普济消毒饮

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Huang Lian (coptis rhizome) 15 g + Huang Qin (scutellaria root) 15 g + Lian Qiao (forsythia fruit) 6 g + Bo He (mint) 6 g + Niu Bang Zi (great burdock fruit) 6 g + Jiang Can (stiff silkworm) 6 g + Chai Hu (bupleurum root) 12 g + Xuan Shen (figwort root) 9 g + Ma Bo (puffball) 6 g + Ban Lan Gen (isatis root) 6 g + Jie Geng (platycodon root) 6 g + Sheng Ma (cimicifuga rhizome) 6 g + Sheng Gan Cao (raw licorice root) 9 g + Chen Pi (aged tangerine peel) 6 g = 120 g.

Conversion to 5:1 granules:

120 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 24 g granules.

Recommended dose and method of administration:

• Standard adult daily raw herb dose: this formula is generally taken as one dose per day, divided into 2-3 administrations.
• Converted to ProCare Herbs granules:
  • Total daily dose is 24 g of granules.
  • Divided into two to three administrations: 8-12 g per dose.
• It is recommended to take after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• [Contraindications]:
  1. This formula is bitter, cold, acrid, and dispersing in nature; use with caution in patients with yin deficiency.
  2. Contraindicated in patients with Spleen-Stomach cold deficiency presenting with poor appetite and loose stool.
• [Clinical modifications]: If there is dry, bound stool, Da Huang (rhubarb root and rhizome) may be added to drain heat and unblock the bowels; if parotid swelling and pain are hard and firm, Xia Ku Cao (prunella spike) and Zhe Bei Mu (fritillaria bulb) may be added to strengthen the dispersal of nodulation.
• Modern applications: This formula is widely used for epidemic mumps, facial erysipelas, acute tonsillitis, and cellulitis of the head and face where the pattern is attributed to wind-heat toxin attacking upward.
• Duration of use: This formula is for acute conditions and should be discontinued once the disorder resolves; it should not be taken for a prolonged period. Once the heat subsides and the swelling resolves, it should be discontinued or the prescription adjusted.