Choosing Between Processed & Unprocessed Herbs

In clinical applications of TCM, the choice between Pao Zhi processed Chinese herbs and unprocessed herbs plays a crucial role in adhering to therapeutic principles and ensuring appropriate use. Herb processing can transform the nature of the herb, harmonize or strengthen its functions, moderate toxicity, and make its actions gentler on the body, while unprocessed herbs retain their original properties and are used for specific patterns. To make a proper selection of processed or unprocessed herbs, the following principles should be followed.

Selection Based on Toxicity and Safety 

Toxic or Harsh Herbs Require Processing for Safe Use

Some herbs are toxic or irritating in their unprocessed form and must undergo processing to reduce their toxicity and enhance safety. Examples include:

• Fu Zi

  • Unprocessed Fu Zi contains aconitine, which is considered highly toxic and harsh on the body.

  • Processed Fu Zi (by salt-roasting or prolonged boiling) significantly reduces its toxicity, enhancing its warming and cold-dispelling properties, and is suitable for patterns of yang deficiency with internal cold.
    

• He Shou Wu

  • Unprocessed He Shou Wu has a purgative and toxin-resolving nature, but contains anthraquinones, which may weaken qi and blood if used long-term.

  • Processed He Shou Wu (prepared with black beans or yellow wine) reduces its purgative effect while enhancing its nourishing liver and kidney, and replenishing essence and blood functions, making it better suited for tonification over time.

Harsh or Acrid Herbs Can Be Processed to Moderate Their Strength

Some unprocessed herbs may be too harsh for the Spleen and Stomach qi. Processing can help reduce side effects, such as:

• Bai Zhu 

  • Fried Bai Zhu is gentler on the middle burner than unprocessed Bai Zhu, and strengthens the Spleen to better transform dampness.

Selection Based on the Herb’s Direction of Action

Processing Herbs Can Deepen or Enhance Tonifying Effects

Some herbs are too cold or their effects are insufficient when used without processing. Pao Zhi methods can enhance their tonifying effects, such as:

• Sheng Di Huang vs. Shu Di Huang

  • Sheng Di Huang cools the blood and clears heat, suitable for patterns of heat entering the blood level.

  • Shu Di Huang is warmer and enhances blood-nourishing and yin-replenishing effects, suitable for patterns of blood deficiency.

• Huang Jing (Unprocessed vs. Honey-Fried)

  • Unprocessed Huang Jing strengthens the spleen and moistens the lungs, while Honey-fried Huang Jing tonifies the middle and boosts Qi, making it more suitable for those with qi deficiency or weakened Spleen qi.

Herbs That Need to Change Their Meridians or Affected Organs Should Be Processed

Processing can influence the herb’s meridian entry, i.e., which organ or channel it primarily affects. Examples include:

• Bai Shao (Unprocessed vs. Fried)

  • Bai Shao nourishes the blood and softens the liver.

  • Fried Bai Shao (vinegar-fried) enhances liver-qi regulation and pain-relieving effects, making it suitable for patterns of liver qi stagnation with pain.

• Huang Qin (Unprocessed vs. Wine-Fried)

  • Unprocessed Huang Qin clears heat and dries dampness.

  • Wine-fried Huang Qin directs the herb upwards, enhancing its ability to clear lung heat and support the clearing of Lung heat with rebellious qi.

Selection Based on Disease Nature and Patient Constitution

For Differing Cold, Heat, Deficiency, and Excess Conditions, Choose Different Processed Products:

• Heat patterns (e.g., excess heat in qi or blood level, or dryness with heat signs): In traditional theory, unprocessed herbs such as Sheng Di Huang, Shi Gao, and He Shou Wu are associated with cooler energy qualities, making them aligned with presentations of heat or dryness

• Deficiency-Cold patterns (e.g., yang deficiency with aversion to cold and loose stools): Processed herbs like Shu Di Huang, Zhi He Shou Wu, and Pao Jiang are considered to be warmer and are conventionally selected when addressing presentations of cold or deficiency

• Excess conditions (e.g., qi stagnation, dampness retention): Processing is thought to moderate an herb’s intensity, with Bai Zhu and Huang Lian for example, producing a gentler action preferred for children, the elderly, or those with delicate digestion.

• Deficiency conditions (e.g., qi and blood deficiency, spleen weakness): Choose processed herbs like Zhi Gan Cao and Jiu Zhi Huang Jing.

For Children, the Elderly, and Those with Weak Spleen and Stomach Qi, Choose Processed Herbs

Processed herbs are gentler, with reduced irritation, making them more suitable for these groups. Examples include:

• Huang Qi (Unprocessed vs. Fried)
  According to Materia Medica commentary, fried Huang Qi is understood to shift its energetics toward a more moderate tonification, described as less likely to generate heat

• Gan Cao (Unprocessed vs. Fried)
  When prepared by frying, Zhi Gan Cao is described as offering a softer quality of Qi support, considered harmonious for the middle burner

Selection Based on Purpose of Use and Dosage Form

For External Use, Generally Choose Unprocessed Herbs

Many herbs do not require processing when used externally, to preserve their original properties, such as:

• In external applications, unprocessed Da Huang is traditionally categorized as having strong cooling properties in the context of heat and blood-level patterns

• Unprocessed Da Huang is also historically noted for its association with stopping bleeding in classical texts.

For Pills, Powders, or Long-Term Use, Choose Processed Herbs

Some herbs are better suited for use in pill or powder form after processing, as it reduces side effects, such as:

• Processed He Shou Wu shifts the purgative effect of unprocessed He Shou Wu toward tonifying the Liver and Kidney over time.

• Processed He Shou Wu is traditionally regarded as gentler for the spleen and therefore more suitable for extended spleen strengthening and digestion support.

Selecting between processed and unprocessed herbs is an essential part of TCM practice. By understanding how processing transforms an herb’s nature, moderates toxicity, and shifts its functions, practitioners can better match the herb to the patient’s pattern and constitution.

This article is provided only as an educational resource - it is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, and the herbs and/or formulas within are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. The statements regarding Traditional Chinese Medicine and herbal formulas have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This information is intended only for licensed healthcare practitioners.