木瓜丸

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Mu Gua (chaenomeles fruit) 15 g + Niu Xi (achyranthes root) 15 g + Tu Si Zi (dodder seed) 15 g + Qiang Huo (notopterygium rhizome) 15 g + Du Huo (angelica pubescens root) 15 g + Fu Zi (prepared aconite root) 10 g + Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) 10 g + Chuan Xiong (Sichuan lovage rhizome) 10 g = 105 g.

Conversion to 5:1 granules:

105 g crude herb ÷ 5 = 21.0 g granules.

Granule dose: Take in 2 doses daily, morning and evening, dissolved in warm water, about 10.5 g per dose.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

[Contraindications]:

1. Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy, because Niu Xi, Fu Zi, and Chuan Xiong in the formula all have blood-moving, strongly purgative, or toxic properties.
2. Contraindicated in damp-heat painful obstruction (marked by red, swollen, hot, and painful joints).
3. Use with caution in cases of yin deficiency with effulgent fire.

[Safety warnings]:

1. The Fu Zi in the formula is toxic and must be processed before use. In the preparation of ProCare Herbs granules, strictly processed prepared Fu Zi must be used to substantially reduce its toxicity and ensure safe use.
2. The nature of this formula is warming and drying; it should be used under the pattern-differentiation guidance of a TCM practitioner and should not be used indiscriminately on one's own.

Modern applications: Mainly used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, lumbar disc herniation, sciatica, and bone hyperplasia, where the pattern is Liver-Kidney insufficiency with wind-cold-damp painful obstruction. It is particularly suited to chronic lower-back and leg pain in middle-aged and elderly patients.

Duration of use: This formula is mainly used for chronic conditions and must be taken for a certain course before effects become apparent. It may be taken long-term as directed by a physician, with modifications according to the pattern. Once symptoms improve, the dose may be reduced for maintenance or discontinued.