, nature, flavor, meridian entry, indications, and efficacy are entirely consistent with traditional TCM decoction pieces, maintaining all the characteristics of traditional TCM decoction pieces. They ensure the traditional TCM roles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and envoy in syndrome differentiation and treatment, with flexible adjustments, superior to patent medicines. They also eliminate the trouble of traditional decoction for patients, and single-flavor granules can be flexibly dissolved for consumption, being hygienic and effective.