How to Make Pills and Capsules

Capsules are very easy to make. You put the ground (powdered) herbs into soluble gelatin or vegetarian capsules which range in size from "000" (largest) to "5" (smallest). My family uses "00" for adults and "0" for children. "00" is roughly average to 500-600 mg depending on how well the capsule is packed. "0" is roughly 350-450 mg, again depending on how well the capsule is packed. There are capsule making machines (Cap M Quick is one brand) that make this very easy and quicker. You can find a machine with a tamper accessory for under $20 through herbal suppliers. Bottle and Label!

Pills are a little more complicated, but more fun and rewarding to make. You can make the pills to any size you like which makes it easy for children to swallow. You can add Stevia as a sweetner to help with flavor of bitter tasting herbs. Use powdered herbs and add about 20% Slippery Elm powder. This may be adjusted depending on preference and herbs used. Add a small amount of water to keep mix firm, but workable. You do not want this too sticky, but more like a "dry" dough in consistency. Let it sit a few minutes for the mucilageous propery of the Slippery Elm to take effect. Roll mixture with fingers to make pills at desired size, place on cookie sheet and dry them out. You can do this in a preheated 200-250 oven that you turn off once you place the pills inside. Check every 10 minutes or so. When they are dry and hard, bottle them. Label!

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