平胃散

4. Granule conversion and dose

Calculation of the total raw herb weight of the original formula (excluding ginger and jujube):

Cang Zhu (atractylodes rhizome) 15 g + Hou Po (magnolia bark) 9 g + Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel) 6 g + Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice root) 4 g = 34 g.

Conversion to 5:1 granules:

34 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 6.8 g granules.

Recommended dose and method of administration:

• Standard adult daily raw herb dose: the classical powder formula is typically taken as 15-20 g of raw herb powder daily, divided into two doses.
• Converted to ProCare Herbs granules:

o Take with warm water before breakfast and dinner daily, about 3 g per dose.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• [Contraindications]:
  1. This formula is warm and drying by nature, and is therefore contraindicated in patients with yin deficiency and effulgent fire (presenting with a red tongue with scant coating and dry mouth and throat).
  2. Use with caution in pregnant women.
  3. Not suitable for patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency who do not have internal obstruction by turbid dampness.
• [Composition features]: This formula is the basic formula for drying dampness and invigorating the Spleen, and many later formulas for regulating the Spleen and Stomach were developed by modifying it. In clinical practice it may be flexibly modified: for example, if there is an accompanying heat sign (yellow greasy tongue coating), Huang Lian (coptis rhizome) and Huang Qin (scutellaria root) may be added, forming "Qin Lian Ping Wei San (Scutellaria and Coptis Magnolia and Ginger Formula)"; if there is accompanying food stagnation, Shan Zha (hawthorn fruit) and Shen Qu (medicated leaven) may be added.
• Modern applications: This formula is widely used for chronic gastritis, functional digestive disorders, indigestion, and gastric and duodenal ulcers that present with the pattern of dampness obstructing the middle burner.
• Duration of use: Dampness is sticky and stagnant in nature and difficult to resolve quickly. The formula may be taken for a course of treatment as advised, while also attending to dietary regulation—avoiding raw, cold, greasy, and sweet, cloying foods so as not to encourage dampness and encumber the Spleen.