We went over this when I was doing teas. It is pretty straight forward and we have a handout that explains tea parts (I believe it is up on the student portal now). 1/6 = 2 parts, 1/9 = 1 part, 1/18 =1/2 part, etc. In a simple formula I rarely use more than 7 herbs, but that is my preference not a hard and fast rule.
Probably 3-4 years for Yi Yi Ren,
I have never bothered to vacuum seal, but it might. I use clear glass tightly sealed jars, kept in a dry, dark, cool place (hard to do in a house).