真武汤

3. Tongue and pulse

• Tongue: Pale and swollen tongue body, with tooth marks on the edges, white slippery coating.
• Pulse: Deep and fine, or deep and weak.

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Fu Zi (aconite root, prepared) 9 g + Fu Ling (poria) 9 g + Bai Zhu (white atractylodes rhizome) 6 g + Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger) 9 g + Bai Shao (white peony root) 9 g = 42 g.

Converted to 5:1 granules:

42 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 8.4 g granules.

Granule dose: Take in 2 doses daily, morning and evening, dissolved in warm water, about 4.5 g per dose.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

[Contraindications]:

1. Absolutely contraindicated in edema or difficult urination due to yin deficiency with water retention, or due to internal accumulation of damp-heat.
2. Use with caution or avoid in pregnancy, as Fu Zi in this formula is an herb requiring caution during pregnancy.

[Safety warnings]:

1. Fu Zi is toxic and must be processed before use. In the preparation of ProCare Herbs granules, strictly processed prepared Fu Zi (such as Hei Shun Pian or Bai Fu Pian) must be used, to substantially reduce its toxicity and ensure medication safety.
2. This formula must be used under the pattern-based guidance of a TCM practitioner and must not be used indiscriminately on one's own.

Modern applications: Mainly used for chronic nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, cardiogenic edema, chronic renal failure, congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism, chronic enteritis, otogenic vertigo, and other conditions where the pattern is Spleen-Kidney yang deficiency with internal water-damp retention.

Duration of use: This formula is a yang-warming preparation, and the conditions it treats are mostly chronic patterns of deficiency-cold; it must be taken persistently for a certain period before effects become apparent. It may be taken long term as directed by a practitioner, with modifications according to the presentation. Once yang qi has gradually been restored and water-damp resolved, the formula may be adjusted to consolidate the therapeutic effect.