I would think that the ground up herbs would be cheaper, but I don't have any experience with that particular delivery system, so I can't anticipate the price on that. High practitioner mark-ups shouldn't be viewed as any ethical problem. I myself mark-up my herbs simply because of the cost of my education to be able to prescribe or write the appropriate formula. There is a world of difference between what someone with a masters degree in Oriental medicine does and what the stock boy at your local GNC does. When you pay for marked-up the herbs, you're paying for that competence.
Powdered extracts can come in pre-made capsuled formulations as well.
At the highest dosage, this will last you about a week. Your practitioner can better anticipate the appropriate dosage for you. This herbal delivery system is among the most popular in the USA and perhaps the West in general. One reason for this is that we can put our own labels on classical formulas. You'll find many of these types of products in health food stores.