bioavailability of raw, ground herb

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[Guest guest]

Hello Pamela,

 

I too have invested in an herb grinder and have found it tremendously

helpful in the administration and preparation of some herbs (particularly

dense, heavier, less leafy, herbs). I have experimented with making my

own pills also. I'm wondering: have you or anyone else, found a

time-efficient way to make the honey pills? I love making them, but it

takes ages to do and isn't practical. Also, have you found the best way

to make the pills which DO NOT call for honey as a medium, but use just

water (i.e. Bao He Wan, Zuo Jin Wan)? I've noticed that many " Wan "

formulas specify the use of water as a binder, others call for ginger

juice (i.e. Liang Fu Wan) or wine as the binder (i.e. Liu Shen Wan).

 

Also, let me know if you find anything more out about the bioavailability

of raw, powdered herbs, since this information is crucial to those who

make pills.

 

Pamela Zilavy <yinyang writes:

 

I have many questions about the subject of bioavailability of active

ingredient in raw, powder herbs versus the decoction process. A group of

my colleagues recently invested in grinders, and we are finding out what

formulas are viable without decocting, for example, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan,

Zhi Gan Cao Tang can be made by taking raw herbs, grinding them, and

mixing with honey to make honeyballs. Some teachers saythat any " Wan " can

be made into honeyballs without

first decocting. Does this group agree?

 

I understand that some herb powder manufacturers first decoct, then dry,

then freeze dry and package their powders, like KPC. Other

manufacturers

simply grind raw herb to powder and package, like Kan. Ergo, Kan

products

do not adhere to the " any Wan " concept.

 

Practitioners appear to be all over the board on this one. As I am

just

now graduating, I appreciate any input on this subject.

 

-pz

[Guest guest]

Hi Peter and Pamela,

I also have been grinding herbs/formulas for some years now. I like the

idea of making the pills but have'nt attempted it yet - too much work. I

just dispense them as powders which the Px can make into a draft with hot

water or if they dont like the taste, into a paste/pill. This has been

satisfactory to date but I would consider making a pill if it could be done

easily.

I can make a very fine powder by first drying the herbs. They are then

pre-processed in a " coffee grinder on steroids " ie. a 300gm bowl grinder,

then fine ground in a flow-through type grinder.

I have found a few formulas that are superior in action as a " San " ,

particularly the aromatic phlegm and damp formulas. Some of these I have

been able to compare the effect between decoction, pill(patent) and powder.

As to bioavailability I only have anecdotal evidence. My experience is 60gm

of powder per week appears to equal the results obtained with the soups.

This is of course a generalization, some formulas require much more.

Graham

 

 

 

 

 

> Hello Pamela,

>

> I too have invested in an herb grinder and have found it tremendously

> helpful in the administration and preparation of some herbs (particularly

> dense, heavier, less leafy, herbs). I have experimented with making my

> own pills also. I'm wondering: have you or anyone else, found a

> time-efficient way to make the honey pills? I love making them, but it

> takes ages to do and isn't practical. Also, have you found the best way

> to make the pills which DO NOT call for honey as a medium, but use just

> water (i.e. Bao He Wan, Zuo Jin Wan)? I've noticed that many " Wan "

> formulas specify the use of water as a binder, others call for ginger

> juice (i.e. Liang Fu Wan) or wine as the binder (i.e. Liu Shen Wan).

>

> Also, let me know if you find anything more out about the bioavailability

> of raw, powdered herbs, since this information is crucial to those who

> make pills.

>

> Pamela Zilavy <yinyang writes:

>

> I have many questions about the subject of bioavailability of active

> ingredient in raw, powder herbs versus the decoction process. A group of

> my colleagues recently invested in grinders, and we are finding out what

> formulas are viable without decocting, for example, Liu Wei Di Huang Wan,

> Zhi Gan Cao Tang can be made by taking raw herbs, grinding them, and

> mixing with honey to make honeyballs. Some teachers saythat any " Wan " can

> be made into honeyballs without

> first decocting. Does this group agree?

>

> I understand that some herb powder manufacturers first decoct, then dry,

> then freeze dry and package their powders, like KPC. Other

> manufacturers

> simply grind raw herb to powder and package, like Kan. Ergo, Kan

> products

> do not adhere to the " any Wan " concept.

>

> Practitioners appear to be all over the board on this one. As I am

> just

> now graduating, I appreciate any input on this subject.

>

> -pz

>

>

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> Chronic Diseases Heal - Chinese Herbs Can Help

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Graham,

 

Thanks for the response, it was helpful. I'm wondering what a

" flow-through " grinder is. Why do you use it? Is it necessary for

powdered administration? If so, where did you get it? Thanks,

 

 

Peter

[Guest guest]

Graham, I will be going to mainland China probably at the end of this year

so if you or others would email me herbal or acupuncture manufacturing

equipment I would love to visit the factories, possibly purchase something.

 

Thanks

Ed Kasper L.Ac.,

417 Laurent St.

Santa Cruz, CA. 95060

 

fax or voice mail (520) 832-2204

Health

 

 

 

Graham Jellett [GJellett]

Thursday, March 09, 2000 9:51 PM

 

Re: bioavailability of raw, ground herb

 

 

" Graham Jellett " <GJellett

 

Hi Peter,

The flow-through grinder has a cloth bag attached to collect the powder.

The herbs are fed down a central chute onto the blades which are in a small

grinding chamber. There is a narrow, adjustable, escape slot around the

chute that allows the powder to enter upwards to a larger chamber which in

turn has the opening to the bag.

 

No it isn't necessary. I use it because it gives a superbly fine powder and

I dispense the formulas as powders. This makes them more palatable(less

revolting). I purchased it from a local herb importer (Vietnamese) in

Melbourne Australia. It is made in mainland China. I can find out more

details if you like.

 

 

 

 

> Hi Graham,

>

> Thanks for the response, it was helpful. I'm wondering what a

> " flow-through " grinder is. Why do you use it? Is it necessary for

> powdered administration? If so, where did you get it? Thanks,

>

>

> Peter

 

 

 

------

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Intro or 9.9% Fixed APR and no hidden fees. Apply NOW!

http://click./1/937/4/_/542111/_/952653931/

------

 

Chronic Diseases Heal - Chinese Herbs Can Help

[Guest guest]

Hi Peter,

The flow-through grinder has a cloth bag attached to collect the powder.

The herbs are fed down a central chute onto the blades which are in a small

grinding chamber. There is a narrow, adjustable, escape slot around the

chute that allows the powder to enter upwards to a larger chamber which in

turn has the opening to the bag.

 

No it isn't necessary. I use it because it gives a superbly fine powder and

I dispense the formulas as powders. This makes them more palatable(less

revolting). I purchased it from a local herb importer (Vietnamese) in

Melbourne Australia. It is made in mainland China. I can find out more

details if you like.

 

 

 

 

> Hi Graham,

>

> Thanks for the response, it was helpful. I'm wondering what a

> " flow-through " grinder is. Why do you use it? Is it necessary for

> powdered administration? If so, where did you get it? Thanks,

>

>

> Peter

[Guest guest]

Hello Graham

I too would like to find a good flow thru grinder any help greatly

appreciated

Richard Campbell

TAO Clinic

Port Charlotte, FL.