Chinese Herbalist

Went to the Chinese Herbalist today to pick up meds for my cold.. After you boil w/ 4 bowls of water then simmer to reduce to 1 bowl, it looks like dirt water..and tastes even worst. (Tried taking these shots at night in my brightly lit dining area, but still needed the use of a flash..so these are a bit overexposed..)
This is what's left in the bowl..dirt.. But don't knock it..it works!