竹叶石膏汤

3. Tongue and pulse

• Tongue: Red and dry tongue body, with scanty or peeled coating.
• Pulse: Vacuous and rapid, or fine and rapid.

4. Granule conversion and dose

Calculation of the total raw herb weight of the original formula:

Raw Shi Gao (gypsum) 30 g + Zhu Ye (bamboo leaf) 6 g + Mai Dong (ophiopogon tuber) 18 g + Ren Shen (ginseng) 6 g + Ban Xia (pinellia rhizome) 9 g + Jing Mi (polished rice) 15 g + Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice root) 6 g = 90 g.

Converted to 5:1 granules:

90 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 18.0 g granules.

Granule dosing: Dissolve in warm water and take in 2-3 doses, morning and evening.

• Twice daily, about 9.0 g per dose.
• Three times daily, about 6.0 g per dose.

(The original formula uses polished rice to nourish the stomach. When taking the dissolved granules, it is advisable to take the dose after meals to protect stomach qi.)

5. Cautions and clinical notes

[Contraindications]:

1. This formula is sweet, cold, and somewhat cloying in nature; it is contraindicated in cases of Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold presenting with cold pain in the epigastrium and abdomen and loose stools.
2. It should not be used in the early stage of febrile disease when exterior symptoms have not yet resolved, or when interior heat is intense but the righteous qi is not yet deficient, to avoid trapping the pathogen or "shutting the door to keep the thief in."

[Safety warnings]:

1. Ban Xia in the formula is toxic; ProCare Herbs granules must be prepared using processed Ban Xia (such as Fa Ban Xia or Jiang Ban Xia) to ensure safety of use.
2. This formula is a regulating prescription and should be used under the pattern-differentiation guidance of a TCM practitioner.

Modern applications: Mainly used for the convalescent stage of various infectious diseases, heatstroke, summerheat fever, diabetic thirst, stubborn vomiting (such as vomiting during pregnancy), the later stage of pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic pharyngitis, and oral ulcers, where the pattern is one of unresolved residual heat with combined damage to qi and fluids.

Duration of use: This formula clears heat while supplementing; it may be taken for a certain duration according to the condition to promote recovery. Once heat is cleared, fluids restored, and qi replenished, the formula may be discontinued, or a milder regulating formula may be used instead.