羌活胜湿汤

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

Qiang Huo (notopterygium rhizome) 6 g + Du Huo (pubescent angelica root) 6 g + Gao Ben (chinese lovage rhizome) 3 g + Fang Feng (saposhnikovia root) 3 g + Man Jing Zi (vitex fruit) 2 g + Chuan Xiong (chuanxiong rhizome) 1.5 g + Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice root) 1.5 g = 23 g.

Converted to 5:1 granules:

23 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 4.6 g granules.

Recommended dose and method of administration:

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

o Total daily dose is 4.6 g of granules.

o Taken in two doses: 2.5 g per dose, twice daily.

• Recommended to be taken after meals. After taking the formula, hot congee or hot water may be taken to assist sweating and expel the evil, but only to the point of a slight sweat; profuse sweating must be avoided.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• Contraindications:
  1. This formula is acrid, warm, and dispersing in nature; it is contraindicated in those with yin deficiency and blood deficiency (manifesting as dry mouth and throat, red tongue with little coating).
  2. Use with caution in those with qi deficiency spontaneous sweating (manifesting as unremitting sweating during the day without exertion, worsened by movement).
• Key points of administration: Inducing sweating with this formula is essential, but the principle of "a slight sweat over the entire body is best; do not allow it to pour out like water" should be followed, to avoid excessive sweating that damages yang.
• Modern applications: This formula is commonly used for the common cold, rheumatoid arthritis, frozen shoulder, cervical spondylosis, and headache, when the pattern is identified as wind-damp in the exterior.
• Duration of use: This formula treats the branch (symptoms); it is used to expel evil from the exterior. It should be discontinued once the condition resolves, after which the evil has been expelled and the formula should be stopped or adjusted.