How to prepare & take your Chinese herbal medicine tea

You have been prescribed an individualised Chinese herbal medicine tea from your Chinese Medicine Practitioner. Each formula is different, but the instructions for taking your tea are generally the same.

1. Consume your Chinese herbal tea at least 1 hour away from food/coffee/tea, and at least 2 hours away from Western pharmaceutical medications. It’s best to consume the Chinese herbal tea on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before a meal. It doesn’t matter if you miss a dose - when it becomes time for the next dose, just continue on from there. It’s best to spread out the doses as much as possible over the course of the day. E.g. If the instructions say to take the tea 2 times per day, it’s best to take 1 dose in the morning, and then 1 dose in the evening/at night.

2. Using the measuring spoon provided, measure out the dosage from the dried granules as indicated on the jar label. Spoon the granules into the bottom of a teacup.

3. Pour boiling water from a kettle over the top of the granules. It doesn’t matter how much or how little water you add, as long as all the granules have dissolved completely. You may need to give it a stir to encourage the granules to dissolve.

4. Wait until the tea has reached drinking temperature, and slowly sip your tea until it’s all gone. You can wait until the tea has gone lukewarm/cold if you prefer. You can even add a little cold water (after the granules have dissolved) if you wish to make the tea cool quickly.

5. If you feel you need, you may want to clear your palate by having a sip of water or juice after your tea.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS / CAUTION

Cease taking the medicine if you experience extreme gastrointestinal upset. E.g. Vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea. Contact your prescribing Chinese Medicine Practitioner before continuing to take the herbal medicine. If you develop any severe symptoms, please see your local GP clinic/hospital as soon as possible.

Cease taking the medicine if your condition changes. I.e. You are taking the Chinese Herbal Medicine tea for fertility, and you start experiencing a sinus infection. The Chinese herbal medicine may no longer be applicable, and you should discontinue use until you talk to your prescribing practitioner about whether you should continue taking it.

PREGNANCY: Some Chinese herbs are contraindicated during pregnancy. If the formula prescribed to you contains any herbs that are contraindicated during pregnancy, it will be indicated on the label. As a general rule, if you are prescribed herbs for a condition (other than pregnancy or fertility), and you suspect or discover that you are pregnant – you should discontinue use of the Chinese herbal medicine and contact your prescribing practitioner to discuss whether you can continue taking the medicine – even if there is no indication on the label that it is contraindicated for pregnancy.

Lastly, if you have any questions regarding taking your Chinese herbal medicine, please contact the clinic:

ph 0422 550 256

email hello@torquaychinesemedicine.com