Filling a formula on at the Herbal Medicinary recently, a student in my class pointed out a white discoloration on several pieces of an herb called Cang Zhu. “Is this mold?” I took a look. Sure enough, a white patch spreading outward at various spots on some, but not all, of the Cang Zhu pieces in … More Mold? Or Crystals? The case of Cang Zhu
Ginseng root is one of the most well-known herbs used in Chinese medicine. Almost everyone has heard about it and has the impression that it can be very expensive. This past January, Planet Money did a podcast about the huge variety in the pricing of American ginseng, depending on its perceived quality. Although often thought … More The Price of Ginseng
In addition to my private practice, I’m lucky to be able to work part-time at one of the top colleges in the country for acupuncture and Chinese medicine. This school runs the largest medicinary in the Pacific Northwest that is dedicated solely to Chinese herbs. While I was in school there I worked in the … More Spring term at the Herbal Medicinary
Often in the fall I’ll take a bottle of a traditional formula called Jade Windscreen Powder to boost immunity for the winter. Jade because it is precious, Windscreen because it protects you from invading illness (Wind). Powder because, as we’ll see, the herbs are meant to be ground up before cooking. (I’ve mentioned this formula in a previous … More Preparing a “San” – Jade Windscreen Powder
Today marks the Autumn Equinox: from now on the days will be getting shorter as we head towards the long nights of the winter. This is seen in Chinese philosophy as the natural waxing and waning of Yin and Yang: the Yin nights lengthen and the Yang of day shortens as we approach the Yin season of … More Jade Wind Screen for Autumn
I’ve had previous blog posts about how herbs are stored, prescribed and dispensed in a Chinese hospital and how they are displayed and sold in markets. Now for the very back end of the herbal tale – the farming and processing of Chinese herbs. I don’t have any pictures from the industrial herb processing factory … More Bozhou – Herb Farm & Processing Plant
The Old Market is by our hotel. It’s a series of alleys lined with herb shops, centered around a courtyard square that has another statue of Hua Tuo in it. This courtyard was a flat and relatively quiet spot for a few classmates and I to practice tai chi one evening, but it was bustling with … More Bozhou! – Herb Markets: Old, New, & Illegal
I’m quite excited to leave for Bozhou tomorrow morning to check out the herb markets. Although it’s a small town by Chinese standards (3 million people!) it is central for sourcing of Chinese herbs. Dr. Xue, who also happens to be the head honcho (overall director) of Qin Huai Hospital, has been there multiple times … More Qin Huai Hospital Shift – Herbs!
Brush Knee & Push 