A: 1. Stove top method: Cook the herbs in a stainless steel or earthenware pot. Traditional cooking pots are available at the Beijing Trading Co. for $10 (89 E.Pender St.)
Sterilized cooking jars are best for storing herbs between dosages.
1) To cook three days of herbs at once, place three day-packets of herbs into a pot and cover with water. Let soak for at least one hour before cooking (can soak overnight if you wish)
2) Bring pot to boil, cover, and let simmer on low boil for 15 minutes.
3) Strain and set the tea aside.
4) Pour water over the same herbs again. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes this time.
4a) Occasionally, due to their high content of volatile oils, one or more of the prescribed herbs must be added 5 minutes to the end of cooking time. These herbs will be found within the main package of daily herbs, but in a separate, smaller bag.
5) Strain and mix the two teas together.
6) Divide into 3 equal jars, place lids on the jars right away to preserve freshness, and store in the fridge when cooled down.
7) Drink one jar of tea per day. Drink half in the morning and half in the evening, preferably before meals. Tea may be consumed at room temperature, cold, or hot.
8) Enjoy!
     *Paediatric dosage = ¼ jar AM and ¼ jar PM, repeat.
     *If the medicine upsets your digestion, please consider taking after meals or in smaller quantities throughout the day.
2.      *NEW     * Automatic Cooking Pot method: You may purchase the pot at Beijing Trading Company. They have two sizes for sale, the smaller size is sufficient. The cost is approximately $65.
1) Place contents of one day-packet of herbs into the cooking pot.
2) Add 1 liter of water. (You may again choose to soak herbs in the pot overnight.)
3) Plug pot into wall outlet. Ensure that switch is set to top position ('Thin Cook') and red light is on. Pot will cook herbs for approximately 70 minutes and will beep repetitively to let you know when it is finished.
4)Unplug pot and pour liquid contents into a cup or jar. Sediments need not be consumed; you may pour cooked liquid through a sieve to remove sediment before drinking.
5) Discard cooked herbs.
6) Clean pot after each use. Be careful not to get water in the plug outlet.
     *You may also choose to cook the herbs outside to avoid the accumulation of 'herb' smell in your home. Place the pot in a dry spot on your porch or patio which may be reached using a three-pronged extension cord if pot's cord fails to reach an outlet.

A: Though it is best to follow the dosage instructions carefully, there is no need to panic if you miss a day. If you do miss a dose, do not try to 'catch up' by taking double the next day. Continue taking the herbs as if you haven't missed a day and get back on track as quickly as you can.

A: Chinese Herbs come in a variety of forms. Follow the suggested dosage for pills and powdered formulas.
For custom formulas:
1) Mix all the herb packets for one day into a container and mix with hot water 2) Separate this mixture into 2 parts
3) Consume half in the morning and half in the afternoon/evening.
     *Pediatric formulas: One bag of herbs will usually be enough for 2 full days, the mixture should be divided into 2 parts, 1/2 taken the first day and 1/2 the second in 3-8 small doses.

A: NO! We absolutely do not! Besides being illegal, this practice is immoral and unnecessary.

A: Yes. Our clinic only uses high quality Chinese Herbs from suppliers with the most stringent testing and quality control. Further studies have shown that pesticides and heavy metals are heat soluble and are eliminated in the cooking process of the raw herbs.