What is the difference between pills, soup, powder, ointment and Dan in traditional Chinese medicine?

Traditional Chinese medicine has different dosage forms, such as pill, soup, powder, ointment and Dan, which is related to their onset time and pharmacological action. The pronunciation of "pill" is very similar to the pronunciation of "slow" in dialect, so all pills come slowly, but they can last for a long time. The pronunciation of "soup" is quite similar to that of "swing", so the efficacy of soup comes faster than that of pills. "San" means dispersion, so it is often used to treat chronic diseases. "Ointment" is a formula of traditional Chinese medicine, which means nourishing ointment. It is used for oral administration and has the function of nourishing and strengthening the body. Dani refers to ancient minerals. Traditional Chinese medicine refined from minerals is often called "Dan".