Customary Preparations of Herbs

Chinese Herbs Preparations Explained.

Your herbal practitioner may use a few common methods to prepare herbal formulas, the following are some of the most common.

DRY FRYING
Dry frying is a technique that improves digestion by stirring the herb without oil, directing it to the Spleen and Stomach systems.

  • Adding salt directs the herb's action to the Kidney system, supporting the yin while reducing heat.
  • Frying with liquid is another method where adding honey nourishes and moistens the herb, vinegar astringes and detoxifies. 
  • Wine unblocks channels and reduces pain while ginger juice warms the stomach.
  • Quick-frying, is when the herb is fried at a high temperature, reduces toxicity and moderates harsh properties.
  • Boiling the herb in water or vinegar may also alter its characteristics, reducing toxicity.
  • Adding salt directs the herb's action to the Kidney system, supporting the yin while reducing heat.
  • Frying with liquid is another method where adding honey nourishes and moistens the herb, vinegar astringes and detoxifies. 
  • Wine unblocks channels and reduces pain while ginger juice warms the stomach.
  • Quick-frying, is when the herb is fried at a high temperature, reduces toxicity and moderates harsh properties.
  • Boiling the herb in water or vinegar may also alter its characteristics, reducing toxicity.

How An Herb Is Processed Makes A Difference

The way an herb is processed can alter its effects, as seen in the example of rehmannia root or Chinese foxglove. In its raw form, called sheng di huang, it is cold in nature and used to treat warm diseases by nourishing the yin and generating fluids. However, when it is prepared with rice wine and steamed, it becomes shu di huang, which falls into the tonifying category and is slightly warm. Its functions include nourishing the blood, yin, and essence. Both versions of the herb can affect the blood, yin, and fluids, and are used interchangeably depending on the condition. A Chinese medicine practitioner assesses the patient's condition and recommends the appropriate herb and processing technique, if necessary, for optimal results.