QUESTION: Hi Akin,

I hope this message finds you well!

If an herb can not be found in its natural state (leaf or root), can we still consume it in a form of capsule? For instance, I saw your tweet about gymnema but I can only find it in capsulte. Would it still be effective?

Thank you and kind regards

ANSWER: Herbs, much like other foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds), are most potent when fresh. Fresh herbs are alive. They are full of enzymes (enzymatic activity), which act as a delivery system for biophotons (light energy). Both enzymes and biophotons play an important role in an herb’s ability to nourish and rejuvenate the body. However, many folks (especially those residing in cities within temperate zones) lack access to fresh herbs. Those living in rural areas may have access to certain seasonal plants, but not to tropical herbs (like Gymnema). Thus, for many, procuring dried herbs is often the only viable option.

That being said, I do not want to imply that dried herbs are vastly inferior. Dried herbs have been used for millennia with remarkable results. (In fact, some herbs must be utilized exclusively in their dried form due to the high potency of certain compounds.)

When it comes to purchasing dried herbs, I personally prefer cut-and-sifted herbs over powdered ones for several reasons.

Firstly, once an herb is processed into powder, it begins to oxidize rapidly due to its increased surface area being exposed to air, light, and moisture. This accelerates the degradation of volatile oils, active compounds, and certain nutrients, and thus rapidly reduces its potency. In cut-and-sifted herbs, these beneficial compounds are preserved for a considerably longer period. Moreover, many herbal suppliers leave their powdered herbs sitting on shelves for extended periods, and by the time a consumer purchases them, much of the herb’s potency is lost.

Secondly, cut-and-sifted herbs allow for easier visual inspection of quality and authenticity. With cut-and-sifted herbs, one can easily identify the leaf/root/bark/fruit/seed structure, color, and texture. Such assessment that becomes difficult (or impossible) once the herb has been reduced to a powder. Moreover, powders are more susceptible to adulteration, and unfortunately, unscrupulous vendors/unethical companies sometimes add fillers to increase volume/weight. I have also encountered instances of herbal retailers mistakenly mislabel their powdered herbs.

Thirdly (and this is closely linked to my first point), cut-and-sifted herbs have a significantly longer shelf life compared to powdered forms. Because they degrade and oxidize at a much slower rate, they retain their medicinal properties longer. Conversely, powdered herbs have a much shorter shelf life (often just a few months) before their potency is significantly diminished.

Fourthly, the finer the powder, the more susceptible it is to contamination during processing. Powdered herbs can also harbor mold/bacteria more easily than whole or cut herbs, especially if they are stored improperly (in warm/moist environments). Such issues are far less common with cut-and-sifted herbs.

This is not to suggest that one should never buy powdered herbs. There are companies are aware of these concerns and take due diligence (e.g., by frequent testing of samples, proper storage, proper inventory management, etc.) to ensure the quality and purity of their products.

For people in a situation where location or availability limits them to powdered herbs, If one is purchasing an herbal product in capsule form, I recommend checking the label to see when the product was manufactured. Contacting the company with the lot number for verification would be even better. The label should also indicate that the only ingredient is that specific herb powder.

In the case of Gymnema specifically, I recommend taking it as an infusion because its effects start in the mouth by blocking the sweet receptors. You can empty the contents of a capsule (or capsules) into a glass, cover it with warm water and allow it to steep. When consumed about 15 minutes before a meal, Gymnema’s molecules will bind to the sugar receptors in the taste buds, which will make sweet foods less palatable and thereby help to reduce sugar intake. This is in addition to its other benefits (helping reduce sugar absorption in the small intestine, helping stimulate insulin release, and helping enhancing blood glucose utilization).