By Eric Brand

When most Chinese medicine practitioners think of bing lang (betel nut), we think of a dried cross section of a seed that is used to kill parasites, downbear qi, and disinhibit urination. Few practitioners know that betel nut is also chewed as a mild psychoactive drug in Taiwan and other parts of South and Southeast Asia. In fact, one of the most unexpected sights for many foreigners upon arriving in Taiwan is the presence of thousands of little shops selling betel nut. The shops are often brightly lit with Vegas style flashing lights, and they are commonly staffed by young women wearing bikinis. These shops are especially common in the southern part of Taiwan, particularly in rural areas.

How did we get from a Chinese medicine for intestinal worms to flashing lights and bikinis?

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By Eric Brand

Here is an interesting article from Taiwan on Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. The article assesses several products on the market for the presence of aristolochic acid (AA), which would come from the presence of Xi Xin in Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang. Essentially the conclusion of the article was that Du Huo Ji Sheng Tang basically lacked significant levels of AA and was not associated with nephotoxicity in the patient population that was studied.

Here's the full text:
http://www.cmjournal.org/content/5/1/6

By Eric Brand

Marker compounds refer to chemical constituents within a medicinal that can be used to verify its potency or identity. For some medicinals, the marker compounds could be described as active ingredients. In other substances, the marker compounds of interest are chemicals that confirm the correct botanical identity of the starting material. There is not consensus on the correct marker compounds for all traditional medicinals, because some medicinals have unknown active constituents and others have multiple active constituents. In some situations, experts disagree about which group of constituents is responsible for the therapeutic effects of a given substance, so there is a lack of consensus when it comes to determining which constituents are the correct marker compounds for such items.

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By Eric Brand

What is the difference between full-spectrum extracts and standardized extracts? What do these terms mean and how do they affect us as Chinese medical practitioners?

1. Full Spectrum Extracts

In the context of Chinese medicine, full spectrum extracts tend to refer to products that reflect the natural constituent yield that is obtained from a traditional water decoction. Historically, most prescriptions have been prepared as a water decoction, so replicating a decoction is thought to provide the best approximation of the spectrum of constituents that Chinese medicine’s time-tested results are based upon.

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By Eric Brand

The Qing dynasty materia medica text Ben Cao Bei Yao (The Essential Herbal Foundation) was written in 1694 CE by Wang Ang. This book provides us with insight into the actions ascribed to herbs in the Qing dynasty, just prior to the modern era of Chinese medicine. Notably, many of the actions of herbs have changed over the years. Observing the different viewpoints on a given medicinal’s actions over the ages gives us insight into its fundamental nature and broadens our understanding of its potential applications.

Did you know that Ku Shen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix) was once said to nourish yin? The “Shen” in Ku Shen’s name is shared by Ren Shen (Ginseng Radix), Xuan Shen (Scrophulariae Radix), Sha Shen (Adenophorae seu Glehniae Radix), Dang Shen (Codonopsis Radix), and Dan Shen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix), all of which have historically been ascribed supplementing properties. Naturally, Ku Shen is still a damp-drying, bitter cold medicinal, so the Ben Cao Bei Yao notes that it shouldn’t be used for liver-kidney vacuity in the absence of heat. That said, it does say that Ku Shen supplements yin and boosts essence, and nourishes the liver and gallbladder. It is also said to quiet the five viscera, disinhibit the nine orifices, engender liquid and allay thirst, and brighten the eyes. One of the additional comments notes that when dampness and heat exit, qi and blood become balanced. Thus, the five viscera are naturally quieted.

Here’s a fun one: Burnt rice. In Asia and the Middle East alike, burnt rice that is stuck to the bottom of the pan is a delicacy, something that kids fight over at the end of the meal. The Ben Cao Bei Yao includes it with the other medicinals, and it is said to open the stomach and fortify the spleen. It also transforms food and checks diarrhea. The explanation given is that the burnt rice has a fragrant qi, which opens the stomach and fortifies the spleen to assist digestion. It is slightly burnt, which causes it to be astringent in nature; thus it checks diarrhea. Yum…

From gold to breast milk to human teeth, the Ben Cao Bei Yao has all kinds of fascinating entries on animal, mineral, and herbal products. Lots of fun reading, too bad there is no market for classical texts in English…

Fortunately, we have this fun blog so I'll keep translating little snippets from time to time. Bookmark our site and keep coming back to visit!