沙参麦冬汤

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

Bei Sha Shen (glehnia root) 9 g + Mai Dong (ophiopogon tuber) 9 g + Yu Zhu (solomon's seal rhizome) 6 g + Tian Hua Fen (trichosanthes root) 4.5 g + Sheng Bian Dou (raw hyacinth bean) 4.5 g + Sang Ye (mulberry leaf) 4.5 g + Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice root) 3 g = 40.5 g.

Conversion to 5:1 granules:

40.5 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 8.1 g granules.

Recommended dose and method of administration:

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

o The total daily dose is 8.1 g of granules.

o Taken in two doses: approximately 4 g per dose, twice daily.

• It is recommended to take after meals.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• Contraindications:
  1. The herbs in this formula are mostly sweet, cold, and rich/cloying in nature; therefore it is contraindicated in Spleen-Stomach yang deficiency with cold and abundant internal phlegm-damp (manifesting as reduced appetite, loose stool, and thick greasy tongue coating).
  2. Not suitable for cough due to external contraction of wind-cold or due to excess heat.
• Relationship with modern medicine: This is a nourishing formula, well suited for states of fluid depletion arising from various chronic wasting diseases (such as pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic gastritis) or from the late stage of febrile disease, corresponding to supportive nutritional therapy in modern medicine.
• Modern applications: mainly used for chronic bronchitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic gastritis, diabetes, prolonged cough in children, and dry mouth after radiotherapy or chemotherapy, where the pattern is identified as Lung-Stomach yin damage.
• Duration of use: Yin deficiency is a chronic depletion condition; a certain duration of continuous use is needed before effects become apparent. Long-term use as directed by a practitioner is advised to achieve gradual improvement.