左归丸

3. Tongue and pulse

• Tongue: Red tongue body, little or no coating, thin and small tongue body.
• Pulse: Fine and rapid, or fine and weak.

4. Granule conversion and dose

Calculation of total raw herb weight in the original formula:

Shu Di Huang (prepared rehmannia root) 24 g + Shan Yao (Chinese yam) 12 g + Shan Zhu Yu (cornus fruit) 12 g + Gou Qi Zi (goji berry) 12 g + Chuan Niu Xi (cyathula root) 9 g + Tu Si Zi (dodder seed) 9 g + Gui Ban Jiao (tortoise shell glue) 12 g + Lu Jiao Jiao (deer antler glue) 12 g = 102 g.

Converted to 5:1 granules:

102 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 20.4 g granules.

Granule dose: Dissolve in warm water and take in 2 doses, morning and evening, about 10 g per dose. (The original formula was a pill; the granule form is now better absorbed.)

5. Cautions and clinical notes

[Contraindications]:

1. This formula is rich and cloying, and may burden the Stomach; it should be used with caution or avoided in those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency and poor transportation/transformation, presenting with reduced appetite and loose stool.
2. It should be avoided in unresolved exterior conditions, or in cases of pronounced interior excess heat.

[Safety warnings]:

1. This is a rich tonifying formula with a cloying nature. If, during use, epigastric and abdominal distension or reduced appetite occur, the dose should be reduced or use discontinued, and qi-regulating and Spleen-strengthening herbs such as Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel) and Sha Ren (villous amomum fruit) may be added as appropriate.
2. Gui Ban Jiao (tortoise shell glue) and Lu Jiao Jiao (deer antler glue) in this formula are animal-derived glues; ProCare Herbs granules may package these separately or process them using special methods — please follow the product instructions for use.

Modern applications: Mainly used for hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, hyperadrenocorticism, menopausal syndrome, neurasthenia, osteoporosis, infertility, aplastic anemia, tuberculosis, and other conditions where the pattern is one of true yin insufficiency with internal depletion of essence and marrow.

Duration of use: This is a regulating formula, mostly used for chronic, depleting conditions, and requires sustained use over a certain period to achieve effect. It may be taken long-term as directed by a practitioner (e.g., 1-3 months); once yin-essence gradually recovers and symptoms improve, the dose may be reduced to a maintenance level.