How should this herb be brewed, and in what form is it taken? — Rhodiola quadrifida (Asian golden root), 50 g – Lekraset

Since this is whole plant material rather than a ready-made extract, it is brewed like a herbal tea or infusion. According to the preparation method on the pack, 1 teaspoon (2 g) of crushed root is covered with a glass (200 ml) of boiling water, left to infuse for 15 minutes and strained. The taste and aroma of the infusion come from the essential oils and organic acids it contains.

The exact dosage on the packaging or in the manufacturer's instructions is your main guide: stick to it rather than to general recommendations from the internet, as the concentration of active substances depends on the specific batch of raw material. Adults take 1/2 glass (100 ml) of the infusion 2 times a day with meals for a course of 2–3 weeks; the prepared drink is kept in the fridge for no more than 2 days.

The infusion is usually drunk in the first half of the day: plants with a tonic character are traditionally not recommended in the evening so as not to affect sleep quality. This is a general rule of folk herbal medicine, not a medical prescription.

The raw material should be stored in a dry place away from direct light and moisture — in a closed pack or a glass jar with a lid. Moisture is the main enemy of plant material: it encourages mould and impairs the quality of the product.

If you are prone to allergies to plants of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae), to which rhodiola belongs, start with the smallest amount and watch how your body reacts.