Good question about the cloves. I'm looking forward to what Humaworm says. As for taking the inbetween herbs I just buy the spices/herbs and measure the 1/4 tsp and put each one directly on my tongue. I drink water immediately. I do this for each spice/herb. I don't combine them. Just don't swish around your mouth and aim to get it straight down. I barely taste it this way. Anyway that's me. Perhaps this method is too awful for others.