Varying herb dosages

[Guest guest]

One never increases the recommended dose of an herb. One adds

another herb from the same class.

 

However there are times when the dose should not be the maximum.

Like for children and very small adults. Part of TCM herbal training

is how to determine the correct dose for the individual's size and

age. Dosages may need to be modified for the very old as well as the

very young. Also for those who are very sick.

 

Addtional info on methods of administering herbs. Sometimes herbs

are administered via medicinal wines. However these wines are

recommended for people who are older or people who have experienced

certain chronic imbalances - in particular Cold imbalances. They are

not for young or middle-aged people unless the person has been

chronically ill. They are contraindicated for people who are Yin

Deficient or who have Damp Heat or those who have lost a lot of

blood. In cases of Yin Deficiency and/or Damp Heat, if they must be

used, they are to be used with extreme caution and with the

appropriate herbs for the Yin Deficiency and Damp Heat. There is a

class of YaoJiu (medicinal wines and elixers) for clearing Heat and

treating Dampness by increasing urination. (Info taken from Chinese

Medicinal Wines & Exlixirs by Bob Flaws, pp. 3-8.)

 

From the standpoint of Western diagnoses, Medicinal wines are

contraindicated and should be used with extreme caution (if at all)

by people with " polysystemic chronic candidiasis " (Dampness),

diabetes mellitus (probable Yin Deficiency), rheumatoid arthritis

(not rheumatic or osteoarthritis) (Dampness), lupus erythematosus,

multiple sclerosis (Dampness and Heat), and people with immune

deficiencies and autoimmune disorders. (p. 4.)

 

Main points for students to remember: Medicinal wines are best used

for cold conditions - in particular Cold Bi Syndrome (arthritis).

They are contraindicated for the young and middle-aged unless the

person has suffered particular chronic conditions (in particular

Cold conditions). Keep in mind that alcohol is classified as toxic

in TCM.

 

The dosage is very small. Usually the size of a shot class or

smaller. The percentage of alcohol is a function of the type of wine

or alcohol that is called for in the recipe.