舒筋活血汤

4. Granule conversion and dose

Assuming that the total weight of raw herbs for one decoction is 518 g (for ease of calculation, and setting Zi Ran Tong (native copper) at 1 g), the dose of each herb is as follows:

• Gou Ji (cibotium rhizome): 80 g
• Hu Ji Sheng (mistletoe): 80 g
• Ji Xue Teng (spatholobus stem): 60 g
• Luo Shi Teng (star jasmine stem): 60 g
• Shen Jin Cao (clubmoss): 60 g
• Ze Lan (bugleweed): 60 g
• Xiang Fu (cyperus rhizome): 60 g
• Xiang Jia Pi (periploca root bark): 40 g
• Hong Hua (carthamus flower): 16 g
• Zi Ran Tong (native copper): 1 g
• Total raw herb weight: 80+80+60+60+60+60+60+40+16+1 = 517 g (approximately)

Converted to 5:1 granules:

517 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 103.4 g of granules.

Granule dose: Take in 2-3 doses daily, dissolved in warm water with a small amount of white liquor added, about 8 g per dose.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

[Contraindications]:

1. Absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy, because the formula contains a large amount of blood-invigorating and channel-freeing substances (Hong Hua, Ze Lan, Ji Xue Teng, Zi Ran Tong, etc.).
2. Use with caution in patterns of yin deficiency with internal heat, or blood deficiency with wind-dryness.
3. This formula contains toxic substances and must be taken strictly under a practitioner's guidance.

[Safety warnings]:

1. Xiang Jia Pi in this formula contains cardiac glycosides and is toxic; excessive use may cause cardiac arrhythmia. Zi Ran Tong is a mineral substance containing heavy metals and should not be used in excess or for a prolonged period. Although ProCare Herbs granules have been processed and prepared, caution is still required.
2. This formula is intended for treatment and should be discontinued once the disease responds; it is not suitable for prolonged, continuous use.

Modern applications: Mainly used for rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, lumbar muscle strain, soft-tissue contusion, and the recovery period after fracture, in patterns identified as Liver-Kidney insufficiency with wind-damp and blood stasis obstruction.

Duration of use: For acute pain, usually taken for 2-4 weeks. Once symptoms are relieved, the formula should be discontinued or changed to a milder regulating formula.