Sperb's Herbs Podcast

Today, we will be exploring another very important Chinese herb: ròu guì, Cinnamomi Cortex, or cinnamon bark. This herb is in the Chinese medical category of herbs that warm the interior and expel cold. It is one of the most important warming herbs in our pharmacopeia as well as a very tasty one. It is important for warming the kidneys and the spleen, as well as the channels, among other important functions.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us for this toasty episode exploring: ròu guì, Cinnamomi Cortex, or cinnamon bark!

Today, we are exploring another herb of the world, Kalahari Cactus or Hoodia gordonii, reported to be useful in losing weight and lowering blood pressure. This is the plant behind one of the biggest weight-loss supplement crazes of the 2000s…and one of the most famous fights ever over indigenous knowledge and who gets paid for it. We will explore these claims and look at the science as well as the safety, history, and traditions of this herb. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we are going to look at biopiracy, benefit sharing, and the Nagoya Protocol.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another white hot and honest discussion of herbs…so please join us as we examine Kalahari Cactus or Hoodia gordonii!

Today, we are going to be looking at another single Chinese herb: shēng jiāng, Zingiberis Rhizoma recens, or fresh ginger rhizome. This herb is in the Chinese medical subcategory of warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior under the category of release the exterior herbs. If it is not the most commonly used herb in Chinese herbology, it is definitely in the top three or five. And as always, we will look at something a little different…we are going to look at how nausea and vomiting works and the drugs that target it.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us as we explore one of our medicine’s most important herbs: shēng jiāng, Zingiberis Rhizoma recens, or fresh ginger rhizome!

Today, we will be exploring another Chinese herbal formula: Bái Hǔ Tāng, or White Tiger Decoction. This formula is in the sub-category of formulas that clear qi-level heat, under the category of formulas that clear heat. It is the classic formula for the raging, “four greats” fever of yang brightness (yangming) channel heat. We will do our usual deep dive: its ingredients, its history and commentary, the science, and our cautions and concerns. Well, just like our last episode, there is so much to cover we just don’t have time to discuss something a little different.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another blazing hot discussion of herbs…so please join us as we explore Bái Hǔ Tāng, or White Tiger Decoction!

Today, we will be exploring another “A list” and very important Chinese herb: huáng qí, Astragali Radix, or Astragalus root. This herb is in the Chinese medical subcategory of herbs that tonify the qi under the category of tonifying herbs. It is one of the most important herbs in our pharmacopeia…maybe even a top ten herb…It is important for tonifying the spleen, qi, and blood, and raising yang, and more! There is so much to cover in this episode, we don’t have time to look at something a little different…

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another engrossing episode, so please join us as we explore huáng qí, Astragali Radix, or Astragalus root!

In this episode, we will be discussing a very popular Western herb: Echinacea purpurea or purple coneflower. This herb is commonly recommended for treating and preventing colds. Does it have other uses? Does it work? Is it safe? How does Chinese medicine interpret its actions? We will answer these questions and more! And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we are going to look at AI again

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another exciting episode, so please join us as we explore Echinacea purpurea or purple coneflower!

In this episode, we are going to be looking at another single Chinese herb: é bù shí cǎo, centipedae herba, or small centipeda herb. This herb is a relatively obscure herb in the Chinese medical subcategory of warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior under the category of release the exterior herbs. Not a very commonly used herb – in fact, it isn’t even included in several of our usual textbooks – but it can be useful… And as always, we will look at something a little different…we are going to look at a biochemical and supplement, quercetin

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another scintillating episode…so please join us as we explore é bù shí cǎo, centipedae herba, or small centipeda herb!

In this episode, we are going to explore the whole category of nourish the yin Chinese formulas. “These formulas are used when the body fluids and essences are damaged such that yin becomes deficient and yang relatively excessive.” (Scheid, et al., 2008, p. 364) This can become more prevalent as we age and can affect women, especially menopausal women, more than men. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we are going to, again, discuss yin and yin vacuity.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another elevating discussion of herbs …so please join us as we explore nourish the yin formulas!

In this episode, we will be exploring another quite important Chinese herb: huáng qín, Scutellariae Radix, or baical skullcap root. This herb is in the Chinese medical subcategory of herbs that clear heat and dry dampness under the category of herbs that clear heat. As one of the “three yellows,” it is a commonly used and useful herb for clearing heat and draining damp in the upper burner as well as many uses in pregnancy including calming the fetus. And as usual, we will be exploring something a little different… we are going to be discussing “butt breathing”…wwwhhaatt?

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another scintillating discussion of herbs…so please join us as we explore huáng qín, Scutellariae Radix, or baical skullcap root!

In this episode, we are exploring another herb of the world: Milk Thistle or Silybum marianum. This is a very common herb used to treat and “cleanse” the liver. But does it work? Is it safe? Who, if anybody, should take it? We will answer these questions and more! And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we will be discussing toxins and cleanses.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another enlightening discussion of herbs…so please join us as we explore Milk Thistle or Silybum marianum!