Should I take Chinese herbs?
Chinese herbal formulas are able to help a wide variety of conditions. They may be taken as a preventative tonic or as a treatment in their own right. Only your practitioner can say whether herbs would be good for your present condition. There are few contraindications for taking a formula, though concerns can be discussed on a case by case basis.
How do I take them?
Chinese herbs come in a variety of forms. We will start with the most simple to use.
Patent medicines: Patent medicines, unless applied externally, come in pill form. They are either vitamin like pills, mostly manufacured in the US, or small round "bebes" called teapills, manufactured in China. All products from China are inspected according to GMP certification, and are free of harmful materials. Vitamin size pills are taken in doses of 1 to 3 at a time. Teapills are generally taken 8 to 12 at a time. All prescribed herbs should be taken according to your practictioners reccomendations. Because patents are premade, they cannot be individually modified, but may be modified by taking an additional patent.
Granule formulas: Granule formulas are fully customizable, down to the gram weights of each herb. They are easy to take either dissolved in hot water to make a tea, eaten in applesauce, or simply taken with water.
Bulk herb formulas: These formulas consist of dried leaves, twigs, berries, flowers, roots, and animal products. They are often the most effective way to use Chinese herbs, but also the most time consuming. They require boiling for 1-2 hours, every few days. After a decoction is made, it may be stored in the refridgerator and reheated for drinking. It should be taken as a warm tea.
Patent medicines: Patent medicines, unless applied externally, come in pill form. They are either vitamin like pills, mostly manufacured in the US, or small round "bebes" called teapills, manufactured in China. All products from China are inspected according to GMP certification, and are free of harmful materials. Vitamin size pills are taken in doses of 1 to 3 at a time. Teapills are generally taken 8 to 12 at a time. All prescribed herbs should be taken according to your practictioners reccomendations. Because patents are premade, they cannot be individually modified, but may be modified by taking an additional patent.
Granule formulas: Granule formulas are fully customizable, down to the gram weights of each herb. They are easy to take either dissolved in hot water to make a tea, eaten in applesauce, or simply taken with water.
Bulk herb formulas: These formulas consist of dried leaves, twigs, berries, flowers, roots, and animal products. They are often the most effective way to use Chinese herbs, but also the most time consuming. They require boiling for 1-2 hours, every few days. After a decoction is made, it may be stored in the refridgerator and reheated for drinking. It should be taken as a warm tea.
How do they taste?
Patent medicines taste like every other vitamin, not delicious but not unpalateable. Granule and bulk formulas taste like the materials they are made from--leaves and twigs. As you may imagine, this isn't terribly pleasant but also not impossible to drink.
How long will I take them?
Herbal formulas may be prescribed for a variety of conditions. Chronic conditions usually require continued use of the herbs, until the condition completely resolves. The formula may be changed many times to suit the changing condition, sometimes ending with a "tonic" formula meant to keep the condition from reoccuring. Temporary conditions, such as the common cold, require herbs only as long as the symptoms last. This may be one day, or several weeks.
Bulk herb market in Daegu, South Korea
Herbal prescription ready to go in Nanjing, China
