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An appealing package says little about suitability. Christine explains why her herbal granules come in labelled bottles with written directions, and which questions to ask before you begin.

Looks can be misleading

An attractive box or a product that resembles one you have seen before can feel reassuring. Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, points out that neither impression tells you what you really need to know about whether a preparation suits your health. What counts is clear identification and written instructions you can follow.

Christine dispenses Chinese herbal medicine as granules in labelled bottles. Each bottle comes with directions written for the person who receives it, covering how to measure, how to prepare and how to store the granules.

Questions to ask about any preparation

When Christine suggests a herbal product, ask her:

• What does this preparation contain?
• How exactly should I follow the written directions?
• When will we review the plan together?
• If a dose is forgotten or something unexpected crops up, who do I contact?

Clear answers make it easier to use the product as intended and to recognise when it is time to check in.

Keep the label with the product

It can be tempting to tip granules into a smaller jar or an unmarked container for convenience. Where possible, keep them in the original labelled bottle so the name and directions are always at hand. If anything about the instructions puzzles you, ask Christine before using the product rather than borrowing directions from a different preparation.

When your medicines change

If your GP alters any of your medicines, let Christine know before continuing with the herbal plan. Advice given at one point may need revisiting once other care changes. The same applies if you start a new supplement or stop one, and your pharmacist should know about the herbal product too.

Unsure about a new symptom?

If something unexpected appears and you cannot tell whether the granules are involved, contact the clinic for guidance rather than adjusting the dose by guesswork.

Reading a label side by side

During a visit to the Lane Cove clinic, Christine can hold up the bottle she has in mind and go through each line of its label with you. If you already use other herbal products at home, pop them in a bag and bring them along.