Sperb's Herbs Podcast

Today, we are going to be looking at another Chinese herb: cang er cao, xanthium or cockleburr. If this sounds familiar, we have discussed cang er zi or xanthium fruit when we discussed the formula cang er zi san or xanthium powder. That formula used the fruit of this plant, in this episode we will discuss the whole plant. Is there a difference in functions? Toxicity? Why would we use one instead of the other? Let’s find out the answers to these questions. And as always, we will look at something a little different…Today we are looking the only organ in Chinese medicine that is not in Western or biomedicine: the triple burner or san jiao. Please join us as we go in depth to learn about cang er cao (Xanthium Herb).

This episode is quite a special one: it is our 50th episode! We will be covering a very interesting, and one of my favorite, formulas: xue fu zhu yu tang or drive out stasis from the mansion of blood decoction. This is a great formula for pain in the chest and I frequently use a modification for treating low back pain in many of my patients.  We will, as usual, cover the basics of Chinese herbology including category, and functions, and explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode: we are continuing of our discussion of famous doctors with a more modern Chinese physician, Wāng Qíng-Rèn. Please join us as we explore Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive Out Stasis from the Mansion of Blood Decoction).

This episode covers the Chinese herb Dan Dou Chi (Prepared Soybean). This is not only a relatively common herb, it is also a very common food. Besides covering the basics of Chinese herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. This episode we dive into one of the absolutely fundamental concepts in Chinese medicine and Chinese thought: the Wǔ Xíng or Five Phases (also translated as the Five Elements). Please join us as we explore Dan Dou Chi (Prepared Soybean).

This episode covers the common herb Valerian. This is common and ancient herb with a good amount of scientific evidence. As usual, we will cover the basics of Valerian including its category, functions, history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. This episode is really cutting edge as we examine the question, can artificial intelligence help us understand herbs? Please join us as we learn about Valerian and AI!

This episode covers the Chinese herb Yin Yang Huo (Epimedi). This is one of my favorite Chinese herbs: yín yáng huò or epimedium. The origin story for this herb gives the fifth grader in me giggles. Despite that, this is a very interesting, powerful, and useful herb. And as always, we will look at something a little different…today, we will look at the four great masters of the Jin-Yuan dynasties.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of Chinese herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. Please join us as we learn about Yin Yang Huo (Epimedi).

This episode covers the Chinese formula Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Saposhnikovia Powder that Sagely Unblocks). This is an interesting formula that both releases the exterior and purges the interior. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of Chinese herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. In this episode we introduce one of the medical giants of  Renaissance, Andreas Vesalius. Please join us as we learn about Fang Feng Tong Sheng San (Saposhnikovia Powder that Sagely Unblocks).

This episode covers a historically, if not currently, important herb with ramifications in alchemy and the basis of chemistry: Zhu Sha (Cinnabar). Each episode covers another traditional herb from somewhere in the world and goes into great depth about it. Besides covering the basics of the herb including its traditional use and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. This episode discusses alchemy in China and explains nei dan (internal alchemy) and wai dan (external alchemy). Please join us for our latest herbal and historical exploration!

This episode covers the very popular and very different Ayurvedic "herb" Shilajit. Each episode covers another traditional herb from somewhere in the world and goes into great depth about it. Besides covering the basics of the herb including its traditional use and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. This episode continues our discussion of great physicians of the world by talking about one of, if no the, greatest Ayurvedic doctor in history: Sushruta. Please join us for our latest herbal exploration!

This episode covers the pretty obscure Chinese herb Zao Xin Tu (Furnace Soil). 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. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. This episode discusses a recently discovered prescriptions from a prominent Buddhist physician, Jianzhen, who helped establish kampo Japanese herbal medicine. Please join us for this exciting episode!

This episode covers the very useful Chinese formula Cang Er Zi San (Xanthium Powder). 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. And then there is always something a little quirky about an episode. This episodes continues our exploration of the greatest doctors in the history of the world with one of the most important Chinese doctors of all time, Sun Si Miao. Please join us for this exciting episode!