herbal powders as 'emulsions'

[Guest guest]

Dear HerbalistsI have found it difficult with many patients to get them to take powdered herbs such as Ashwaganda and Shatavari as teaspoons of powder in water or milk. There seems to be a taste and texture issue for them. I have been experimenting recently with mixtures of powdered herb, glycerine, honey and syrup simplex to form a powder ‘emulsion’, which so far seems to be a little more acceptable. I wonder if anyone else has made these sort of preparations and if they have any tips or have found any pitfalls?Thank you also to those who gave advice about my thyroid cancer / thoracic duct patient – she is due a follow-up next week and I will keep you postedThanks and best wishesCraig

[Guest guest]

Hello Craig, From time to time this crops up, I use Chinese concentrated extract powders 5:1 which can be quite a shock! e.g. Long Dan Cao.If patients mention this I usually explain that after 5 days tastebuds adjust and it should seem more palatable. They can alternate mouthfuls of herb with juice but not mix together as it interferes with action. This helps most.However the ultimate solution which a number of clients opt for is I offer capsulation. Slips down fine with a large glass of water. Never had any complaints after that! You may have to adjust dose...LorraineLorraine Hodgkinson MRCHMHERBS AND HELPERS6, Butts Fold, Cockermouth,Cumbria, CA13 9HY. UK.Tel: +44 (0) 1900 826392Mobile: 07761 489838 (O2)www.herbalmedicineuk.comOn 22 Mar 2012, at 12:38, Dr Craig wrote:

Dear HerbalistsI have found it difficult with many patients to get them to take powdered herbs such as Ashwaganda and Shatavari as teaspoons of powder in water or milk. There seems to be a taste and texture issue for them. I have been experimenting recently with mixtures of powdered herb, glycerine, honey and syrup simplex to form a powder ‘emulsion’, which so far seems to be a little more acceptable. I wonder if anyone else has made these sort of preparations and if they have any tips or have found any pitfalls?Thank you also to those who gave advice about my thyroid cancer / thoracic duct patient – she is due a follow-up next week and I will keep you postedThanks and best wishesCraig