With these herbs, you simply add the appropriate amount to hot water, stir, and drink. Some herbs that are especially expensive are powdered to make more efficient use of their properties with the minimum cost. Generally, as a rule, it is best to take your herb tea one hour before eating, on an empty stomach. This provides the best absorption of the ingredients of the herbs. If the herbs cause a little stomach upset, drink the herb tea one hour after eating, or d rink some fresh ginger juice before taking the formula, or eat some fresh ginger before the formula.
Fresh ginger is the sweet little slices of root often served with sushi.
Tonification formulas are best taken on an empty stomach. Formulas treating ailments above the diaphragm are best taken one hour after eating. The food in the stomach provides the energetics of the herbs a platform from which to rise up to the upper part of the body. Formulas for heat syndromes can be taken at room temperature or chilled. If drinking an herb tea at room temperature tastes bad, it should be consumed warm.