桃红四物汤

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Shu Di Huang (prepared rehmannia root) 15 g + Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) 12 g + Tao Ren (peach kernel) 9 g + Hong Hua (carthamus flower) 6 g + Bai Shao (white peony root) 9 g + Chuan Xiong (Sichuan lovage rhizome) 6 g = 57 g.

Conversion to 5:1 granules:

57 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 11.4 g granules.

Granule dosage: Take in 2 doses daily, morning and evening, dissolved in warm water, about 5.5 g per dose.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• [Contraindications]:
  1. This formula has a strong action in invigorating blood circulation and dispelling stasis, and is therefore absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy.
  2. Use with caution during menstruation, or as directed by a practitioner.
  3. Contraindicated in those without blood stasis and in those with reckless movement of blood due to heat.
• [Characteristics]: This formula is a commonly used base formula for the treatment of blood stasis patterns, and is particularly suitable for conditions accompanied by blood deficiency. Its blood-invigorating action is stronger than that of Si Wu Tang, but weaker than formulas that purely attack stasis; it belongs to the category of formulas that combine attack and tonification.
• Modern applications: Widely used for dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, endometriosis, uterine fibroids, coronary heart disease with angina pectoris, thrombophlebitis of the lower limbs, soft tissue contusions, and other conditions where the pattern is identified as blood deficiency with blood stasis.
• Duration of use: This formula combines attack and tonification and may be taken for a certain duration as directed by a practitioner. When used to regulate menstruation, it is commonly taken before or during menstruation.