Preparation of Medicines

1. Medicines should be prepared in accordance with the formula given for each prescription.
2. Where drugs are to be powdered, they should be powdered finely and sieved through a muslin cloth or a seive of 100 mesh, unless it is stated that coarse powder should be used.
3. Where drugs are to be added to water and boiled, the vessel should be covered with a lid. As soon as boiling has started, the vessel should be removed from fire, kept for 5 minutes and then seived and taken lukewarm.
4. Where it is stated that decoction should be reduced to half, the vessel should be kept covered with a lid on medium fire, till approximately half the water is remained by boiling.
5. Sugar, wherever mentioned to be added to powder of other drugs, should be first powdered before mixing. If Misri (sugar candy) is available, it may be used in place of sugar. In such cases, Misri should also be powdered.
6. In case of some medicines, the drugs are to be soaked overnight. If a medicine of this category is to be prepared urgently in emergency condition, the drugs may be soaked in water for 3-4 hours in summer and 5-6 hours in winter before use.
7. Medicines which are to be preserved and used for more than one day, e.g., 7 days, 10 days, 12 days may also be prepared in reduced or increased quantities. In such cases, care must be taken to maintain the ratio of each drug in the formula.
8. Where drugs are required to be taken in equal parts, the intention is that each drug should be equal to the other in weight or volume. The quantity to be taken should be decided in the light of the dose mentioned for one day and for the number of days the medicine is to be prepared at one time.

Storage

1. Decoction which is to be prepared is for a single dose, should be freshly prepared every time and not stored. In other words, decoction should not be prepared in the morning and taken at night or prepared at night and taken in the morning.
2. Medicine should generally not be exposed to direct rays of the sun or heat.
3. Containers should be cleaned first, dried thoroughly in the sun and then the medicines should be stored. The container should never be kept open.
4. Where it is stated to preserve medicines for more than one day, they should be kept in clean well-stoppered glass bottles.
5. Medicines meant for external use should be labelled as such and kept in a place where medicines for oral use are not kept.

Dosage and Administration

1. Medicines are generally prescribed to be taken twice daily. In such cases, the morning dose should be taken after light breakfast and evening dose between 4 to 6 p.m.
2. Medicines to be taken in the morning should be taken on empty stomach immediately after morning ablutions.
3. Medicines to be taken after meals should be taken about 5-15 minutes after principal meals.
4. Medicines to be taken at bedtime should be taken two hours after the last meal.
5. The quantity given for decoctions is for single dose.
6. The doses mentioned in this book are for adults.

Vehicles with Medicines

1. Vehicles, such as water, sodawater, milk, lassi or tea have been mentioned for some medicines. In such cases, the quantity of the vehicle is usually one cup unless otherwise stated.
2. Where no vehicles are mentioned, the medicines should be taken with fresh water, and in winter with lukewarm water.