The Clinical Importance of 'Pao Zhi' - Medicinal Processing

The extensive use of medicinal processing (known as "pao zhi") is a distinctive and uniquely developed feature of Chinese herbal medicine. Most Chinese herbs first undergo processing before they are employed clinically, and the method of processing often alters or improves the therapeutic effect of a given medicinal. Just as a chef must consider when garlic should be raw vs. cooked for a given dish, Chinese herbalists carefully consider the most appropriate processing method for each individual herb when constructing a formula.