Sperb's Herbs Podcast
Investigating the Traditions and Science of Chinese Herbs
Episodes
October 8, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode, we are going to be donning our high pressure suit and diving into another single Chinese herb: gǎo běn, Ligustici Rhizoma or Chinese lovage root. This herb is in the Chinese medical sub-category of warm, acrid herbs that release the exterior. In addition to helping treat external attacks or colds, it can be helpful in treating pain and wind-dampness. As usual, we will explore all the intricacies of this herb as wel...
Mark as Played
September 23, 2025 • 61 mins
In this episode, we will be looking at another Chinese herbal formula, Rén Shēn Bài Dú Sǎn or Ginseng Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences. It is under the subcategory of formulas that release exterior disorders with interior deficiency and is useful for treating external attacks (colds) with underlying deficiency. We will doing our deep dive into this formula. And while we usually do a “little something different,” there is ju...
Mark as Played
September 9, 2025 • 56 mins
In this episode, we will be exploring another interesting and common Chinese herb: zhī mǔ, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma or Anemarrhena Rhizome. This herb is in the Chinese medical subcategory of herbs that drain fire under the category of herbs that clear heat. This is a commonly used herb for cooling heat while also generating yin and fluids to moisten dryness. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb and look at its traditional...
Mark as Played
August 26, 2025 • 56 mins
This episode will be looking at another herb of the world: Vasaka, Justicia adhatoda, or malabar nut. This is a relatively well known Ayurvedic herb used for over 2,000 years and is used primarily for respiratory complaints, though different preparations are used for other applications. 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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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 ...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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 ...
Mark as Played
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 ...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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? ...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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 ...
Mark as Played
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 ...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
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...
Mark as Played
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.