If you’re like me, you’re a big fan of peonies. These large red, white or pink flowers grow on plants that are three to four feet tall, signaling to the world that summer is finally here. But did you know that the roots of these beautiful bushes are also important Chinese herbs? It’s true! And what’s more, they’re commonly … [Read more...]
Why is Pao Zhi, the processing of Chinese Herbal Medicine Important?
Whether you’ve taken Chinese herbs before or not, chances are you haven’t given much thought to what happens to those herbs after they’re harvested to make them available to you medicinally. That’s right, those twigs, flowers, roots and minerals aren’t just harvested or collected and sent off to become medicine. There are a … [Read more...]
Cherries: Chinese Medicine to Stabilize and Strengthen your Body
When you think of cherries, the deep red, sweet cherries of mid-summer may come to mind. However, there are a huge number of shrubs and trees that are considered to be cherry plants; some with edible fruits and others not. Two of these plants are found in the Chinese herbal formulary, although one is called a cherry, but is … [Read more...]
Healing Chrysanthemums
I love chrysanthemums (mums) because they bloom late in the summer and into the cool days of fall, when most other flowers are done for the season. Mums add all kinds of color to the fall landscape—red, white, yellow, orange and purple—and they stay colorful until the first hard frost. Despite their beauty and hardiness … [Read more...]
Cardamom a Delicious Spice or a Chinese Herb?
You may be familiar with the spice cardamom. It’s a little bit exotic and aromatic. Cardamom is used in Chai tea, Indian cooking, curries, basmati rice and in baking recipes from Nordic countries. But did you know that cardamom is also the basis for a couple of Chinese herbs? It’s true. Two different species in the … [Read more...]
Chinese Herbs for Colds, Flu and Infections
When you hear the term Chinese herbal medicine, chances are that you’re thinking about plants. Herbs are plants, right? That’s mostly true, as the vast majority of Chinese herbs are derived from plants. However there are also herbs that come from animal and mineral sources. Some of the most common mineral-based medicinals … [Read more...]
Citrus Fruit: Chinese Herbal Medicine for Digestion
The last time you ate a tangerine, I bet you didn’t give much thought to the peel. Chances are you just peeled the fruit and threw away the peel, right? You may be interested to know that the tangerine peel you tossed out is actually an important herb in the Chinese formulary. Tangerines are a type of common mandarin, … [Read more...]
Treat Asthma, Lung Infections and Digestion with Chinese Herbs
You may be surprised to learn that both walnuts and water chestnuts are herbs in Chinese medicine. It may be surprising because both are commonly eaten foods, but they also have some amazing healing properties. Here are some things to know: Water Chestnuts are actually the corms, or roots, of a grassy water plant. Found … [Read more...]
Chinese Herbal Medicine for Anxiety, Heart Palpitations and Insomnia
When you walk along a beach scattered with sea shells, you may be surprised to find that you’re walking among Chinese herbs! That’s right, a number of shells are included in the Chinese formulary for their healing properties. At first glance, it may seem far-fetched that the cast-off exoskeleton from marine snails, clams … [Read more...]
Tis the Season for Nutmeg, Cinnamon and Cardamom. They are Chinese Herbs Too!
If you’re looking forward to the holidays because of all the good food and drinks, you’re not alone. Many of the recipes that are featured this time of year include spices that are warm and aromatic. This includes nutmeg and cardamom. Nutmeg is one of the ingredients found in pumpkin spice, along with cinnamon, ginger, … [Read more...]
Did you Know that Pepper is Chinese Herbal Medicine?
If you’ve walked through any of Vancouver’s farmers’ markets, especially later in the summer and early fall, you may have been treated to the sight of bushels and baskets of peppers. You can find peppers of all colors and for a wide variety of uses. You can find bulky red, yellow-orange or green bell peppers that are … [Read more...]
Did you know that Turmeric is a Chinese Herbal Medicine?
Many people are familiar with turmeric, a yellow spice that’s used in curries and other Asian dishes. Turmeric has gotten a lot of attention because, in addition to being a spice, scientists have found that it also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. It’s been used to help people with certain kinds of pain, … [Read more...]
Does the Chinese Herb Ginseng Boost Your Energy?
If you think of the herb ginseng as something you take to give your energy a boost, you’d be right, but only up to a point. While taking ginseng can help your energy in many circumstances, this herb is so much more than a quick pick-me-up. In fact, the biological name for Asian Ginseng is panax ginseng, derived from the … [Read more...]
Amazing Health Benefits of the Chinese Herb Ginger Root
You probably know that ginger is a spice used in Asian cooking or a pickled condiment served with sushi. But did you know that ginger is also a versatile Chinese herb? It’s true! As an herb, ginger comes in a variety of forms and has a number of uses. If you were to go to your grocery store to buy fresh ginger, you’d … [Read more...]
The 6 Things Everyone Should Know About Chinese Herbs
Many people have misconceptions about Chinese herbs. You may equate them with the bottles of gingko tablets for better memory or ginger capsules for an upset stomach found on your grocery store shelf. The reality however, is that Chinese herbal medicine is far more complicated and nuanced than that. In order to become more … [Read more...]
