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7 Chinese Herbs Worth Keeping on Hand This Winter Winter is a good time to have a few useful Chinese herbs already in the cupboard. Not because every winter complaint is the same, but because Chinese herbalism distinguishes between cold, heat, throat discomfort, phlegm, and everyday support. Here are seven traditional herbs worth knowing before you need them. Jin Yin Hua — Honeysuckle Flowe …

Reishi Mushroom for Sleep?  Reishi mushroom seems to be everywhere lately—from mushroom coffees and wellness powders to conversations about evening routines, relaxation, and sleep. But Reishi is hardly new. Known as Ling Zhi (灵芝) in Chinese herbalism and commonly associated with Ganoderma species, Reishi has a long history of traditional use in China. Today, renewed interest in mushroo …

Whole Herbs, Cut Herbs, or Powders: Which Form Should You Choose? When shopping for Chinese herbs, one of the first decisions you may face is choosing between whole herbs, cut herbs, powders, and extracts. Each form has its own advantages, and the best choice often depends on how you plan to prepare and use the herb. Understanding the differences can make shopping easier and help you choose the …

After 33 Years in the Herbal Business, I Was Honestly Appalled In more than 33 years of helping people learn about herbs, I thought I had heard just about everything. Apparently, I was wrong. Recently, a customer called our office looking for information about a particular herb. As we talked, they kept comparing my answers to what another herbal company had told them. Then they repeated something …