Preparation Instructions
Go to Admin > Settings > Formula Settings > Configure a Formula Builder > Preparation Instructions
Table of Contents
What are Preparation Instructions?
Preparation instructions in herbal medicine formulas refer to the specific steps and methods used to prepare herbs for use—most often to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and optimal extraction of medicinal compounds. These instructions guide how the herbs should be processed before consumption, such as:
Form of Preparation: Whether the herbs should be decocted (boiled in water), infused (steeped in hot water like tea), powdered, taken as pills, or applied externally.
Cooking Time: Some herbs need to be boiled for a long time (e.g., roots or minerals), while others (like aromatic herbs) are added only during the last few minutes of cooking.
Special Treatment: Certain herbs require pre-processing, such as frying, roasting, or soaking in wine or vinegar to reduce toxicity or enhance effects.
Order of Addition: Some formulas specify adding ingredients in a particular order (e.g., cook first, add last, or cook separately).
Dosage and Frequency: Preparation instructions may also include how much to take and how often (e.g., one cup twice daily).
These instructions are essential to achieving the desired therapeutic effect and are usually tailored by a trained herbalist based on the patient’s condition.
What is a Preparation Instruction Template?
A preparation instruction template is a standardized format or outline used to write clear, consistent directions for preparing herbal medicine formulas. Instead of writing the preparation instructions from scratch each time, you can create a template and then the user can select the template and make any necessary modifications to the template.
How it saves time:
Consistency: You don’t have to rewrite the same instructions every time—just fill in the specific details.
Efficiency: Speeds up your workflow when creating multiple formulas or patient handouts.
Clarity: Reduces the chance of forgetting important steps or making errors in the preparation process.
Professionalism: Provides patients with a clear, organized guide they can easily follow, improving compliance and outcomes.
In short, a preparation instruction template streamlines communication, ensures accuracy, and frees up time for more important clinical tasks.
What is a Variable?
A variable is a piece of information in the preparation template that may be different each time. In terms of preparation instructions this could be cooking time, amount of water or soaking time. When you create a template, instructions may require the end user to cook the herbs one time for 45 minutes, and another for 60 minutes. You may want the user to soak the ingredient for 30 minutes or 60 minutes. By inserting variables, you can easily enter specific data into your preparation template each time you use it.
Create a Template
Click on “Add New”
- Enter a Template Name
- Enter the Template Data or Instructions
- Insert your variable (optional)
Practitioner Templates
Templates created in the Admin section will be accessible to all users within your dispensary.
Practitioners can also create their own custom templates and variables by opening the formula settings within the specific formula builder.