Aren’t Raw Herbs Better?
Generally it’s the lack of patient compliance that prevents most of us from prescribing raw herbs. We think: “If patients would take them, I would use them!” Raw herbs may not be the best choice for other reasons. • The quality of raw herbs varies significantly, do you have the time and expertise to test or evaluate the quality of the raw herbs that might come into your pharmacy? Most of us don’t, but that is the primary job of the powder and liquid manufacturers • Raw herbs have a very limited shelf life • Improper storage (too much air, moisture, heat) can decrease efficacy • Keeping them free of insects or airborne molds is no small task • Many Chinese herbs are treated with toxic substances to create their characteristic appearance. Bleach is used to make Ge Gen pure white… the Huang’s aren’t naturally so yellow.
