Letters – Response to Letter regarding Chinese Herbs

6/25/01

Your approach to Chinese herbs (in the article, “Six Chinese Herbs Every Doctor Should Know,” HPC June 15, 2001) is very Western. Chinese herbs are not taken individually, but complexed in unique formulas which balance them.

Also, other herbs are used to neutralize potential ill-effects of the toxic herbs. For example, when Fu Zhi is cooked with licorice, the toxicity is almost eliminated. This concept of taking individual herbs for symptoms is so anti-Oriental medicine.

Cinnabar (a mercury containing compound mentioned in the article) is not even available any more from reputable herbal companies.

Please try looking at herbs from the paradigm they come from.

Sincerely,

Butch Levy, MD, LAc
Family Practice & Acupuncture
Littleton, CO

 
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