一贯煎

3. Tongue and pulse

• Tongue: Red tongue body, scanty or absent coating, dry with little fluid.
• Pulse: Wiry-thin or weak-wiry and rapid pulse. (A wiry pulse indicates Liver qi stagnation; a thin-rapid pulse indicates yin deficiency with internal heat.)

4. Granule conversion and dose

Calculation of the total raw herb weight of the original formula (based on a medium dose):

Sheng Di Huang (rehmannia root) 24 g + Gou Qi Zi (goji berry) 12 g + Bei Sha Shen (glehnia root) 9 g + Mai Dong (ophiopogon tuber) 9 g + Dang Gui (Chinese angelica root) 9 g + Chuan Lian Zi (toosendan fruit) 5 g = 68 g.

Converted to 5:1 concentrated granules:

68 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 13.6 g granules.

Granule dose: Take dissolved in warm water twice daily, morning and evening, about 7 g per dose.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

[Contraindications]:

1. Because this formula contains a large proportion of yin-nourishing herbs, it should be used with caution or avoided in those with Spleen-Stomach deficiency cold and weak transportive function presenting with reduced appetite and loose stools, to avoid aggravating epigastric and abdominal distension or diarrhea.
2. It should be avoided in those with retained dampness and phlegm accumulation.
3. Chuan Lian Zi in the formula is slightly toxic and should not be used in excessive amounts or taken continuously for a long period.

[Safety notice]: During preparation, ProCare Herbs granules undergo standardized processing and strict quality control of herbs such as Chuan Lian Zi, ensuring that the dosage remains within a safe range. Nevertheless, the formula should be taken as directed by a practitioner and should not be self-administered in large amounts over a long period.

Modern applications: Mainly used for chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, epigastric pain (of the Stomach yin deficiency pattern), intercostal neuralgia, chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, neurosis, menopausal syndrome, irregular menstruation, and other conditions where the pattern is Liver-Kidney yin deficiency with blood dryness and qi stagnation.

Duration of use: This formula is a nourishing and regulating preparation with a relatively gentle onset of action. It may be taken for a certain period as directed by a practitioner to consolidate the therapeutic effect. Once the yin deficiency has been restored and the Liver qi has been soothed, the formula may be discontinued, or the patient may switch to another mild formula for further regulation.