Podcast
Sperb's Herbs Podcast
Hosted by Dr. Greg Sperber · EN
Investigating the Traditions and Science of Chinese Herbs
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Xin Yi (Magnolia Flower)
Apr 700:52:04Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we are going to be looking at another single Chinese herb: Xīn Yí, Magnoliae Flos, or Magnolia Flower. 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 helps nasal conditions. And we are going to discuss, as our little something different, phantasia, aphantasia, and hyperphantasia. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us for another interesting episode as we examine Xīn Yí, Magnoliae Flos, or Magnolia Flower!
Transcribe →Maca Root (Lepidium meyenii)
Dec 1600:57:17Tap to summarizeThis episode is our 100th episode! We will explore another interesting herb of the world: maca root or Lepidium meyenii. It is reported to be helpful for treating libido, fertility, and possibly menopause. We will doing our deep dive into this herb and find out if there is any evidence for these effects. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we will be looking at the future of medicine. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another fascinating exploration into world of herbs…please join us!
Transcribe →Zhi Zi (Gardenia Fruit)
Dec 200:56:09Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we are going to be looking at another single Chinese herb: Zhī Zǐ, Gardeniae Fructus, or Gardenia Fruit. This herb is in the Chinese medical sub-category of drain fire herbs under clear heat herbs. It is an important herb for draining heat, cooling blood, and resolving dampness. 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 something a little different…we will start the difficult conversation about an economic downturn and how acupuncturists and other integrative practitioners can deal with it. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another interesting exploration into world of herbs…please join us!
Transcribe →Jiu Wei Qiang Huo Tang (Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium)
Nov 1800:56:57Tap to summarizeThis episode will be exploring another Chinese herbal formula, Jiǔ Wèi Qiāng Huó Tāng or Nine-Herb Decoction with Notopterygium. It is under the subcategory of formulas that release exterior wind-cold disorders and is useful for treating external attacks (colds) with dampness and internal heat. We will doing our deep dive into this formula. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…We are going to briefly introduce postbiotic supplements. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. It is going to be another fascinating exploration into the exciting quantum world of herbs…please power up your mind’s tokamak and join us!
Transcribe →Sang Ye (White Mulberry Leaf)
Nov 400:54:15Tap to summarizeThis episode will be exploring another interesting Chinese herb: Sāng Yè, Mori Folium, or White Mulberry Leaf. 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 and helps the eyes among other functions for this relatively commonly used herb. And as usual, we will be exploring something a little different…we are going to be discussing science and why it is important in today’s society. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please stay tuned for another interesting episode!
Transcribe →Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa)
Oct 2100:59:19Tap to summarizeThis episode is going to be more interesting than many of the herbs we have looked at. We will be looking at probably one of the most controversial herbs today: kratom or Mitragyna speciosa. It is supposed to have pain relieving properties and is banned or almost banned in many developed countries. As always, we will do our deep dive into this herb of the world and look at its traditional uses, its preparation, interactions, and cautions. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different…we are going to discuss opioids and opioid receptors. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us in another fascinating exploration into the exciting and potentially dangerous archeology of herbs…please don your cool hat, bring your whip, and join us in the herbal jungle!
Transcribe →Gao Ben (Chinese Lovage Root)
Oct 800:55:12Tap to summarizeIn 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 well as an explanation of its category. And as always, we will look at something a little different…we are going to look at the microbiome and pre- and post- biotics. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us in this exciting episode exploring gǎo běn, Ligustici Rhizoma or Chinese lovage root!
Transcribe →Ren Shen Bai Du San (Ginseng Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences)
Sep 2301:01:41Tap to summarizeIn 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 just so much to discuss about this important formula, there isn’t time to add anything else… Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us as we don our spacesuits, do a spacewalk, and enter the unexplored space of medicinal herbs in this exciting episode exploring Rén Shēn Bài Dú Sǎn or Ginseng Powder to Overcome Pathogenic Influences!
Transcribe →Zhi Mu (Anemarrhena Rhizome)
Sep 900:56:09Tap to summarizeIn 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 uses, and its preparation, interactions, and cautions and see if the science supports its use. And as usual, we will be exploring something a little different…In this case, we will be discussing another Chinese herbal legend about our herb. Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us for this journey to the center of herby goodness by exploring zhī mǔ, Anemarrhenae Rhizoma or Anemarrhena Rhizome!
Transcribe →Vasaka (Justicia adhatoda)
Aug 2600:56:51Tap to summarizeThis 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 science supports its use. And, as usual, we will be adding something a little different… we are going to look at the similarities and differences between Ayurvedic and Chinese herbal medicine Each episode of the podcast will go into great depth about a single herb or formula. Besides covering the basics of herbology including category, and functions, we will explore the history, quality, science, pharmacology, evidence, and any potential interactions of each herb or formula. Please join us, it is going to be another intriguing episode as we look at Vasaka, Justicia adhatoda, or malabar nut!
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