Centaury is generally taken prior to a meal. A tea is made by adding 1 to 2 teaspoons of the herb to one cup of hot water and allowing it to steep for 15 minutes.⁷ The tea should be sipped slowly. The bitter taste can be covered up by adding ginger tea. Alternately, capsules can be used in the amount of 1 to 2 grams three times per day before a meal.⁸