Ok...another brainstorm. This is hopefully a tip to help us better absorb our pills and capsules. A method used in the medical world, is to crush pills with a mortar, for patients to take, and mix with a soft bland food (applesauce; pudding, etc) This is done for patients who have trouble swallowing; can't swallow big pills; etc. This ensures the maximum absorption of the pills and capsules. (remove the contents from the capsules) Also, when pills are crushed and ground, and when capsule contents are removed from their casing, they are better assimilated in the body. Applesauce proves to mix the best, and helps to disguise any unpleasant tastes.
I'm not sure if this is the same for herbs, as they'e not as strong as medications, but in many cases in health care, it is not advised to crush or spit pills, as they can often case stomach irritations through the larger surface areas, and thus quicker breakdown. Also some tablets come coated, to further make the absorbsion gradual and so by crushing or spliting, can cause irritations.
As I said I dont think this would particularly apply to herbs, but just in case...
It's just a thought on possible better absorption. Herbs technically are considered a food and are advised to be taked on an empty stomach, as they each have their own individual plant enzymes that assist in assimilation. But for those who can't take them on an empty stomach, or just choose to for convenience, it's just a tip for possibly getting more of the herbs into your system. Only 10-20% of ingested herbs, etc are actually fully absorbed, due to the harshness of the digestive system, starting with the stomach, which churns out acid to break down food. The majority of the pills being taken for nbe shouldn't cause any irritation, but that is why the ground mixture would be mixed with a small amount of bland food, to buffer any irritation, and to cause a quick transit through the stomach.
