Use a 2 liter or 1.5 liter thermos.

 

Cooked Chinese herbs can have a strong or unusual taste to some. The taste is part of the medicine. The body’s response to the taste is therapeutic. Your tastebuds regrow every 7 to 11 days. Eventually, the more you take the herbs, the more comfortable you will become with the flavor.

 

• 1 packet of herbs = 2 days of medicine

• Preheat your thermos by filling it up with hot tap water

• Bring 2 to 1.5 Liters (6 - 8 cups of water to a boil)

• Once the water on the stove is boiling, empty your thermos of tap water - and put in your herbs. This can be tricky - some of the herbs may need to be broken up. Making a temporary paper funnel can help.

• Carefully pour the boiling water into the thermos. Ideally fill it up to the top to help maintain the heat.*

• Seal up the thermos & let it sit for 12 hours

• After 12 hours strain out liquid– you should get about 4 to 6 cups of tea – this is your medicine

• Divide the medicinal tea into four doses - a quart size mason jar or two pint size mason jars work perfectly. Each dose should be about 1 to 1 1/2 cups of liquid*

• Take one dose in the morning, one dose in the evening each day – ideally slightly warm.** You may add boiling water to heat the tea up or warm it on the stove.***

• Store medicinal tea in the refrigerator

• Used herbs can be composted

 

*This process is not an exact science so you may have to make adjustments of the quantity of water used to end up with the right amount of medicine (about 2 cups). Remember you are looking to have enough liquid for about 1 to 3 cups of liquid per day (1/2 to 1 1/2 cup per dose). Depending on the formula size, this amount of liquid may vary.

 

** Ideally drink the herbs 1 hour apart from any pharmaceuticals (either before or after).

 

***Take on an empty stomach, unless otherwise instructed or you experience any digestive discomfort from the herbs.

 

This method is derived from Andrew & Julie Nugent-Head (https://www.thealternativeclinic.org/for-patients/)