Sperb's Herbs Podcast
Investigating the Traditions and Science of Chinese Herbs
Episodes
August 12, 2025 • 48 mins
This episode will be looking at another single Chinese “herb:” chán tuì, Cicadae Periostracum, or cicada molting. This substance is in the Chinese medical sub-category of cool, acrid herbs that release the exterior. It has several interesting functions such as venting rashes, clearing the eyes, and stopping spasms. As usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this substance as well as an explanation of its category. And as alwa...
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July 29, 2025 • 60 mins
This episode will be looking at another Chinese herbal formula: Sāng Jú Yǐn or Mulberry Leaf and Chrysanthemum Drink. This is from the formulas that release exterior wind-heat subcategory. It is a useful formula for treating early stage colds with a cough. 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 som...
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July 15, 2025 • 53 mins
This episode will be exploring another interesting Chinese herb: qiāng huó, Notopterygii Rhizoma seu Radix, or notopterygium root. 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 is helpful for certain types of colds and especially for alleviating pain and unblocking painful obstructions in many conditions such as some types of arthr...
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July 1, 2025 • 58 mins
This episode will be looking at another herb of the world: saw palmetto or Serenoa repens. This is a well known herb used for over 2,000 years and has a modern reputation for treating prostatic hyperplasia or enlarged prostate. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb and look at its traditional uses, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions and see if the science supports its use. And, as usual, we will be adding ...
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June 17, 2025 • 54 mins
This episode we are going to be looking at another single Chinese herb: shí gāo, Gypsum fibrosum, or just gypsum. This herb is in the Chinese medical sub-category of herbs that drain fire and is among the coldest herbs in the pharmacopeia. It is useful both internally to cool various heat conditions as well as topically in many dermatological conditions. As usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as well as an expla...
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June 10, 2025 • 58 mins
This episode will be looking at another Chinese herbal formula: Gé Gēn Tāng or Kudzu Decoction. This is from the formulas that release exterior wind-cold subcategory of the formulas that release the exterior category. It is a useful formula for treating colds with a stiff neck and upper back. 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...
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May 27, 2025 • 50 mins
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 t...
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May 13, 2025 • 55 mins
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 ...
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April 29, 2025 • 55 mins
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 ...
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April 15, 2025 • 56 mins
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, a...
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April 1, 2025 • 57 mins
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? ...
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March 25, 2025 • 51 mins
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 cannab...
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March 4, 2025 • 48 mins
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 ...
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February 18, 2025 • 54 mins
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 ...
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February 4, 2025 • 58 mins
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 mu...
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January 21, 2025 • 55 mins
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 a...
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January 7, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode, we will be exploring an interesting Chinese herb gōu téng, Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis, or uncaria. This herb is a relatively commonly used herb in the Chinese medical category of substances that extinguish wind and stop tremors and can be used in a wide variety of conditions including spasms and convulsions, headache, irritability, and even hypertension. And as usual, we will be exploring something a little differe...
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December 10, 2024 • 57 mins
This episode covers the covers an interesting Chinese herbal formula, huang lian e jiao tang (coptis and ass-hide gelatin decoction). This is, relatively, not so commonly used, at least in my experience, formula for treating irritability, insomnia, and palpitations with a sensation of heat in the chest. Could this formula be of help in anxiety conditions? Join us as we find out! And, as usual, we will be adding something a little d...
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November 26, 2024 • 52 mins
This episode covers the Chinese "herb" chi shi zhi, Halloysitum rubrum, or red halloysite or kaolin. This mineral is in the Chinese medical category of herbs that stabilize and bind and can be used in a wide variety of conditions including chronic diarrhea, uterine bleeding, and chronic sores. And, as usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as well as an explanation of its category. Each episode of the podcast will ...
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November 1, 2024 • 50 mins
This episode covers an herb of the world: horseradish or Armoracia rusticana, which is, of course an herb and a food. It has been used for over 2,000 years for respiratory and urinary issues as well as for culinary purposes. We are going to explore all of these aspects. And, as usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as well as an explanation of its category. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth abou...
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