Page 9 - Catalog 5.1

D N A C e r t i f ie d H e r b s A prime example of the importance of proper
DNA Certified Herbs
We are extremely proud to be the first preparation is He Shou Wu. Raw He Shou Wu is neutral
company in America to DNA certify 3 dozen in atmospheric energy and bitter. It contains laxatives
major herbs used in Dragon Herbs production. such as anthraquinone glycoside and emodin. Prepared
Learn more and see the list of herbs and DNA He Shou Wu is warm and sweet. Its laxative constituents
certificates at dragonherbs.com/dna have largely hydrolyzed or oxidized. Emodin is entirely
eliminated (a very good thing in the case of He Shou
Wu). Meanwhile its tonic constituents such as THSG and
lecithin have increased.

Cooking Together vs. Compounding
Our production experts use their professional judgment
Conclusion: Through the processing and analysis of the sample and to carefully determine when a formula needs cooking all
data, we identified the closest species of the sample to the Latin name
Ganoderma lucidum, which identified the highest similarity species as Red the raw herbs together vs. compounding their respective
Reishi with a maximum similarity of 96.66%. powder extracts. “Compounding” is commonly
used in the U.S. market, even for formulations that
(expert visual and other sensory) identification, traditionally were cooked together. Compounding is
microscopy, Thin Layer Chromotography (TLC), advanced appropriate for most tonic formulations because all the Introduction
High Performance Liquid Chromotography (HPLC) herbs are “Monarch” herbs. However, when the “Four
fingerprinting, and recently DNA certification. For Responsible Positions” principle of a formulation is
specific herbs, we do post-extraction analysis to identify invoked, it means the raw herbs are meant to interact
and quantify the chemical components of the extracts. together, chemically. It is Dragon Herbs’ opinion that
For example, each soft gel capsule of our Reishi Spore Oil cooking together is necessitated in this case. Many of
contains approximately 150 mg of triterpenes, the most our formulas are cooked together, despite the fact that
active constituent of Reishi Spore Oil. it is much more difficult logistically. For example, in the
classic formulation Bupleurum and Dragon Bone (The
Raw Herb Preparation – A Critical First Step of Great Stabilizer), Dragon Bone and Oyster Shell must be
Processing Herbs prepared properly first then cooked with Bupleurum
Thousand-Year-Old Traditions - There is a major aspect root. One is a fossil of mastodon bone, and one is the
of herbalism generally overlooked in the West. That is nacre of seashells. These processed materials help
the raw herbs’ preparation methods. Preparation is a neutralize the acidity of the decoction which in turn
core methodology of herbal production. There are at suppresses the decomposition of an essential Bupleurum
least 29 preparation methods documented in the Chinese saponin called saikosaponin D. If these two mineral
Pharmacopeia such as roasting, steaming, soaking with materials are simply blended (compounded) with the
honey or alcohol or vinegar, etc. However, because Bupleurum extract powder, they cannot protect the
preparation takes time and extra materials, many prepared essential constituents of Bupleurum, the main ingredient
herbs are twice or three times the costs of their raw in the formula. There are also many studies proving
versions, many American companies choose to use the new constituents are created during cooking that did
raw ones, due to either a lack of professional knowledge or not previously exist in the raw herbs. Compounding is a
for cost cutting. Overlooking proper herb processing can physical process, while cooking involves chemistry and
result in no benefit or worse. Dragon Herbs always uses chemical reaction.
properly prepared herbs whenever the preparation is Advanced Extraction and Drying Technologies
called for in a particular herb or formula.
Proper preparation can change an herb’s attributes in the Dragon Herbs selects the best extraction and drying
technology based on the herbs’ active constituents and
following ways: applications. We describe the various methodologies
1. Strengthen its desired effects in the later sections of the catalog, usually in their
2. Reduce or eliminate undesired effects or side effects: respective product categories for which they are utilized.
For example, Biota Seed, if used in a calming Shen • Water and alcohol extraction—pages 50-52
stabilizing formula, should be expeller pressed to • Spray dry—page 32
remove its oil in order to eliminate its laxative effects.
3. Change its tendency: “Frying” with alcohol makes • Fingerprint Identical Transfer Technology (FITT)—
page 72
an herb have a rising tendency, “water frying” with
salt water makes it descend, “frying” with ginger juice • Super critical CO2 extraction—page 26
makes it float to the body surface, and “frying” with • Freeze dry—page 89
vinegar makes it sink to the core of the body. (none of
these methods uses oil) Excipients and Pullulan Capsules
4. Change its channel: Raw Rehmannia enters the A small amount of excipient is necessary in the
Heart channel, is cold and cools the blood. Prepared production of plant extracts in capsule form. Dragon
Rehmannia (steamed with a special liquor) enters the Herbs uses excipients made from natural materials such
Kidney channel, is warm and tonifies the blood and as rice extract, rice hulls, and bamboo extract to replace
nourishes the Yin. synthetic ingredients such as Magnesium Stearate.
5. Increase its efficacy through exposing the content and Our vegan pullulan capsules are made from fermented
enhancing the extraction ratio of active constituents tapioca. Starch-free, gluten-free, preservative-free, and
Non-GMO.
9