How To Use TCM Remedies

When you get some prescription in forms of raw herbs from an herbalist or a TCM doctor, he or she will tell you in detail how to prepare it including water quantity, temperature and length of time to cook. Some herbs may have to be thrown in first and some later. Generally you are asked to use a pottery pot (metal pot is to be avoided) and submerge the herbs with water and boil for 3-5 minutes in case of diaphoretics and aromatics, and boil and then simmer for 30-60 minutes in case of tonics, and at the end get a cup of juice. The juice is divided into two parts and take one before bed and one before breakfast.

For other finished products in forms of capsules, tablets, pills or vials, most of the time it is recommended to take on an empty stomach for easy assimilation. Some may have to be taken shortly before meal or with meal because they may be irritating to the stomach. The best way of course is to follow the instructions on the label or from a health care professional.

Every patient is different. Sometimes some more caution is necessary. If you experience some unusual symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, etc, after using TCM products, you may stop for two or three days, then resume at half dosage and take at full strength gradually to get used to the product. For some who have never used TCM products it may be necessary to try half of dosage and then take on the full strength when no adverse symptoms occur.

When you take TCM products continuously, it is often necessary to take for 6 days and stop for one day and then resume. For some strong remedies, taking for 5 days and rest for two is a good idea. For chronic situations, one should not take TCM products more than three months at a time. After three months, one should take time off for two to four weeks before begin another regimen.

If you are taking conventional medication, it is advisable to ask your health professionals if you can take TCM formulas and how.

Conventional drugs are killing people every day and that is considered normal, but if an alternative medicine kills someone it becomes a drama. We should not be frightened by those fanfares. We have to make informed decisions when our health is in stake.