Patients
First and foremost, it's crucial to consult with a qualified herbalist before starting any herbal regimen. This step ensures that the herbs you choose are appropriate for you and won't interact negatively with anything else you may be taking.
Once you know that you have the correct formula, you may have a choice about what form of administration is best, or at least what is available for your formula. You may be able to choose from teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules, powders, or topical applications.
Each form has its own advantages, method of preparation and dosage guidelines.
For instance, brewing or steeping a tea from dried herbs can extract beneficial compounds as long as these compounds are water soluble. The chemical constituents that aren't water soluble won’t be extracted by soaking or boiling with water. They need to be extracted using solvents like alcohol, oil, vinegar, etc. These extracts are called ‘tinctures’. Tablets made with milled herbs will contain all the chemical constituents of that herb.
When administering herbal medicines, always pay attention to recommended dosages.
Lastly, remember that consistency is vital when using herbal medicines. Many herbs require regular intake over time to achieve desired results. Herbs for a common cold work immediately and the course is only a few days, but the course of treatment for chronic conditions is “a month for every year” the disease has been present. So if you’re treating a 10 year old ailment, it may take a few days, weeks or months to see the first effects.
Practitioners
Be aware that dried herbs are at least 5 times more potent than fresh herbs. Unlike conventional pharmaceuticals, herbs can vary significantly in strength based on factors like source quality and preparation methods. The effect of a particular herb can be changed by how they are prepared. Herbs are often cooked with substances like honey, wine, salt, ginger, and vinegar to detoxify them, potentiate them, or change their effects.
Chinese herbs are usually assigned a dosage range rather than a specific dose. Most whole single herbs are dosed at 6-9 grams a day. But some doses can be as little as .1- .5 grams some powerful or toxic substances. Be sure to consult a TCM Pharmacopia about the dosage range for herbs you use.
When prescribing whole herbs, cooking times should be determined by the nature of the ingredients. To account for this, consider averaging according to the ingredients, or add the herbs to the decoction at different times.
Most minerals, shells, bone have longer cooking times and are separately pre-cooked before other herbs are added to the decoction. Roots and rhizomes are cooked for 30-60 minues, whereas stalk and branch 20-40 minutes. Leaves and flowers are often cooked for only a few minutes and are added to the boiling decoction only 3-5 minutes before completion.
General Dosages
Pills: As prescribed or as directed on the label.
Granules: 2-4 grams, taken 2-3 times a day, best on an empty stomach or as prescribed
Whole Herbs: Using a container made of ceramic, glass, or stainless steel (no aluminum, iron or copper) boil 1 packet of herbs in 2-quarts of water or until 2 cups of medicine remain.
Strain herbs; save and refrigerate for a second boiling. Drink 1 cup in the AM. And 1 cup in the PM. If desired, repeat the following day, using the saved herbs from the refrigerator.
How to Cook Herbs
The potent odors and flavors of medicinal herbs are legendary. Boiling the herbs and drinking the tea will provide the fullest experience of these medicines. Here are a few pointers on how to prepare and decoct Chinese herbs. For more basic information see A Patient's Guide to Chinese Medicine.
Herbs are generally boiled for 20 - 60 minutes. After boiling the dregs are strained out and the remaining "tea" is taken warm or at room temperature, usually twice a day and most often on an empty stomach when possible.
Boiling times for a formula are averaged according to the composition of the formula. For example, flower and leaf will yield medicine in 5-20 minutes. bark, and branches take 20 to 40 minutes; Roots take a bit longer and shells and minerals must cook for at least one hour and are usually pre-boiled in advance of the other herbs in the formula.
A few herbs that contain volatile oils, like mint or citrus peel, must be quick-boiled for only 1-5 minutes lest they lose their valuable volatile oils. These herbs are added separately to the boiling mixture just before completion. There are also a number of herbs, such as Cordyceps, SAN QI, or Indigo powder that are not cooked at all but are added to the strained decoction.
A Few Tips
First, while cooking herbs, ventilate the kitchen. This stops the odor from deterring you (and your family). If you find the taste of your medicine disagreeable, hold your nose when you drink your herbs. This eliminates almost all the taste. Drink your herbs lukewarm or at room temperature. Hot liquids must be sipped slowly. If you hate the taste, you'll want to drink it down quickly. Cold liquids have less taste but may be hard to digest.After drinking your medicine, chew a few raisins or place a drop of lemon juice on your tongue to eliminate any aftertaste.
Herbs can be absorbed up to 30% better when taken on an empty stomach. Allow at least a half hour after taking herbs before eating or taking additional medicines. There are some exceptions. If your medicine proves difficult to digest, try taking it with food or after eating. Some doctors believe that formulas designed for the upper body should be taken after eating. Some medicines are best taken with other liquids such as wine (injuries or vascular problems), broth (to aid digestion of the herbs), or salt water (messenger to the Kidneys).
Tinctures are best diluted with a small amount of water to reduce the caustic effect of the solvents they contain. Heating these liquids can evaporate some solvent. Use a small amount steaming hot water to dissolve water extracted granules (powdered). The hotter the water, the better these dissolve. If the water is too hot, however, you'll be forced to sip your medicine. So let it cool or add a little cold water. I briefly stir in an ice cube. Instant cold without a lot of extra liquid to swallow.
Milled powders can be boiled, taken as tablets or steeped as a draught (teabag).
