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The Most Overlooked Factor in Herbal Medicine: Dosage
- KhadiYah Preciado
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Let’s be real—many people use herbs like they’re seasoning: sprinkling a little bit here and there, expecting big results. Meanwhile, when it comes to pharmaceuticals, people take precise, measured doses. But with herbs? They’ll drink one weak cup of tea and wonder why nothing’s changing. Herbs are medicine, so why wouldn’t dosage matter?
Dosage is the key difference between an herb being effective or a waste of time. Yet, many people (even herbalists!) get it wrong. If you're still thinking about herbs in terms of “a little chamomile tea” instead of therapeutic dosing, extraction methods, and potency levels, you're missing out on the full power of herbal medicine.
1. Taking Too Little & Expecting Big Results
Most people are underdosing their herbs and don’t even realize it.
Example:
A pinch of ginger in hot water is NOT going to fix deep-seated inflammation.
One drop of tincture in a glass of water is NOT a clinical dose.
A single tea bag steeped for two minutes? You might as well drink water.
The Fix: Therapeutic dosing.
A real medicinal cup of tea? At least 2-3 teaspoons of dried herb, steeped for 15+ minutes.
A proper tincture dose? Usually 30-60 drops per dose, multiple times a day, not just “a few drops when I remember.”
Using capsules? Check how much actual herb you’re getting. Many store-bought capsules are under-dosed.
Herbs aren’t weak. People just aren’t taking enough.
2. Not Understanding the Right Extraction Method
Not all herbs work best as tea. Not all herbs work best as tinctures. If you’re using the wrong preparation method, you’re missing the medicine.
Example:
Reishi & Chaga: If you’re taking these mushrooms as a tincture made with ONLY alcohol, you're missing out on their medicinal benefits. These mushrooms need hot water extraction to pull out their polysaccharides—the compounds that boost immunity and fight inflammation.
Marshmallow Root: If you're boiling it, you’ve destroyed the mucilage that makes it effective for soothing the gut and lungs. This herb needs a cold infusion to work properly.
Cinnamon: If you’re just taking cinnamon capsules, you’re missing the benefits of a decoction, where the plant’s oils and compounds are fully released into the water.
The Fix: Use the right method for the right herb.
Infusions: Best for delicate leaves & flowers (like chamomile or lemon balm).
Decoctions: Best for roots & barks (like burdock or cinnamon).
Tinctures: Great for alcohol-soluble herbs (like valerian & echinacea).
Powders & Capsules: Good for herbs that work well when consumed whole (like turmeric & spirulina).
If you’re not extracting herbs the right way, you’re leaving medicine on the table.
3. Not Adjusting Dosage for the Person
Here’s the thing—a 200-pound man and a 120-pound woman should NOT be taking the same herbal dosage. Neither should a child or an elderly person.
But most people use the same one-size-fits-all dosing for everyone and then wonder why the results are inconsistent.
Example:
A child’s dose of an herbal remedy is going to be significantly lower than an adult’s.
Someone with poor digestion may need a higher or different form of an herb to actually absorb it.
A pregnant woman needs specific adjustments to avoid overstimulation or herb-drug interactions.
The Fix: Adjust herbal dosing based on weight, constitution, and condition.
Clark’s Rule & Young’s Rule: Standard methods to calculate children’s dosing.
Titration Method: Adjusting dosage based on response (start low, work up to effectiveness).
Herbal Strength vs. Severity of Condition: Mild symptoms may need small, consistent doses, while deep-seated illness might require larger, sustained dosing over time.
One size doesn’t fit all—real herbalism is personalized.
4. Thinking “More is Always Better” (It’s Not)
On the flip side, some people are taking way too much, too fast.
Example:
High doses of licorice root every day? Say hello to high blood pressure.
Mega-dosing black cohosh? Now you’ve got liver toxicity concerns.
Pounding essential oils internally? Don’t get me started.
The Fix: Respect the plant’s potency.
Some herbs need careful dosing due to toxicity risks (like goldenseal or comfrey).
Some herbs require cycling off (like adaptogens such as ashwagandha & rhodiola).
Some herbs interact with medications, making proper dosage even more important.
Herbs are powerful. Respect the dose.
If You’re Learning Herbalism, Learn Dosage FIRST.
If you’ve been treating herbs like a casual tea break instead of real medicine, it’s time to fix that. Because at the end of the day, herbs only work if you take them in the right amount, the right way, for the right person.
That’s why I wrote Herbal Holistic Healing: African Herbalism for Modern Times—so professionals and serious herbalists can stop guessing and start practicing herbalism the right way.
📖 Inside, you’ll learn:
✅ How to dose herbs properly based on condition & person
✅ How to extract herbs the RIGHT way (no more wasted medicine)
✅ How to safely combine herbs with medications
✅ How to build real, effective herbal protocols
If you’re ready to stop guessing and start using herbs at a clinical level, this book is your next step.
Grab your copy today.
Herbal Holistic Healing: African Herbalism for Modern Times Textbook
Buy Now
No more weak teas. No more random dosages.
Time to use herbs with precision and power.
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