First I appologise as I realise that this doesn't really follow the thread of this forum but it seemed the most appropriate place to post it, and secondly I appologise to Arnaud for constantly asking about banned herbs, but I thought I would try to start a discussion with the aim of aiding anyone else out there who has to work with the difficulty of banned herbs. Here in the UK, due to bans, we are unable to use any animal or mineral herbs, and a number of plants including Fu Zi and Xi Xin, with Ma Huang also restricted to 1.8g per day. This being the case it makes it very difficult to use SHL/Jin Gui formulas as the majority contain one or more of these banned herbs.

Below I have listed a few banned herbs and some replacements that people have suggested. Arnaud I haven't put any of your suggestions here as I wanted to make sure you were happy with me posting them up first.

Fu Zi - Gan Jiang + Rou Gui (to restore yang), Xiao Mao + Gui Zhi (cold in the channels) or Xian Mao.

Xi Xin - Gui Zhi + Qiang Huo (channels), Zi Su Ye + Bai Qian (Lungs), Gao Ben + Bai Zhi (Head/ toothache).

Ma Huang - Bai Qian or Sheng Jiang

Shi Gao - Lu Gen

Mang Xiao - Yu Li Ren

E Jiao - Gou Qi Zi + Han Lian Cao

Hua Shi - Chi Fu Ling + Ze Xie

Mu Li - Xuan Shen + Bai Shao + Wu Wei Zi

Long Gu - Bai Shao + Wu Wei Zi

Dai Zhe Shi - Xia Ku Cao + Zhu Ru 

If anybody else has any opnion on these substitutes or has any ideas of their own I would be greatful for your input, or if anybody else is in a similar situation and has some ideas or clinical experience with substitutes for these major herbs it would be a great help. Obviously I realise that substituting an animal or mineral herb with a plant is impossible, but we just have to try to do the best we can and find a substitute that is as close as possible.