Consistency Is Key: Tips for taking your herbs every day.
A lot of the benefits of using herbal medicine come from consistency. Taking herbal medicines on a regular basis, for a period of time will let you know whether you have chosen the right herbs for your body and for your health condition.
In some instances, short-term use of herbs is actually recommended, e.g. for acute illness, colds, flus, pain/injuries etc.
Creating a routine for taking your herbs, whether that is tea, herbal extracts, powder, salves, oils, etc. is essential for helping the herbs to work their magic.
Tips for creating a routine with your herbal liquids
Put your herbs next to a water source (e.g. filter, tap, bottle of water)
Put your herbs somewhere you visit regularly, especially somewhere you visit at the time you need to take them. For example, if you need to take them in the morning, you can put them in your kitchen near the sink, kettle, coffee machine or other supplements. For herbs at night, you may put them next to your toothbrush!
Get through the first week, then the habit becomes easier.
If you leave your house most days, take some herbs with you as a backup if you forget to take them in the morning (e.g. split up the bottle into numerous bottles)
Tips for creating a routine with herbal tea
Create your daily dose of tea (usually 2-3 cups) in one batch then drink throughout the day. You can do this by steeping the herbs in boiling water, then straining your tea and transferring it to a thermos if you prefer it hot, or transferring it to another jar and putting it in the fridge if you prefer it cold.
Look into a French press (can usually fit 2 cups of tea) or an airport (can fit lots - and stays at boiling temperature all day).
Get a fun insulated thermos or travel mug for your tea if you want to drink it hot throughout the day
Set alarms if you need to!
Have your herbal tea close to your kettle and somewhere you see and pass by regularly throughout the day as a reminder.
Still not getting results?
If you are still not seeing the desired results from your chosen herb or herbal blend, here are some things to consider:
The dosage may not be right for you. It may need to be higher or in some cases even lower. Revisiting the recommended dosage, experimenting with different dosages or getting in contact with your practitioner is the best move here.
You may have the wrong herbs. The herbs might be the right ones on paper, but the energetics of the herbs may disagree with your body or may not be the most aligned herb for you to take.
The quality of the herbs may not be the best, they may be old herbs that have lost their potency (if you are using teas) or the preparation may not be as potent or have been contaminated (especially if you are using homemade medicines)
Hi, I’m Meg, a naturopathic herbalist helping people reconnect with their health through the power of plant medicine. I offer personalised herbal consultations Australia-wide, combining traditional wisdom with modern naturopathic principles to create tailored herbal support for your unique needs.
The information provided on this website is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please see my full disclaimer here.
