se herbs while they are effective, then stop or change them as needed. In general, herbs are not meant to be taken daily, like vitamins. They should be changed with varations in symptoms, lifestyle, stress levels, or seasons.

You should always take herbal remedies in cycles, or "rounds." Such as, take the herb (or herbal combination) for two weeks, then abstain for a week, then resume for two weeks, and then abstain for a week. Or, take for two months and then take four months off.

This is because the body adjusts to the herbs, adapts to the herbs, and then develops tolerance or resistance, and the herbs lose their beneficial effect. Most herbs lose all effectiveness when taken over a period of eight to nine months.

For this reason, most herbal remedies traditionally were prescribed in rounds — take it for three weeks. Or take it for two months. Then take a certain amount of time off. Then repeat, if needed. And, traditionally, an experienced healer — a naturopath or herbalist or curandero of some sort, would recommend which herbs to take and would monitor your progress and adjust your herbal intake as needed, swapping new herbs in and old herbs out for optimal, continued healing and restoration.

The general purpose of taking the herb was to restore the body to a state of natural balance (or “homeostasis” or “equilibrium” — to use natural healing terminology). And once that balance is restored, the herb is no longer needed. The body is functioning well again on its own — as it was built to do.

Generally, in natural health theory, herbs are used to gently help the body regain its strength in its weakened areas. And that is done in limited rounds.

Although blood and energy tonics and herbs that build immune strength can be taken as long-term remedies for chronic weakness, acute maladies should be treated according to their symptoms. Always monitor your tongue changes while using herbs.

Also monitor digestion. Do you experience pain, diarrhea, or constipation? Add appropriate digestive herbs as needed.

Observe the urine and stools for changes. You can observe specific imbalances by noting color and consistency.

Women should monitor their menstrual periods. Are they on time? Painful? With PMS or exhaustions?

Complaints may vary according to season as well as internal changes. Thus, herbal formulas must be updated regularly according to individual needs.

It is better for beginners not to combine too many remedies at once. Mixing herbs without knowing how they affect each other confuses the body. You may experience temporary dizziness or digestive discomfort. This is a warning to reduce or simplify the remedy. Luckily, there are many time-tested combinations of herbs that are easy to use.