B efore we start using herbal remedies, though, it's wise to do our homework. Ask questions, consult a qualified practitioner, and deal only with reputable suppliers and merchants. Just as we wouldn't walk into a pharmaceutical warehouse and sample bottles, neither should we randomly consume herbal remedies. Plants can be poisonous as well as beneficial. The same plant can even be both, depending on the dosage.
Herbs are available in a variety of forms.
If you are purchasing them dried, the most economical way, buy them as fresh as possible. If making a tea, use one teaspoon per cup of hot water and steep for ten minutes. You can also find many herb preparations as capsules or tablets, which are often more palatable than their powdered versions. And watch for expiration dates on packaged products. Remember, however, that essential oils are very potent and with the exception of lavender oil, should never be applied undiluted to the skin.