bioavailability of raw, ground herb

[Guest guest]

Hi Pamela,

Message received.

 

Apologies for the dealy in responding, I've been away at a folk music festival.

Re your question on the additions - I don't know. I've not used those herbs as powders yet. However I think they will be OK. I have used Shi Gao and Hua Shi a lot in formulas and as a single 'herb'. No problems at all. There are a lot of practitioners here in Melbourne that use only powders. The only precaution is with herbs that are listed as toxic. For these, pre-preparation (Pao Zhi) can eliminate the toxicity.

eg. Cang Er Zi must be dry fried - even before using in a decoction. I hope I'm not repeating what you already know but there is a special technique for this herb because of the hairy spines. Heat the wok to a high temp. before adding the herb. Fry till aromatic and it changes color inside. Chuan Lian Zi also must be roasted or fried, even for decocting. Jue Ming Zi should probably be fried in your Rx unless there is also constipation. Let me know if this stuff is of any use to you.

The traditional formulas that are 'San', I have generally found to be more effective than a decoction.

Thanks for the poem

Cheers,

Graham Jellett