芍药甘草汤

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Bai Shao (white peony root) 12 g + Zhi Gan Cao (honey-fried licorice root) 12 g = 24 g.

Converted to 5:1 granules:

24 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 4.8 g granules.

Suggested dose and administration:

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

o Total daily dose is 4.8 g of granules.

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

• For acute spasmodic pain, the dose may be taken all at once or the interval between doses shortened as appropriate. It is recommended to take after meals.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• [Contraindications]:
  1. This formula is somewhat cooling and rich/cloying in nature, so it should be used with caution in Spleen-Stomach yang deficiency with cold and excessive dampness with fullness (manifesting as poor appetite, abdominal distension, loose stools, and thick greasy tongue coating).
  2. Use with caution in patients with edema (because licorice has a potential effect of retaining water and sodium).
• [Characteristics]: This is a basic formula, often combined with other formulas to strengthen its effect of relaxing spasms and relieving pain. Its mechanism of pain relief differs from that of formulas that invigorate blood or dispel cold to relieve pain; it works through "softening and relaxing," and is therefore particularly effective for spasmodic pain of smooth muscle and skeletal muscle.
• Modern applications: This formula is widely used for gastrocnemius spasm (calf cramps), gastric spasm, intestinal spasm, biliary colic, renal colic, trigeminal neuralgia, dysmenorrhea, and asthma, in cases where the pattern is one of yin-blood insufficiency with sinew tension and spasm.
• Duration of use: For acute pain, discontinue once the condition resolves. When used for the management of chronic conditions, it may be taken for a set course as advised by a practitioner.