Chinese herbology

Author: Leandro Alegsa Creation date: November 13, 2022

Chinese herbs do not grow in China only. If you find the right climate and soil type, you can grow many of those herbs overseas. For instance, American Ginseng is grown in Wisconsin State.

The raw herbs available in retail have the following natural features:

Part of a plant: root, leave, seed, flowers, branch, etc.
Unprocessed except being cut, sliced, and cleansed of dirt.
Dried because the dried form weighs less and can be stored longer.
Some herbs can be eaten after boiling because they turn soft.
Most herbs cannot be eaten for they remain very coarse after boiling.
Herbs in general do not taste good. Most taste bitter and earthly. Some taste neutral. A few taste even sweet.
Inexpensive except for a few like Ren Shen 人參, Chuan Bei Mu 川貝母, or Dong Chong Xia Cao 冬虫夏草.

Questions and Answers

Q: What are Chinese herbs?

A: Chinese herbs are natural plants typically used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Q: Where do Chinese herbs grow?

A: Chinese herbs can grow in places beyond China if the right climate and soil type are available.

Q: What is American ginseng?

A: American ginseng is a type of Chinese herb that can grow in Wisconsin State.

Q: What are the natural features of raw herbs available in retail?

A: The natural features of raw herbs available in retail include roots, leaves, seeds, flowers, branches, and others. They are unprocessed except for being cut, sliced, and cleaned of dirt.

Q: Why are Chinese herbs dried?

A: Chinese herbs are dried because the dried form can weigh less and can be stored longer.

Q: Can all Chinese herbs be eaten after boiling?

A: No, some Chinese herbs can be eaten after boiling because they turn soft, while most herbs cannot be eaten as they remain very coarse after boiling.

Q: Do Chinese herbs taste good?

A: Most Chinese herbs taste bitter and earthly, while some taste neutral or sweet. In general, Chinese herbs do not have a pleasing taste.