Guide to taking supplements
Please read this guide to safe dispensing of supplements and natural medicines.
You may have tablets (pills), powders and liquids, all formulated to be used at specific doses.
The usual dosing schedule is twice daily, morning and evening, with food. Three times daily is usually unnecessary, some medicines are dosed once daily only.
How to measure powders and liquids
Keep a set of measuring spoons available in the kitchen. They’re an inexpensive and necessary kitchen tool. The set should have 5 spoons based on the teaspoon. In the middle of the set there’s a teaspoon of 5 ml in volume.
- 1.25 ml – ¼ teaspoon
- 2.5 ml – ½ teaspoon
- 5 ml – 1 teaspoon
- 7.5 ml – 1 dessertspoon
- 15 ml – 1 tablespoon
Our clinic formula are batched as powders with the doses matched to the measuring spoon set.
All the herbal extracts are liquids which must be dispensed from a measuring spoon.
Cautions for starting with any new remedy
The first rule is “start low and slow”.
The second rule is “if you suspect adverse effects – stop”.
There’s nothing to be gained and potentially a lot to lose by trying to push through unpleasant reactions to any treatment. If it makes you feel unwell it’s a strong sign that must be respected. Stop using it, wait a day for it clear from your system, recommence at a half or quarter dose.
If you have a problem with a product or prescription we have provided or recommended we expect you to let us know. See our Terms of Sale
Children
Treat children with a lot of respect. Avoid making the supplements difficult or horrible for them until you’re sure they’re on-board with you about their benefit and have no qualms about their doses. Always make medicines as easy and pleasant to take as possible, even if it means lesser doses or adding sweet juice. Kids tend to be co-operative in the beginning but quickly get sick of unpleasant medicines and it’s OVER. FINISH. Nothing will persuade them to take that horrible stuff again.
Tablets and Pills
If the tablets are in a bottle they should not be shaken out into your hand. Putting them into your hand and then back into the bottle is sure to degrade them over time.
- Dispense the required number of tablets by shaking them into the bottle cap.
- Now it’s safe and easier to put them into your hand.
- Have a half glass of water ready to wash them down with.
- Tablets are usually taken at mealtime, take your dose at the start of the meal so they’re surrounded by food and included in digestion.
- If the dosing advice specifies “on an empty stomach” take the tablet at least a half hour before a meal or at least two hours after a meal.
The next step is up to you, the individual. The tablet travels down the esophagus easiest if its inside a generous mouthful of water.
Some people must take only one tablet at a time, some people can swallow down a handful. Some people take them with a morning smoothie or with a chewed mouthful of food.
If taking a tablet is too much of a challenge they may be crushed and washed down with a mouthful of water.
Powders
It’s important the dose of powder is accurately measured. If there’s no spoon included in the container of powder use your own measuring spoon.
Powders are usually stirred into some water in a glass and swallowed.
Once a container of powder is opened it should be steadily used until empty. Otherwise it will absorb moisture, become cakey and set solid. It could also grow bacteria or fungi.
Liquids
Liquids may be either taken directly from a spoon, or the measure may be stirred into water or juice in a glass.
Herbal Fluid Extracts
Most herbal extracts are batched individually as a formula containing a few different herbs. The dose is usually designed to be 15ml daily, as 7.5 ml morning and evening. That is, 100ml will last a week.
Because the extracts contain raw herbal essences in an ethanol blend they can often taste awful, keep the water to a single mouthful only. They may be stirred into a shot of juice which is almost essential for kids.
If alcohol is a problem the dose may be placed in warm or hot water, no hotter than you can hold a finger in. Allow some minutes to cool, the alcohol should be mostly evaporated.
You may also ask for a glycetract formula where the alcohol has been evaporated off and replaced with glycerine which leaves the herbal mix with a pleasant sweetish taste. However not many herbs are available as glycetracts.
Loading Dose: With a new formula, start with a half dose as usual. Then increase steadily until the desired effect is achieved, after which the dose may be reduced to that which is effective. This works well with cough and expectorant medication for example, but for best effect take a standard dose every half hour rather than one massive dose. Always decrease to standard dose as soon as possible.
