Medicinal Herbs - How much should I take?

The dose indicated on the bottle is intended for an adult of average weight (which is estimated at 150 pounds). Doses will vary for each individual, therefore adjustments may need to be made depending on your age, weight, the ailment, and the strength of the herb.

The recommended dose is a guideline based on clinical and/or historical evidence. In general, most medicinal herbs take time to take effect, therefore effective use involves consistency and patience. Generally, it is best not to take medicinal herbal supplements continuously for a long period of time without a 'rest' period. Intake can be resumed after an adequate 'rest' period unless the label indicates that the product is "not intended for long-term use". We have not provided a specific time period here, because each herb is different and must be considered on an individual basis.

Caution must be exercised when herbs are going to be taken by children or the elderly. For older people, one-half to two-thirds of the recommended dose is usually adequate. For children, follow Clark's rule described below.

How much should I take if I do not weigh 150 pounds?

Clark's Rule is used to estimate smaller doses for children and adults, whose body weight is more or less than 150 pounds. The dose can be adjusted according to the person's weight as a ratio to the average adult weight of 150 pounds. In order to calculate the child's dose, take the child's weight (number of pounds) and divide it by 150 pounds, then multiply it by the adult dose described on the bottle.

Capsule Example:
For a 50-pound child, divide 50 by 150, which gives you 0.33 (or 1/3rd) of the adult dose. If the adult dose is three capsules, multiply 3 capsules by 0.33 to arrive at the adjusted dose of one capsule for the child.

Liquid Extract Example:
If the adult dose is 30 drops or one teaspoon, then the child's dose (for a 50 pound child) would be 50 divided by 150, then multiply 0.33 by 30 drops to arrive at the child's dose of 10 drops.

How many times per day?

Herbs are best taken throughout the day to maintain a steady level of the medicinal herb circulating in the body. A person who drinks four cups of coffee daily normally does not drink those four cups in a five-minute period, but finds it more beneficial to spread those four cups throughout the day. If it is inconvenient to take an herb three times daily, try twice daily. For acute conditions such as a cold, it is usually helpful to increase the number of times that the herb is taken per day for an optimum effect.

Most herbs do not have an immediate effect in the same way as, for example, aspirin acts on a headache; therefore it is important to take herbs consistently for approximately four to eight weeks before the beneficial effects are seen.

Can I take medicinal herbs with food?

For optimum benefit, the general guideline is to take herbs about an hour after eating. You will still have some food in your stomach, but not so much that the herb will have to compete with the food for absorption. Since the liquid extracts do not require as much digestion, liquid extract products are recommended for people who have impaired or sluggish digestion. In fact, the taste of the herb may stimulate the digestive system, especially if it is one of the many herbs known as a bitter.

What if I have never taken this herb before?

We recommend cutting the dose in half for the first two or three days. Individuals who have multiple allergies and sensitivities it is a good idea to start with a quarter of the dose, and gradually increase to the recommended dose by doubling the amount each time the herb is taken.