Dosage of Medicinal Herbs

One question that I am asked very often regarding medicinal herbs is “How much do I take?” This is a good question, for having an appropriate dose can make the difference between the medicine being effective, ineffective, or excessive (which could lead to side effects). The problem is that dosage depends on many factors and is not necessarily easy to figure out.

A person’s weight, activity, diet, severity of illness, and willingness to comply with a protocol are all factors that influence the dosage of medicinal herbs. Further, the quality of the herbs and possibly the product that they were made into affect the dosage. Plus, there is the mysterious reality that people react differently to certain herbs than other people. Results and reactions from herbs depend on a person’s physical make up.

Occasionally, someone will respond unusually well to a relatively small dose of herbal medicine. This seems to be due to finding the exact herb that is appropriate for such a person and/or a placebo effect that is due to the fact that a person is ready for healing. We must remember that one of the principles of holistic healing is that illness is a message, and if the message is understood, we can regain health. Herbs are not natural pharmaceuticals but allies that assist us in self-healing. If a person is ready to make the change that their illness is suggesting of them, they might need less help (a smaller dosage) than the person who is quite aloof to the underlying cause of their illness.

So, we find that dosage of herbal medicines is not black and white. This is one of the main arguments against herbal medicine. People will argue that it is unsafe to use herbs because the plants themselves are so complex and variable, and herbalists and manufacturers have different methods of making herbal products that have different results. I think, however, that this gray area is simply a reflection of how real herbal medicine is. Life is not black and white- why would herbal medicine be? The lack of ability to use herbs suggests the need for more awareness more than it suggests a problem with herbs themselves.

It is probably smart, as a general rule, to always start with a conservative dose. One will never know exactly how they will respond to an herb until they try it. If there are no adverse effects, it is probably safe to take a more sufficient dose.

Another very basic rule of thumb is to know the particular herb you are taking. Some herbs are safe even in very high doses (such as being eaten freely as food), while some should be taken in small amounts (sometimes only a couple drops of tincture). So first, know if the herb you are using is very safe in high doses, safe in moderate doses, or only appropriate in specific cases at specific doses. If the herb is generally considered safe at high doses, then you can increase the dose until you see results (given, of course, that you have tested your reaction to it as explained in the previous paragraph).

Echinacea can be very effective for infections. It works wonders when it is used during early onset and at a sufficient dose. If the dose is not high enough during the acute stage of an infection, it is likely that it will not work. For most people, Echinacea is quite safe to take in large doses. If it is the right herb for your condition, the dosage should be increased until it is found effective.

Goldenseal is also very effective for infections, and like Echinacea, it should be used quickly and at a sufficient dose. However, the indications and contra-indications for Goldenseal are more specific, and it is not as safe to take in large doses. (And if you have ever tasted the strong bitterness of Goldenseal, you would realize that it would be difficult to take large doses anyway.) Wild Indigo is another herb that can be very powerful in to counter infections, but that should not be overused. With herbs like Goldenseal and Wild Indigo, it would be wise to understand the possible symptoms of overuse before using them. (It is beyond this article to discuss such specifics. If you are interested in learning about specifics come to my classes and walks, or see me for a consultation.)

Herbs such as Burdock, Dandelion, Purslane, and Plantain (the yard “weed”- not the tropical fruit) can be safely used as food. Like those herbs mentioned above, they can be helpful for overcoming infections, but they may not be as fast-acting. Red Clover and Self-Heal are two common flowers that can be helpful for infections. Again, they are quite safe, but perhaps less strong.

In general, we find that those herbs with stronger actions have more specific indications for use along with the greater potential for side effects, while those that have a less definite action are safer for long term use and for a more general use. Those that fall into this latter category are considered tonics. While they might be considered less useful by some because of their less definite action, they could also be considered more helpful in general, for if people get into the habit of using tonic herbs and foods, they have less need of stronger medicines because they remain healthy.

The question “How much do I take?” can only be answered on an individual basis. Often when people are using common herbs that they know well, they simply go by how they feel. Some days they take more, some days less. While this is not a reliable method in all cases, it is a nice protocol for those that are using tonic herbs over a long period of time. Herbal medicine is the medicine of the people. I think it is important for people to learn how to understand dosage of medicinal herbs as much as possible. Of course, there are many situations when it is best to work with an herbalist to determine the best dosage and the timeframe for using the medicine.

Sometimes you will only need herbs for a short period of time. If you have an infection, for instance, you might only need medicine while the infection is actively getting worse. In some cases, a single dose of the right herbs can turn an infection around. In other cases, such as with immune deficiency, you might need to take herbs for a long period of time. Reishi Mushroom and Astragalus may become regular medicine for you in such a case. If you are interested in taking herbs over a long period of time to correct a chronic condition, you will want to know what herbs are safe to use over an extended period of time. Often when herbs are used for chronic conditions, the dosage is smaller and the focus is on making it regular. The condition is then slowly but surely improved at a deeper level. In some cases, herbs are used for a couple weeks and then stopped for a period of time before starting up again.

Although I cannot easily answer the question of dosage in an article, I cannot overemphasize the importance of dose. As I mention in the beginning of this article, the dose can make the difference between an herb working wonders, being ineffective, or causing side effects. Please learn more. Be your own doctor.

In summary, some main points to remember about dosage of medicinal herbs are:

• Start with a small dose.
• Know the safe dose of the herb. (Is it easy to overdose?)
• Know the safe period of time for taking. (Can it be used for an extended period of time?)
• Take enough, but not too much.

Nathaniel Whitmore practices herbalism at the Honesdale Wellness Center and at Sacred Spaces Alternative Healing Center. He can be reached at (570) 224-0264 or at wathakes@gmail.com. He regularly teaches classes and leads herb and mushroom identification walks.

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