Making your own Herbal Capsules

A quick & simple guide on how to make your own herbal capsules!

Botanical medicine can be used to relieve symptoms, treat illness, and promote health.  Seriously, everything from the common cold to heart burn and stress from over work – herbs have got your back!  Another great thing about herbs is that there are few to no adverse effects. In fact, the “side effects” are most often good things.  Take turmeric for example, it can be used in high doses to treat and relieve symptoms of inflammatory conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease but studies show this herb also improves cholesterol levels and even helps to fight cancer!

Unfortunately buying good quality herbal supplements can get expensive but there’s a way around that and it’s easy to do.  Make your own herbal capsules!

Below is a quick guide to get you started on making your own herbal capsules.  Once you’ve got these basics down, your encapsulated herbal remedies can range anywhere from a heart tonic to an immune booster depending on what herbs you choose.

Let the herbal healing begin!

What you’ll need:

• Powdered herbs of your choice (opt for organic herbs and check the date – the quality and freshness of herbs really effects their efficacy)
• Size 00 gelatin or veggie capsules (this size capsule holds about 600mg of powder)
• Capsule maker (We use the Cap M Quik)

Choosing your herbs:

• Your choice of herb will vary depending on what action your looking for.  Investing in a herbal remedy book can help guide you.  Rosemary Gladstar is a wonderful herbalist that has a number of books that are great for anyone interested in herbal medicine –  whether your a beginner or a seasoned herb forager.
• The capsules pictured above contain turmeric, devil’s claw, and black pepper.  These were made to relieve arthritic pain and inflammation.  Turmeric and devil’s claw are well known anti-inflammatory herbs that decrease joint pain while black pepper improves their absorption.  Using herbal books and/or working with a naturopath can help you discover herbal blends that are right for you.
• Take note: This information does not substitute medical care.  Although herbs are generally much more gentle and safe than pharmaceuticals, adverse effects, contraindications, and interactions with medications do exist.  If you have pre-existing conditions or are taking medications, it is important to consult with your health care professional before using herbs.

How it works

The capsule maker comes with five pieces – a lower tray, capsule holder, tamper tool, and two spacers to keep the upper tray elevated while capsules are being filled.

1. Assemble
   • Place Cap-M-Quik® capsule holder onto a large piece of paper.  Place spacers on the end posts facing the centre. Set the holder on the four corner posts resting on spacers above base.
2. Load
   • Manually separate empty capsules and place the longer half into the holes of the capsule holder while setting the top halves aside. The top lip of the inserted empty capsule should be below the surface of holder so that herbs can be swept in.
3. Fill
   • Pour powdered herbs or vitamins onto the holder, spreading substance evenly with card and completely filling all capsules.
4. Tamp
   • The accessory Tamping Tool (Tamper) can be used at this point to simultaneously pack down the contents of the caps. Place the tamper tool into the tops of the filled capsules and gently press down to pack the powders.  As a result there will be additional space made so you can refill and repeat the process until capsules are sufficiently filled.
5. Cap
   • Turn the end spacers 90 degrees. The holder will fall down, exposing the upper half of filled caps. Manually replace the top cap, and remove your now-filled and finished capsules!

For a more detailed video click the here.