Raw herb Alternatives-What is the Deal?

[Guest guest]

" The practice of using ethylene oxide or radiation sterilization

techniques are not typically revealed to the buyer. "

 

Stephen,

You seem to have experience observing the harvest/preparation

process...Thanks for sharing.

I was ignorant of the above. How common is this?

Regards,

Nicole

 

Nichole,

It would be impossible for me to give you an accurate percentage. I will

email the question to a colleague in China to seek a better guestimate and

will let you know what I find out.

Best regards,

Stephen

 

 

Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare

practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing

in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services,

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[Guest guest]

Stephen Morrissey wrote:

 

> " The practice of using ethylene oxide or radiation sterilization

> techniques are not typically revealed to the buyer. "

 

I think it would be prudent to ask why this is a problem. I am

unfamiliar with these terms. Is it common knowledge that these are

harmful things?

 

Is the radiation sterilization the means by which Cannabis seeds are

prevented from sprouting after import as a medicinal herb?

 

--

Al Stone L.Ac.

<AlStone

http://www.BeyondWellBeing.com

 

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

 

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[Guest guest]

<<Is the radiation sterilization the means by which Cannabis seeds are

prevented from sprouting after import as a medicinal herb?>>

 

My information says that the huo ma ren is steamed to make it sterile.

 

Karen Vaughan

CreationsGarden

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[Guest guest]

Al Stone wrote:

 

" I think it would be prudent to ask why this is a problem. I am

unfamiliar with these terms. Is it common knowledge that these are

harmful things? "

 

Al,

 

I have personally and subjectively noticed a difference in herbs I've taken

after using these sterilization techniques to save some production batches

from landing in the city dump because of high bacterial counts. However its

been a few years since I was forced to look into it and I recall that there

are rational/objective reasons that make them undesirable as well. I will

look through my notes when I get back to my office at the end of January and

see if I can give you a better answer.

 

In terms of cannabis seed sterilization, the Chinese Pharmacopeia states

under " preparation " that the seeds should be stir fried until they become

yellowish and scented. THC and other cannabanoids are typically only

psychoactive after heating, so this would not likely satisfy any FDA or

Customs requirements if psychoactivity is their concern. Consequently

Karen's postulation of using steaming to deactive would surprise me if it

were effective in neutralizing the psychoactive components. Although, I

certainly don't claim to be an authority on the subject. I would also be

surprised if the cannabanoids were somehow inactivated by radiation

sterilization since this technique is mainly used to kill organisims, not

grossly change the chemical structure or bioactivity of only selected

chemical components. Its my understanding that the sterilization or

frying/steaming, if acceptable to FDA, is to satisfy them that the seeds

will not propogate and that the issue of their cannabanoid content is not of

concern since it is usually negligable in the seeds.

 

Stephen

 

 

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Chinese Herbal Medicine, a voluntary organization of licensed healthcare

practitioners, matriculated students and postgraduate academics specializing

in Chinese Herbal Medicine, provides a variety of professional services,

including board approved online continuing education.

 

 

[Guest guest]

the cannabis seeds -huo ma ren- are HEMP seeds, cannabis sativa, which is

not the same as the stuff that is smoked- cannabis indica. If you smoked

hemp you'd end up w/ a wicked HA. By the way, my understanding of the

availability if hemp seeds is due to the bird seed manufacturers having

lobbied to include them in the seeds mixes!

 

and a small commentary: someone asked why more practitioners on the list

don't participate more often. this is really, on my part, due to time

constraints. If I am not treating 50 or so patients a week, or writing

formulas, or working on product development, I'm busy with my kids! So while

y'all are expounding on language, pot smoking, raw vs. alcohol extractions,

I'm busy assembling Hot Wheels Tornado Twister and Barbie's Beach Bungalow.

It takes time to respond. I for one, am a terrible typist.

 

and finally re: alcohol extractions, raw, powdered, etc. I have tons of

comments, but refrain because I own an herb company, I don't want to be

accused of self aggrandizement - even if we are the only company with the

real thing. Oops! there goes that self aggrandizement!

so the reasons for remaining quiet are multiple. nevertheless, the

conversations are vicariously enjoyed.

 

Happy new year to all

Cara Frank

[Guest guest]

The steaming is to sterilize the cannibis seeds so they will not

germinate. THC levels are negligible (although they will show up on our

patient's drug tests), so the FDA does not require deactivation of

cannanoboids.

 

Canadian hemp seed is often mechanically dehusked. That would preserve

EFA levels, but would probably reduce the fiber component of the laxative

effect.

 

Heating cannibis seeds is less destructive to the EFA profile than

heating flax seeds since the fats are more stable. Nonetheless I would

be wary of grinding up a weeks worth of huo ma ren because of rancidity

concerns.

 

Karen Vaughan

CreationsGarden

***************************************

Email advice is not a substitute for medical treatment.

" You can't do anything about the length of your life, but you can do

something about its width and depth. " Evan Esar

 

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[Guest guest]

Al,

 

I was surprised to hear during a blood borne pathogens/OSHA course

that the use of ethylene oxide to sterilize office equipment is not

recommended because of its carcinogenic effects. Yikes! Is there

residue on the needles we use that are sterilized by EO I wonder?

That is my concern with EO and surpised to hear it might be used to

sterilize herbs also.

Irradiation is a controversial sterilization technique which organic

consumers are opposed to because it is unnatural and radiation is also

carcinogenic.

 

Nicole

 

 

> Stephen Morrissey wrote:

>

> > " The practice of using ethylene oxide or radiation sterilization

> > techniques are not typically revealed to the buyer. "

>

> I think it would be prudent to ask why this is a problem. I am

> unfamiliar with these terms. Is it common knowledge that these are

> harmful things?

>

> Is the radiation sterilization the means by which Cannabis seeds are

> prevented from sprouting after import as a medicinal herb?

>

> --

> Al Stone L.Ac.

> <AlStone@B...>

> http://www.BeyondWellBeing.com

>

> Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

[Guest guest]

Stephen Morrissey wrote:

 

> Its my understanding that the sterilization or

> frying/steaming, if acceptable to FDA, is to satisfy them that the seeds

> will not propogate and that the issue of their cannabanoid content is not of

> concern since it is usually negligable in the seeds.

 

That is my understanding. The seeds are processed to make it impossible

to grow your own from these seeds.

 

--

Al Stone L.Ac.

<AlStone

http://www.BeyondWellBeing.com

 

Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

 

Attachment: vcard [not shown]

[Guest guest]

Reminds me of the (urban legend?) where free pot was to be found growing at the

city dumps because of the parakeet seed that had been thrown out.

 

 

>

> That is my understanding. The seeds are processed to make it impossible

> to grow your own from these seeds.

[Guest guest]

has anyone ever tried sprouting the seeds?

Cara