Cooking Instructions for Raw Herbs

1. Get a non-metallic pot: If you do not have a non-metallic pot, stainless steel is ok, however, it interacts with some herbs. We recommend Corningware or a clay pot designed for cooking herbal formulas.
2. Cover the herbs with purified water and soak for 30 - 60 minutes (the longer the better).
3. Bring herbs to a boil and simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Strain herbs and separate into 2 doses. Generally you take one dose in the morning and one in the evening at least 1 hour before or after meals.

Please Note:

• Always take herbal formulas warm or at room temperature. Never heat with a microwave.

• The taste of the herbs creates an immediate reaction in the body and is an important part of taking the formulas. However, if the taste is unbearable and it is difficult to swallow, try drinking it with a straw and keep the straw toward the back of your tongue. Also some people put a little ginger juice or pickled ginger (from sushi) on the tongue before and/or after drinking the decoction to cut the taste...but that changes some of the property of the formula. Don't drink juices, etc. to cover the taste. Also be aware that pickled ginger tends to be spiked with nutrasweet.

• If you have any discomfort or reactions that weren’t explained to you ahead of time, stop taking the formula and call us.

• If you have never taken herbs before and especially if you have food sensitivities it is a good idea to take a small sip and wait several hours to make sure you are not allergic to any of the herbs.

As always, if you ever get symptoms that seem like an emergency, call 911.

Special Instructions:

1. For Colds and Flus: simmer the formula for 20 minutes and drink warm. Cover up with blankets after drinking the formula. If you start sweating that is the body pushing the cold out. However, if the sweating is profuse or doesn't stop within a few minutes, discontinue the formula and contact us.

2. For formulas to treat sleep disorders: simmer the formula for 45 minutes. Drink at room temperature or slightly cool in the evening and then again 1 hour before bed.