Dosage
Boiling teas are the fastest acting form for herbal
formulas. They are also inconvenient, require time and dedication,
and many of them taste and smell bad. Most people find boiling
teas impractical and find it difficult to use this form for extended
periods of time. But for acute conditions, they are undeniably
the best choice. For instructions, see the "How to Boil Teas"
page in the index.
After boiling teas, granule teas are the next
best option with regard to effectiveness. The advantage of granule
teas are that they are easy to prepare; they come in individual
foil packs that can be taken to work or on a trip and simply require
the addition of hot water. In addition, they taste and smell much
better than most boiling teas.
Tablets are more convenient for chronic conditions
and cost less than granule teas. For some conditions, including
chronic Stagnation and chronic Deficiencies, tablets are more
effective.
For certain herbs and formulas, it is best to
keep the herbs' original properties and therefore avoid any process
that would heat the contents. For these formulas, we offer capsules
filled with raw powder for best possible results.
Standard dosage for adults, 120-180 lbs. Decrease
or increase the dosage accordingly, based on weight:
(See Appendix 1: How to Boil Tea)
| 1 bag raw tea |
|
2-3 boils per day |
| 1 package granule tea |
2-3 times per day |
2-3 packages granule tea per
day |
| 4-5 (400 mg) tablets |
3 times per day |
12-15 tablets per day |
| 3-5 capsules |
3 times per day |
9-15 capsules per day |
| children 6-12 years |
1/2 the adult dosage |
| children age 3-6 |
1/3 the adult dosage |
| children age 1-3 |
1/4 the adult dosage |
| infants less than 1 |
1/6 the adult dosage |
Very rarely, patients will experience stomach upset or diarrhea.
If this happens, either 1) decrease dosage 2) try alternative
formulas 3) consider the possible existence of a special condition
such as an allergic condition, stomach weakness or Spleen Deficiency
or 4) consult with an herbal master.
Courses of Treatment
Most practitioners will suggest one to three weeks
of herbs to start. As long as patients continue to notice improvement
of their symptoms without side effects, it is best to continue
with the same course of treatment. If the symptoms completely
resolve and diagnostic methods (tongue, pulse, nails, etc.) indicate
that the patient is healthy, treatment can be discontinued. If,
during the course of treatment, the patient reaches a plateau
or begins to feel worse, the formulas need to be changed; the
original formula or formulas suggested have finished their job
and it is necessary to reassess the situation through history
taking and diagnostic methods in order to move to the next stage
of treatment.
Combining Formulas
It is common to combine two or more formulas at
one time in order to address the full scope of the patient's problems.
For ideas on how best to combine formulas, look to the "Combinations"
section of the formula pages. Here you will find suggestions for
combining formulas given the existence of multiple conditions
and/or symptoms. The "Disease Profiles" section also
offers invaluable information regarding how best to combine formulas
in order to treat specific underlying conditions expediently and
successfully.
