Sperb's Herbs Podcast

Niu Bang Zi (Great Burdock Fruit)

This episode will be exploring another interesting Chinese herb: niú bàng zǐ, Arctii Fructus, or great burdock fruit. This herb is in the Chinese medical subcategory of cool, acrid herbs that release the exterior under the category of release the exterior herbs. It is helpful for certain types of colds, sore throats, and, as a seed, can help constipation. And as always, we will look at something a little different…we are going to take a brief look at some basic botany.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at niú bàng zǐ, Arctii Fructus, or great burdock fruit. Please take the red pill and join us in learning about this fascinating herb!

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

This episode will be looking at another interesting traditional herb of the world: lemon balm or Melissa officinalis. This is a relatively well known medicinal and culinary herb with some very interesting traditional uses. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb and look at its traditional uses, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…We are going to look at hormones and how they work on the body

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at lemon balm or Melissa officinalis. It is going to be another interesting trek into the exciting universe of herbs…please join us!

Zi Su Ye (Perilla Leaf)

This episode we will be looking at another Chinese herb: zǐ sū yè, Perillae Folium, or simply perilla leaf. This is another herb in the Chinese medical sub-category of warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior and can be used to calm a fetus and help seafood poisoning. In fact, you are probably aware of this herb even you have never heard of it before, especially if you eat sushi. As usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as well as an explanation of its category. And as always, we will look at something a little different…we will continue our discussion of pharmacognosy with a conversation about tannins

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at zǐ sū yè, Perillae Folium, aka perilla leaf. It is going to be another interesting trek into the exciting universe of herbs…please join us!

Cong Chi Tang (Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction)

This episode we will be looking at another Chinese herbal formula, in fact we are going to look at probably the first formula most of us learn in school: Cōng Chǐ Tāng or Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction. This is a mild formula for releasing the exterior and may be easily created in most kitchens without any major herbal inventory. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb formula and look at its traditional uses, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we will be looking at pharmacognosy and several glycosides

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at Cōng Chǐ Tāng or Scallion and Prepared Soybean Decoction. It is going to be another interesting trek into the exciting universe of herbs…please join us!

Xi Xin (Asarum)

This episode we will be exploring another interesting Chinese herb: xì xīn, Asari Herba, or asarum or Chinese wild ginger. This herb is in the Chinese medical subcategory of warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior under the category of release the exterior herbs. It can be an important herb in certain circumstances, especially as a potential substitute for some of the functions of the banned ma huang or ephedra…but is it safe? Is it readily available? We are going to find out! And as usual, we will be exploring something a little different…treating hypertension

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at xì xīn, Asari Herba, or asarum or Chinese wild ginger. It is going to be another interesting trek into the exciting universe of herbs…please join us!

Blond Psyllium (Plantago ovata)

This episode will be looking at another interesting traditional herb of the world: Plantago ovata (Blond Psyllium), a great source of fiber, but can it help diabetes and cholesterol? We are going to find out! As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb and look at its traditional uses, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…We are going to discuss cannabis and how it acts on the body. 

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at Plantago ovata or Blond Psyllium. It is going to be another interesting trek into the exciting universe of herbs…please join us!

Jing Jie (Schizonepeta)

This episode will be exploring another single Chinese herb: jīng jiè, Schizonepetae Herba, or schizonepeta. This herb is a relatively commonly used herb in the Chinese medical sub-category of warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior and can be used in colds, rashes, and even to help stop bleeding. As usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as well as an explanation of its category. And as always, we will look at something a little different…Today we are going to look at diabetes from both biomedical and Chinese medical points of view.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we undertake another interesting expedition into the exciting universe of herbs exploring jīng jiè, Schizonepetae Herba, or schizonepeta!

Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang (Licorice, Ginger, Poria, and White Atractylodes Decoction)

This episode will be looking at another traditional Chinese formula: Gān Cǎo Gān Jiāng Fú Líng Bái Zhú Tāng or Licorice, Ginger, Poria, and White Atractylodes Decoction. This is a formula that warms the spleen and overcomes dampness and is in the sub-category of formulas that warm and transform water and dampness under the category of formulas that expel dampness. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb formula and look at its traditional uses, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we are going to talk about mandatory reporting.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we undertake another interesting expedition into the exciting universe of herbs exploring Gan Cao Gan Jiang Fu Ling Bai Zhu Tang or Licorice, Ginger, Poria, and White Atractylodes Decoction!

Da Huang (Rhubarb Root)

This episode will be looking at another important and interesting traditional Chinese herb: dà huáng, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, or rhubarb root or rhizome. This herb is a relatively commonly used herb in the Chinese medical subcategory of purgatives under the category of downward draining herbs and can be used in a wide variety of conditions. And as usual, we will be exploring something a little different…today, because there is so much commentary on this herb, we are doing something even more different: not discussing something a little different.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at dà huáng, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, or rhubarb root or rhizome. It is going to be another interesting and important journey into the depths of the forest of herbdom…please keep listening!

Boswellia serrata (Indian Frankincense)

This episode will be looking at another traditional herb of the world: Boswellia serrata or Indian frankincense, an important Ayurvedic herb for treating inflammation and other conditions. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb and look at its traditional uses, does it have any Chinese medical functions, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…well actually maybe a lot different…as herbalists (and practitioners in general), we run businesses and writing a business plan is the most important thing to do to ensure or continue success...So we are going to look at business planning excuses.

Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. 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 or formula. Please join us as we look at Boswellia serrata or Indian Frankincense. It is going to be another interesting sojourn into the depths of herbdom…please keep listening!