Manufacturers' purifying, refining and treating the herbs with chemicals cause them to lose their potential for natural balance. For example, daidzin in kudzu could be used as a drug to treat alcoholism, but it loses the natural balance of rich isoflavones when purified. Puerarin prevents cardiovascular damage caused by insufficient oxygen supply. Puerarin also may prevent liver damage, which is a side effect of alcohol abuse. Thus, the most effective treatment of an ailment for total body health is achieved by using the most potent portion of the herb in its natural state.
Herbs are more effective when used in a formula.
Although each herb has its own healing property and nutritional benefit, understanding an individual herb is necessary. Herbs need to be combined in order to harmonize the entire body systematically. This is the only way to correct the imbalance and strengthen the entire body. There is no such single herb that can fulfill this goal. For instance, ginseng has been known to energize the body, especially the lungs and spleen-pancreas.