Plant Safety and Dosage

Question 1

Turmeric safety

Answer 1

Large doses of turmeric (greater than 15 g/day ) should not be taken long term by those with congestive heart failure.

Individuals with bile duct obstruction shows avoid use of turmeric.

Because turmeric has slight anti-platelet activity, stop using turmeric 2 weeks before surgery.

Question 2

Willow Bark Safety

Answer 2

Used with caution in individuals with sensitivities to salicylate drugs.

Question 3

Willow Bark Dosage

Answer 3

Decoction: 3-9 g dried bark/day divided into 3 doses.
Tincture: 4-6 mL (1:5, 30%) 3x/day

Question 4

Birch bark safety

Answer 4

No known safety concerns.

Question 5

Birch bark dosage

Answer 5

Dosage: Decoction: 2-3 g dried bark up to 3x/day
Tincture: 1-2 mL (1;5, 25%) 3x/day

Question 6

Oak bark safety

Answer 6

Caution should be taken using oak topically in cases of eczema or skin damage. Oak should not be taken by individuals experiencing constipation.

Question 7

Oak bark dosage

Answer 7

Decoction: 9g dried bark/day divided into 3 doses

Question 8

Elder Berry and Flower SAfety

Answer 8

Elder bark, leaves, roots, seeds and unripe berries are considered toxic due to the presence of cyanide producing glycosides. Fresh berries also contain cyanogrnic glycocides but are considered safe unless consumed in high quantities or by someone sensitive to the compounds in the plant.

Cooking or drying elderberries reduces the cyanigenic glycoside content.

Question 9

Elder Berry and Flower Dosage

Answer 9

Dosage: decoction: 10g dried Berry several times/day

Tincture (Berry): 4-6mL (1:2, 25%) 4-6x/day

Infusion (flower): 9-15g dried flower/day divided into 3 doses

Tincture (flower): 2-4 mL (1:5, 40%) 3x/day

Question 10

Black Walnut Safety

Answer 10

Not indicated for long term use. Juglone is considered a strong skin irritant and may cause itching or burning sensations.

Question 11

Black Walnut Dosage

Answer 11

Dose: capsule or powder: 1-2g 3x/day

Tincture: 2-3 mL (1:2, 45%) 3x/day

Question 12

White Pine bark, leaf, and pitch dosage

Answer 12

Frequent internal use or high doses can be irritating to the kidneys

Question 13

White Pine bark, leaf and pitch dosage

Answer 13

dedication: 9-15g bark/day divided into 1-3 doses.

Infusion: handful of fresh or dried needles/day divided into 1-4 doses.

Resin tincture: 10-30 drops (1:2, 95%) up to 4x/day.

Question 14

Sage Safety Info

Answer 14

use only clulinary amounts during pregnancy and lactation

Question 15

Dosage Info for sage

Answer 15

Infusion: 3-12 g dried leaf/ day divided into 1-4 doses
Tincture: 2-4 mL (1:5, 40%) 3x/day

Question 16

Black pepper dosage

Answer 16

decoction: 1-5g dried fruit/day divided into 1-3 doses

tincture: 0.5-1 mL (1:5, 70%) 2x/day

Question 17

Black pepper safety

Answer 17

High doses of black pepper are contraindicated in pregnancy, though culinary use is not harmful.

Question 18

Thyme dosage

Answer 18

infusion: 3/12 g dried herb/day divided into 1/4 doses
tincture: 2/4mL (1:, 45%) 3x/day

Question 19

Thyme safety

Answer 19

use only culinary amounts during pregnancy

Question 20

Fennel Safety

Answer 20

Hypersensitivity can occur from consuming fennel, especially in individuals who are sensitive to other pants in the Apiaceae family

Question 21

Fennel Dosage

Answer 21

Infusion/Decoction: 0.9-1.8 g dried seed/ day divided into 1-3 doses
tincture: 1-2mL (1:5, 40%) 3x/day

Question 22

Rosemary Safety

Answer 22

Use only culinary amounts during pregnancy

Question 23

Rosemary dosage

Answer 23

Infusion: 6-12 g dried herb/day divided into 1/3 doses

Tincture: 1-2 mL (1:5, 40%) 3x/day

Question 24

Cumin Safety

Answer 24

Allergic reactions to cumin are known to occur. Large doses of cumin should be avoided by individuals with kidney disease

Question 25

Cumin dosages

Answer 25

Infusion/decoction: 0.5-5 g dried seed/day divided into 1-4 doses

Tincture: 1-5 ML (1:3, 45%) 3x/day

Question 26

Orange Peel Safety

Answer 26

The fruit juice of bitter orange has been shown to interact with the drug metabolizing enzyme CYP3A4, so caution is advised when using orange peel with prescription drugs metabolized by CYP3A4.

Question 27

Orange Peel dosage

Answer 27

Infusion: 3-9 g dried peel/day divided into 1-3 doses

Tincture: 0.5 -1 ML (1:5, 70%) 3x/day

Question 28

Garlic bulb safety

Answer 28

those with gastrointestinal sensitivities or ulcers may find that garlic aggravates their condition. use only culinary amounts if on blood thinners and during pregnancy, in postpartum and during lactation. Avoid 2 weeks before and after surgical procedures.

Question 29

Garlic dosage

Answer 29

a clove of garlic can be eaten daily for general support or 1 clove of garlic can be taken 3x/day during acute infections.

Question 30

Oregano safety

Answer 30

Alleric sensitivity to oregano has been reported

Question 31

Oregno dosage

Answer 31

Infusion: 3-9 g dried parts/day divided into 2-3 doses

Tincture: 1-3 mL (1:3; 45%) 3x/day

Question 32

Ginger Rhizome safety

Answer 32

Avoid high doses when combined with anticoagulant medications

Question 33

Ginger Rhizome dosage

Answer 33

Infusion/Decoction: 0.75-3 g dried rhizome/day or 1.5-3 g fresh rhizome/day divided into 1/4 doses

Tincture: 1.5-5 mL (1:5, 40%) 3x/day

Question 34

Turmeric dosage

Answer 34

Infusion/decoction: 3-9 grams dried rhizome per day divided into 1-3 doses..

Powder 1-4 g/day

Tincture: 2-4 mL (1:5, 60%) 2-3x /day

Question 35

Green tea safety

Answer 35

Green tea contains varying amounts of caffeine so water-processed decaf tea may be a better choice for those with sensitivity.

Green tea can be very astringent, especially if prepared with a long infusion time and may not be appropriate for some with sensitive or irritated gastrointestinal conditions or an overly dry constitution.

Combining with demulcant herbs can offset this affect

Question 36

Green tea dose

Answer 36

On average up to 3 cups per day or 3 grams dried leaf