Preparation of Herbs

By PharmTao

 

Crude herbs need to be prepared with certain procedures before they can be used.  Because herbs are natural products, they need to be purified and processed to be stored in a long term.  Some special processing methods are used to detoxify certain herbal ingredients, and to change the effects of certain herbs.

 

Objectives of Processing Herbs

ï¿?#060;/span>        To purify herbs, make them easier for storage, and to preserve their effects.

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        To facilitate the administration of herbs. 

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        Detoxification: to reduce the toxicity or side effects of certain herbs.  For example, certain processing methods can reduce the toxicity of wild aconite root.

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        To enhance the efficacy of herbs.  For example, to improve the pain-relieving effect of corydalis tuber, the herb can be processed through stir-frying with vinegar.   

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        To change the features of herbs.  For example, processed rhubarb has reduced purgative effect than unprocessed dried rhubarb.

 

Processing Methods of Herbs

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        General processing methods

o       Cleaning

o       Grinding

o       Slicing

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        Processing with water

o       Washing

o       Rinsing

o       Grinding in water

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        Processing with heat

o       Stir-frying

o       Frying with liquid adjuvants (vinegar, honey, wine, ginger juice, etc.)

o       Toasting

o       Wrapped baking

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        Processing with water and heat

o       Steaming

o       Boiling

o       Dipping (in boiled water)

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        Fermentation

ï¿?#060;span style="font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; font-family: Times New Roman">        Crystallizing/powdering