Tips for Taking Herbal Medicine

Both Chinese Medicine practitioners and naturopaths use herbal medicine to help support specific systems and organs, drive beneficial changes in the body, and improve whole body health.

At The Fertility Pod, we prescribe different types of herbal medicine.

This information is to support you in how to take the different types of herbs, and learn a little more about them.

Herbal Granules

Granules are a powdered form of Chinese herbs, making it simpler for you to take them.The general dosage is 2-3g, 2-3 times per day; however, your practitioner may prescribe you a variation on this. Mix the prescribed amount of herbs in very hot/boiling water and drink once they are cool enough to drink but still hot (like a tea). Please do not use metal or plastic for the herbal tea mixture.

Things to note:

The herbal granules won’t dissolve completely.
The taste of the herbs often have a therapeutic effect – mix with water when drinking them. Do not add sweetener or juice.
The price of the herbs may change each visit depending on which herb mix the practitioner prescribes for you – herbs vary in price!

Granules are made with an extraction of Chinese herbs mixed with corn starch. We use KO DA herbs, which have undergone strict quality control tests.

Herbal Tinctures

These herbs are in an alcohol extract – one of the most effective ways to extract the active and medicinal constituents of the herbs.

They may be prescribed in dropper dosages or millilitres (ml). E.g.,

We will provide you with a measuring cup or dropper. Mix the measured herbs in a 1/4 – 1/2 glass of water or juice.

The amount of alcohol that is in herbal tinctures is safe for fertility and pregnancy. However, if you would like to reduce the alcohol in the herbal medicine (e.g., for cultural reasons) you may heat the measured herbal mixture in water so that the alcohol evaporates – alcohol evaporates at 78.37 C whereas water evaporates at 100 C.

Herbal Pills

These small round pills are often used for Chinese herbs. Because of their small size, the number of pills taken is often much higher than tablets and capsules.

Some benefits of the pills are that they are easy to swallow or can be chewed.

Herbal Tablets and Capsules

These herbs have been compacted into easy-to-take tablets or capsules. Take as directed from your practitioner.

If you have any questions about taking herbal medicine, please feel free to contact us on 03 9348 2867.