General dosage guidelines for 10 common preparation forms. Individual herbs may have specific dosing — always check the herb profile for details.
Best for: Leaves, Flowers
1-2 tsp dried herb per 8 oz water
1-3 cups daily
Steep 10-15 minutes covered. Use freshly boiled water.
Best for: Roots, Bark, Seeds
1 tbsp dried root per 12 oz water
1-3 cups daily
Simmer 20-40 minutes. Strain well. Best for tough, woody material.
Best for: Any herb part
30-60 drops (1-2 dropperfuls)
2-3 times daily
Take in a small amount of water. Standard folk ratio is 1:5 (herb to menstruum). Alcohol or glycerin base.
Best for: Powdered herb
500-1000mg per capsule
1-3 capsules, 2-3x daily
Size 00 capsule holds ~500-700mg. Take with food for better absorption.
Best for: Ground herb
1/4 - 1 tsp
1-2 times daily
Mix into warm liquid, smoothie, or food. Add fat for fat-soluble herbs (turmeric, ashwagandha).
Best for: Decoction + honey
Adults: 1 tbsp / Children: 1 tsp
3-4 times daily
Refrigerate after making. No honey for children under 1 year. Keeps 2-3 months.
Best for: Infused oil + beeswax
Apply thin layer to affected area
As needed, up to 3x daily
For external use only. Patch test 24 hours before first use. Store in cool, dark place.
Best for: Distilled volatile oils
2-3 drops in 1 tsp carrier oil
Topical: 2-3x daily / Diffuse: 30-60 min
NEVER ingest without professional guidance. Always dilute for skin. See our EO Dilution Guide.
Best for: Fresh or dried herb paste
1/4 inch thick on cloth
20-30 min, repeat as needed
For external use only. Make fresh each time. Cover with warm damp cloth.
Best for: Strong tea or essential oils
1-2 quarts strong tea OR 5-8 drops EO
As needed
Soak 20-30 minutes. Add EO to carrier oil or bath salts first — never directly to water.
Keep these principles in mind whenever preparing or taking herbal remedies.
Begin with the lowest suggested dose and increase gradually over several days.
These are general guidelines — individual herbs have specific dosing requirements. Always check the herb's detail page.
Children, pregnant/nursing women, and elderly may need significantly adjusted doses. Consult a practitioner.
Pay attention to how your body responds. Stop use and seek medical attention if adverse reactions occur.
Many herbs interact with medications. Use our Medication Checker before combining herbs with prescriptions.
Use high-quality, properly identified herbs from reputable sources. Organic when possible.
1 dropperful
~30 drops / ~1 ml
1 teaspoon
5 ml / ~60 drops
1 tablespoon
15 ml / 3 tsp
1 cup
8 fl oz / 240 ml
1 oz dried herb
~28 grams
Size 00 capsule
~500-700 mg
Size 0 capsule
~400-500 mg
1 handful
~1 oz / 28g loosely packed
Our Herbal Support Finder matches you with herbs based on your needs, complete with specific dosing for each preparation form.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Herbal products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting any herbal regimen.
