Always pay attention to the recommended dosage. Higher than recommended doses could produce adverse or paradoxical effects. Because of their nutritive and supporting nature, many herbs may take a few days to a few weeks for the desired effect to be achieved. When tonifying herbs are used for chronic conditions, it is better to take them in small doses over an extended period of time. As a general rule, dosage should be related to body weight.
Large people require larger doses than small people.
There are no absolute guidelines for administering herbal medicines for children, but there are some recommendations and rules. Note that some herbs such as comfrey root, poke, may-apple, and Ma Huang, should not be used with young children. There are at least three different methods for determining children s dosage. This gives the approximate fraction of the adult dose. For example, a seven year child will be eight on his or her next birthday.