04-28-25 - Herb I - Introduction to Processing of Chinese Herbal Medicine

Processing Methods of Herbs

• Manual Processing

  • Involves removing contaminants using methods such as brushing, scraping, picking, or sieving.

  • Manually separates desired herbal materials from impurities.

• Liquid Processing

  • Uses liquids (usually water) to soften materials or reduce contaminants.

  • Moistening: A small amount of liquid is used to soften the material or instill properties into it.

  • Rinsing: Washing with running water to eliminate unwanted minerals.

  • Solvent Refining: Uses solvents to dissolve impurities which are then recrystallized.

• Heat Processing

  • Involves using fire or heat, potentially with adjuvants.

  • Types include:

  • Stir Baking (Chao): Commonly used; involves heating the herb until it turns yellow or brown which helps release active ingredients.

  • Carbonizing: Burns the herb completely, enhancing its astringent properties and stopping bleeding.

  • Quick Frying (Pao): High heat cooking that reduces toxicity.

  • Roasting: Cooking herbs in a wrapped form to moderate their effects.

  • Stir Baking with Liquid (K?): Incorporating liquids (like rice wine or honey) during heat treatments, enhancing medicinal properties.

• Calcination

  • Extreme heat applied, often using a kiln or torch; used for minerals and shells.

  • Can involve direct (exposed to heat) or indirect (in a vessel) heating, improves the texture and efficacy of minerals.

• Liquid and Heat Processing

  • Quenching: Rapidly cools heated herbs in liquid to increase brittleness and release active ingredients.

  • Scalding: Briefly placing herbs in boiling water to remove outer coatings for better processing.

  • Steaming: Softens hard materials using water vapors or alcohol for easier cutting and improved storage.

  • Boiling (Kguyuen): Reduces toxicity and enhances efficacy through prolonged boiling.

• Special Methods

  • Methods such as frost powder making, fermentation, sprouting, and germination are also used to change or enhance the properties of herbs.

Properties of Herbs

• Toxicity:

  • All herbs have both healing and harmful potentials; it’s important to use appropriate dosages.

  • Toxicity often varies with processing methods.

• Categories of Properties:

  • Four Natures:

  • Hot and Warm: Treat cold conditions by warming the body.

  • Cool and Cold: Clear heat and replenish fluids.

  • Essential to maintain balance in the body.

  • The Five Flavors:

  • Pungent: Opens nasal passages, helps disperse qi.

  • Sweet: Tonifies deficiencies, harmonizes and stops pain.

  • Bitter: Purges and dries dampness, helps with rebellious qi.

  • Sour: Astringes fluids, can help consolidate and stop leakage.

  • Salty: Softens hard masses and helps with constipation.

Therapeutic Methods

There are Eight Therapeutic Methods for applying herbal medicines:

• Diaphoresis: Inducing sweating.

• Emesis: Inducing vomiting.

• Purgation: Promoting bowel movement.

• Harmonization: Balancing various body systems.

• Warming: Targeting cold conditions.

• Clearing: Removing heat from the body.

• Tonifying: Strengthening the body.

• Reducing: Eliminating pathogens from the body.

Dietary Considerations and Restrictions

• Avoid Cold and Raw Foods: Especially for those with a cold condition, as these foods may aggravate the symptoms.

• Avoid Hot, Greasy Foods: For those with heat conditions to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.

• Pairing with Herbs: Certain food items may counteract the effects of prescribed herbs, such as avoiding raw radishes with ginseng.

• Dietary Changes are Important: Maintaining a healthy digestive system enhances the effectiveness of herbal treatments.