Chinese Herbal Medicine | Preparation (Crude Herbs)

Dosage.                                                                                                                                                                    

Usually seven bags  (to last fourteen days). Unless specially directed.

Prepare a new bag of herbs every two days. Drink 1 cup/mug warm (reheat briefly) twice daily, am/pm. Add honey to taste if you want. Still take herbs if you do not eat at these times.

Preparation Instructions.
                                                                                                                                 
1. Precook (only if directed)
Empty the contents of one bag, these need to be cooked first in a non-aluminium/non-iron saucepan (use ceramic, glass, pyrex, enamel or stainless steel). Add one pints of cold water. Bring to the boil then simmer gently with the lid on for thirty minutes. Turn the heat off.  Then empty the contents of one of the main bags of herbs into the water in which you cooked the first herb (do not remove the first herb).

2. Main Cook
Empty contents of one bag of herbs in a non-aluminium/non-iron saucepan (use ceramic, glass, pyrex, enamel or stainless steel), add three pints of cold water. Stir and leave to soak for at least half an hour (overnight if possible). (Still cook the herbs if you do not have time to do this).

(When soaking ensure herbs sit below the level of water - if they do not please add more water).

Bring to the boil then simmer herbs for 30 minutes with the lid on (allow a little steam to escape). Reducing the liquor by half (1½ pints).

Strain off the herbs. Repeat step 2 again with one pint of water and the strained herbs

3. End Cook (if directed)
Empty the contents of the second bag of herbs, five minutes before the end of boiling.

Notes:
Step 1 is only used with herbs which by their nature are difficult to extract the active constituents from.
Step 2 is repeated to extract the maximum amount of active ingredients. This second stage should leave you with approximately 2 pints (which equals about ½ a pint per dose).
Step 3 is only used with herbs which by their nature contain ingredients that are easily extracted and therefore less robust.

Serving.                                                                                                                                                              

Pour simmered fluid through a sieve into a non-metal, non-plastic bowl leaving the herbs in the pot. Throw the herbs away keeping the fluid to drink. Approximately two pints over two days or ½ a pint per dose.


Important: Please read the following

Adverse reactions to Chinese herbs are extremely rare. However, it is very important that you stop taking the herbal medicine if you feel unwell with following symptoms:
Loss of appetite, tiredness, nausea, diarrhoea, fever or flu like symptoms, joint pains, headaches, yellowing of the eyes, itching, right upper abdominal discomfort. If you have these or any other reaction to the herbs which concern you, stop taking the herbs and contact me.
Stop taking the herbs if you get a cold or flu.
Stop taking the herbs during menstruation.

Please inform me if you are taking or start taking any other medication.
Take the herbal medicine at least an hour apart from any other medication.
Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice whilst you are taking Chinese herbs.
Contact me if you are unsure about how to prepare or take Chinese herbs.
Contact me if you have any other problems with the herbs.