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The sheet that comes with your herbal granules is written for that product and prescription. Christine explains what to check and why older herb-cooking terms should not be applied to granules.

When a new bottle of herbal granules arrives, the written sheet that comes with it can look like something to skim. In fact, it is the part of the prescription that tells you how to measure, prepare and store that particular product, and no general article can replace it.

Why each product has its own directions

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, prescribes Chinese herbal medicine at the Lane Cove clinic as granules in labelled containers. Formulas differ, and so do the amounts and routines that go with them. The directions you receive are written for your product and your prescription, not for herbal medicine in general.

Older cooking terms do not apply

Some people have seen notes on traditional prescriptions such as ‘add later’ or ‘wrap separately’. Those phrases belong to methods for cooking loose ingredients, and the clinic does not supply raw herbs for that kind of preparation. Please do not apply those terms to your granules; follow the instructions supplied with your bottle instead.

A walk-through for a new product

Christine is happy to go through every line of the sheet with you, particularly the first time you use a new product. Check that:

• the name on the bottle matches the name on the sheet;
• you know how much to measure for each dose;
• you know what to mix it with and when to take it;
• you know where to store the bottle and when it should no longer be used.

Resisting shortcuts

If you have used herbal granules before, it can be tempting to repeat a routine from an earlier prescription because it feels familiar. Please do not substitute one set of directions for another. Each product may need its own approach.

Keeping the details together

Keep the sheet with the original label. Tell Christine when another doctor changes your medicines, and let your pharmacist know you are using a herbal product. Feeling off and wondering whether the granules are responsible? Speak with her before altering how much you take.

A quick question is always welcome

If a line on the sheet suddenly looks unfamiliar, send Christine a short message before taking the next dose. She would much rather clear up a small doubt than have you guess, and you can bring the bottle to your next Lane Cove visit to look at it together.