过期饮

o Cold congealing signs: Cold sensation in the lower abdomen, relieved by warmth.

3. Tongue and pulse

• Tongue: Pale-dark or pale-red tongue, with thin white coating.
• Pulse: Thin-wiry or deep-thin pulse.

4. Common modifications

• Pronounced blood deficiency: Add E Jiao (donkey-hide gelatin) and Sang Shen (mulberry fruit) to strengthen the blood-nourishing effect.
• Pronounced cold signs: Slightly increase the dose of Rou Gui (cinnamon bark), or add Ai Ye (mugwort leaf).
• Pronounced qi stagnation with distension and pain: Add Wu Yao (lindera root) and Chai Hu (bupleurum root) to strengthen the effect of soothing the Liver and moving qi.

5. Cautions

• Contraindications:

o Contraindicated in pregnancy.

o Contraindicated in cases of early menstruation with heavy flow due purely to blood heat or excess heat with stasis-binding.

o There is variation among species of Mu Tong (akebia/clematis stem) used in this formula; care should be taken to use a safe species such as Chuan Mu Tong (Clematis armandii stem) or Bai Mu Tong (Akebia stem).

6. Granule conversion and dose

• Calculation of total raw herb weight in the original formula (based on the standard dosage provided):

o Shu Di (prepared rehmannia root) 6g + Bai Shao (white peony root) 6g + Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) 6g + Xiang Fu (cyperus rhizome) 6g + Chuan Xiong (chuanxiong rhizome) 3g + Hong Hua (safflower) 2.1g + Tao Ren Ni (peach kernel paste) 1.8g + Peng E Zhu (zedoary rhizome) 1.5g + Mu Tong (akebia/clematis stem) 1.5g + Gan Cao (licorice root) 1.2g + Rou Gui (cinnamon bark) 1.2g = 36.3 g.

• Conversion to 5:1 granules:

o 36.3 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 7.26 g granules.

• Recommended dose and method of administration:

o One dose daily, taken in two portions, morning and evening, on an empty stomach dissolved in warm water, about 4 g per dose.

o Or strictly as directed by a practitioner; it is generally recommended to begin taking the formula about one week before the expected menstrual period, continuing until menstruation begins.