pot, the liver, and staphysagria; defining energetics of herbs; alcohol from different sources

December 28, 2000

regarding defining energetics of herbs...

For example, with all due respect to various

writers who have done pioneering work about the TCM properties of

western herbs,far too much weight is given to those works as if they

are somehow as valid as the chinese materia medica.

As I mentioned to Todd a few months ago, I've been curious to hear CHA

members' opinions on such works. (I avoided bringing it up for a while

because I was a little concerned about bruising egos, but I've decided there

can't be anything wrong with people submitting their honest opinions.) In

particular I wonder what people think of Peter Holmes' works. I am very

interested in classifying western herbs within the Chinese framework (this

discussion on marijuana has been great, though as one of the first herbs

I've seen discussed this way on CHA, it was certainly a most challenging

beginning). However, I don't like the idea of simply matching Western

actions with Chinese ones (e.g. alterative=clear heat toxins,

carminative=aromatic transform dampness, anodyne=promote blood

circulation...), particularly given the centuries of use and meditation that

have given us the understanding we have of the Chinese materia medica.

Western herbs must still be scritinized in the same way, despite any

guidance we may have through the interpretations of other systems. I

haven't seen convincing evidence that Holmes has done much more than match

Chinese actions with Western ones. And though this sort of translation may

be somewhat applicable when it comes to actions, it hardly begins to guide

us with regard to determination of nature, flavor, and channels entered (I'm

convinced that, in the Chinese pharmacopeia, many of these factors were

determined by truly visionary ancients).

Speaking of defining energetics, there has been a lot of discussion of the

effects of alcohol on herbs, but little about what kind of alcohol. I know

ethanol is ethanol, but what about the rest? The differences between

alcohol made from rice, grapes, sugar cane, potatoes, barley...? I do

soxhlet extractions of herbs & I used to buy everclear (grain alcohol) and

mix it with distilled water, but 100 proof vodka is a lot cheaper. I have

no idea what the difference in energetics might be.

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Peter L. Borten, L.Ac.

4004 SW Kelly Avenue, Ste 201

Portland, Oregon 97201

503.522.2613

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