The Technique and Art of Dosage Quantity

Dosage Specifications

Tablets or pill forms of herbal distributions are typically used for chronic medical problems. Water decoctions, which utilize higher dosages, are more commonly applied for acute disorders. Tonic and adjusting formulas are more often in pill, powder or "wine" form. For physical problems, the standard dosage for Chinese herbs in powder form is, very roughly, two grams of crushed, crude herbal formula at any one administration. Classical texts typically put the dosage in terms of thirty firmiana seed-size pills, prepared in honey. Dosage is limited primarily by digestive irritation. The herbal dietary supplement is usually taken two or three times daily. Because of Kan Herbal's preparation, the smallest potent dosage is much lower than what is usually specified for Chinese herbal tablets or pills. At the same time, the maximum possible dosage is much higher.

In either form, the recommended procedure for most conditions is that the daily dosage be divided into 2 or 3 portions over the day. Variations in each customer's unique constitution and presentation of symptoms will determine the exact dosage. Applying the "standard" dosage mechanically arrives at the following:

		Daily Dosage Range
										Tablets				Extract drops*
		Physical (Standard)								2-6				16-48
		Psychological				[2/3]				1-4				8-32
		Spiritual				[1/3]				1-2				8-16
		Constitutional				[1/2]				1-3				8-24
		Severe physical								4-16				32-108
		*Note: A one ounce (30cc) bottle of extract contains approximately 1,000 drops

The question of dosage is too often simplified to a matter of arithmetic. Dosage is one of the crucial refinements of the healing encounter; every human being is a unique event, a non-replicable phenomenon. Dosage in the clinical situation ultimately needs to reflect this and any suggested dosage can only be an approximation. The ability to apply dosage flexibly is part of what allows herbalism to approach the level of a healing art. There are several basic considerations, which affect quantity.

The environment and season of the year may also influence dosage; for example, Dynamic Warrior is likely to be needed in increased amounts during the winter. The social environment and likelihood of customer compliance can also change how one prescribes. A customer may need a stronger dose of Compassionate Sage at the beginning of treatment to experience immediate results, gaining the confidence to overcome attitudes and peer pressures that might influence him to not take the medication.

The most important criterion for dosage refinement is the most difficult to assess: the actual capacity for change inherent in a customer's configuration. If the situation can be changed quickly, a large dose is usually appropriate. This applies equally to the physical, mental and existential/spiritual realms. Obviously, the ability to know and sense the potential for transformation is partly a learned skill, but it ultimately embraces the art of healing. Experience here is the final teacher.

General Dosage Recommendations

It is recommended to prescribe the herbs to be taken either an hour before or a couple of hours after a meal. A customer may, in some cases, have an adverse reaction to taking herbs on an empty stomach such as vomiting, gastrointestinal distress or nausea. In such cases, herbs should be taken with a small amount of food.

Some herbalists, following an idea in The Divine Husbandman's Classic of the Materia Medica, suggest that the Dietary Supplement be taken before meals for disorders below the diaphragm, and after meals for disorders above the diaphragm.

In general, a customer that is highly sensitive to foods, herbs or drugs will usually respond well to a smaller dosage, while customers who tolerate foods, herbs and drugs in large amounts will most likely require a higher dosage. Another consideration is whether the practitioner's intention is to tonify or to harmonize. Tonification is usually a long and gentle process, requiring smaller dosage. When harmonizing, clearing heat and treating pain, larger doses may be more appropriate, particularly at the beginning of treatment.

Age is always a factor in dosage. Children between 5-10 years of age are usually given 1/2 of the adult dosage; those between 2-5 years of age a 1/3 dosage; and infants even less.

Dosage of Herbs and the Physical, Psychological and Spiritual Realms

The Chinese see the myriad manifestations of human life as permutations of Yin and Yang. Any manifestation that occurs - whether an event, activity or sensation — is understood as a matrix or configuration of these two primary forces. Configurations are usually described in the form of bodily substances, organ archetypes, primary elements or patterns of disharmony, and herbs can play an important role in re-harmonizing these patterns when there are inappropriate, insufficient or disharmonious energies.

When a problem or need manifests primarily on the physical level, the herbs push and pull, move and restrain, adjust and harmonize, in an almost automatic, mechanical fashion. Dosages for such levels should reflect this more physical process and be large enough to perform the task. In modern China, herbs are typically used in this fashion.

When the change we want to precipitate is more psychological, existential or spiritual, concerned with human transformation and inner growth, herbs no longer work in such a simple manner; they need the activating power of intention, thought, concentration and will. The Chinese speak of these primary human forces as spirit (Shen), noncorporal soul (hun), vital soul (po), directness (yi), and will (zhi). The herbs cannot accomplish much on the subtler levels if these inner forces oppose them. The herb's spirit must be touched and carried by inner forces and, when inner cooperation is established and worked with, there is power in the herbal preparations to effect spiritual change. Because the required interaction between herbs and intention is a delicate process — change cannot be forced — the dosage for working on these levels is accordingly less.

When prescribing for someone where the primary concern is change on the physical level, we suggest giving a full standard dosage. If the goal is psychological change, 2/3 of the regular daily dosage is suggested. When spiritual transformation is the aim, we recommend prescribing 1/3 the daily dosage.

By using a "constitutional" dosage, herbal energy can also be applied to the basic Yin/Yang configuration each of us is born with. This basic configuration or temperament is not really an "illness" or "problem", but rather a reflection of who we are — a reminder that each of us enters life with different gifts, potentials, and creative forces, that can be used for either counterproductive activities or growth. For example, a person with a constitutional tendency toward the element Water will have the strong potential for reflective, contemplative work, fearfulness and laziness. Earth-types can be generous and nurturing, but also easily become stagnant and burdensome. Such a constitutional approach addresses the polarity of options, and works as a basic, preventative and life-enhancing measure. It has some similarities with what homeopathic medicine calls the "constitutional remedy", and helps people deal with basic, temperamental issues that are part of their character — whether manifesting in a desirable or undesirable way. The dosage suggested for these situations is also subtle, generally 1/2 the regular dose.

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