Using Herbal Products

 

There are many and varied ways to prepare herbs but these days that necessity has been largely removed by modern manufacturing and preparation methods. These days you will receive your herbal medicines in one of four ways:

• Teas or Infusions – This is the most potent way to gain the most from the properties of the herb in many cases particularly if you are using the leaves or flowers of a herb. Teas can be easily combined also and often these days modern manufacturers will sell teas in combinations for best therapeutic effect. When using a tea or infusion, be sure to let it steep for several minutes to extract the useful properties of the herb, if it has a particularly distasteful flavour, use a little honey to sweeten it up.
• Capsules – These usually contain dried, powdered herb and are also a very useful way to take herbs particularly root herbs or herbs with a less than favourable taste. This is a great way for manufacturers to combine herbs into very effective combinations. Be sure to take with plenty of water. This is a very effective way to take herbal medicines.
• Tablets – These are largely for herbal preparations that need a long shelf life and that are in combination. This is also a very effective way to take herbal medicines. Again, be sure to take with plenty of water.
• Liquid Extracts – These are very useful as they are potent, have a long shelf life and allow for customized mixing combinations for greater benefit. This is what most naturopaths and herbalists will use these days. It is NOT recommended that you attempt to purchase and mix your own liquid extracts unless you have sound knowledge, most liquid preparations you can purchase from you health food store are premixed for best effect anyway. Liquid extracts can be a bit on the yucky side taste wise, so use some fruit juice to take your doses, makes it much nicer! Some extracts are prepared in alcohol so be aware of this if alcohol is a problem, there are other brands around that are not prepared in alcohol. Liquid extracts are very effective and a great way to take herbal medicines.

 

Dosing:  Always follow the advice of your professional naturopath or herbalists when using professionally made products. For products purchased off the shelf, stick to recommended dosing and you shouldn’t have any problems. All products sold in Australia must have a full disclosure of ingredients and amounts used in each product so you should always read the ingredients list and ask about anything you are unsure of. Like I have mentioned before, the herbs used in formulations these days have a long history of safety and effectiveness and are being backed up more and more by science so you are safe, but it is always worth asking for your own knowledge.

How Long Before It Works?? Well this will vary from person to person and it also depends in what form you are taking your herbs. For immune system boosting herbs it can take a while for the effects to be felt, around 7 days or so on average. Digestive type herbs can be felt around a similar time or even sooner for some. The longer term benefits of herbs usually become apparent after 4-6 weeks of use. If you are looking at using herbal medicines for longer term use and therapy, best to consult a naturopath or professional herbalist as some herbs lose their effect after long term use or some can produce other effects in the body like runny stools etc. These can be easily avoided by getting advice from the professionals and herbs can be used then very safely and effectively longer term.

Are Herbs Safe For Children? Generally herbal medicines are tolerated very well by children and these days many manufacturers are tailoring products specifically to kids and their special needs. Children’s systems are so pure and the avoidance of pharmaceuticals is very beneficial to them developing sturdy and healthy immune, digestive and nervous systems. Because of their purity, they need not have has much as adults. If using liquid extracts, follow dosing instructions. If you have been given liquid extracts from a professional herbalist or naturopath, then they will have worked out correct dosing for the child and all you need do is follow that. Childrens dosing is worked by using their weight and age in a formula that results in an accurate dosing for the child, it is very safe.

Allergies: If you have a known allergy to a particular herb, then avoid it and let your herbalist or naturopath know about it. If you have an allergy to certain plants or foods, then seek professional advice before using herbal medicines. Some herbs are from the same family of plants in some cases and can react to people sensitive to other plants or foods in that same family. Allergies can occur unknowingly as well. Sometimes you don’t know you are allergic to a herb until you have taken it. This is nobody’s fault, not yours, not your therapists, nobody knew. If after taking your herbs, you notice a blood sugar drop, heart palpitations, nervousness, itching, rashing, swelling anywhere in the body, very dry mouth, unusual drowsiness or anything else that is unusual, cease taking the herbal medicine immediately and seek professional help and also notify your prescribing therapist so they can make note of it and avoid it in the future. I can say quite happily that in my experience, I have only ever had one person turn out to be allergic to a formula and it was only some minor rashing. It is very rare for this to occur but worth you knowing about all the same. Herbal medicines on the whole are very safe and effective.

**As a general note, most health food stores and pharmacies have staff that are well trained in vitamin and herbal supplement recommendations and many now have a resident naturopath in the store to help answer questions and offer professional advice before and whilst selecting natural medicines. Make use of this service as it ensures you are getting the best you can and eliminates any unnecessary purchasing.

Have a great day!

Craig Hitchens. B.HSc.(Natural Health Care) Dip. Massage, Dip. Reflexology, NESCP ATFTCP