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A granule bottle should tell you which product you have and where its directions are. Colour alone cannot identify a formula, so check anything unexpected with Christine first.

Convenience with a few checks attached

Many people find a bottle of concentrated granules far easier to fit into a busy week than preparing herbs from scratch. That convenience is genuine, but every bottle still needs a clear product name and written directions. Colour or appearance on its own will not reveal which formula is inside or how it should be used.

Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, supplies Chinese herbal medicine in granule containers at the Lane Cove clinic. You are welcome to ask as many practical questions as you need before taking the first dose.

Questions about your bottle

• Which product is this, and where is its name shown on the label?
• How is each dose measured and prepared?
• Should the bottle go in the pantry, a cupboard or somewhere cooler?
• What does the use-by date mean once the bottle has been opened?

When something seems off

A cracked or loose lid, granules that have clumped or changed colour, an unexpected smell or contents that look different from the previous bottle are all reasons to stop and check with Christine before using it. Appearance is not a reliable guide to what a product is or whether it is still suitable. When in doubt, set the bottle aside and ask.

Keeping records together

Keep the bottle with its written directions, the product name and the date you expect to review the plan. Let Christine know if a doctor or pharmacist changes any of your medicines. If you notice a symptom and wonder whether it relates to the granules, seek her advice instead of skipping doses or doubling up.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have surgery coming up, mention this too, as it may change what is suitable.

Fitting the routine into daily life

Some people find it easier to keep a bottle at work as well as at home. If that would suit you, mention it at your next Lane Cove appointment so storage and transport can be discussed, and ask Christine to add any handling notes to your written instructions so the routine stays simple wherever you are.