少腹逐淤汤

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Xiao Hui Xiang (fennel fruit) 1.5g + Gan Jiang (dried ginger rhizome) 3g + Yan Hu Suo (corydalis rhizome) 3g + Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) 9g + Chuan Xiong (Sichuan lovage rhizome) 3g + Chi Shao (red peony root) 6g + Pu Huang (cattail pollen) 9g + Wu Ling Zhi (flying squirrel feces) 6g + Mo Yao (myrrh) 6g + Rou Gui (cinnamon bark) 3g = 49.5 g.

Converted to 5:1 granules:

49.5 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 9.9 g granules.

Recommended dose and method of administration:

• Standard adult daily dose: The classical decoction is typically taken as one dose per day, divided into two warm doses.
• Converted to ProCare Herbs granules:

o The total daily dose is 9.9 g of granules.

o Divided into two-three doses, 3-5 g per dose.

• It is recommended to begin taking the formula 3-5 days before menstruation and continue until the menstrual pain resolves. In cases of severe pain, the dose may be increased as appropriate under a practitioner's guidance.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• Contraindications:
  1. This formula has strong blood-invigorating and stasis-breaking action, and is therefore absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy.
  2. It should not be used in patterns of damp-heat pouring downward or yin deficiency with blood heat.
  3. It is not suitable for use in the absence of blood stasis.
• Safety warning: Wu Ling Zhi and Ren Shen (ginseng) are among the "eighteen incompatibilities" (十九畏) of TCM, so preparations or health products containing ginseng should be avoided while taking this formula. ProCare Herbs granules are prepared with herb sourcing that is regulated and standardized.
• Modern applications: This formula is widely used for dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, adenomyosis, chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, infertility (of the cold-coagulation-blood-stasis pattern), and benign prostatic hyperplasia, in cases presenting with the pattern of cold coagulation and blood stasis in the lower burner.
• Duration of use: This formula is an attacking formula that addresses the branch (symptoms) rather than the root, and should be used during symptomatic episodes (such as during dysmenorrhea), or adjusted according to the menstrual cycle under a practitioner's guidance. It should not be taken long-term; once the blood stasis has dispersed, the formula should be adjusted.