失笑散

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Pu Huang (typha pollen) 10 g + Wu Ling Zhi (flying squirrel droppings) 10 g = 20 g.

Conversion to 5:1 granules:

20 g raw herb ÷ 5 = 4.0 g granules.

Granule dose: Take dissolved in warm water with a little vinegar, in 2 doses (morning and evening), about 2 g per dose. (In cases of severe pain, the dose may be increased for a short period as appropriate, under a practitioner's guidance.)

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• [Contraindications]:
  1. This formula has a strong action of invigorating the blood and dispelling stasis, and is therefore absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy.
  2. It should not be used in the absence of blood stasis.
  3. It should be used with caution during menstruation, or as directed by a practitioner.
• [Safety warning]: In this formula, Wu Ling Zhi and Ren Shen (ginseng) are among the "nineteen mutual incompatibilities" (shi jiu wei); therefore, preparations or health products containing ginseng should be avoided while taking this formula. In preparing ProCare Herbs granules, the sourcing of the herbal materials must meet proper standards.
• Modern applications: This formula is widely used for dysmenorrhea, endometriosis, poor postpartum uterine involution, angina pectoris, stomach pain, and rib-side pain where the pattern is one of blood stasis stagnation.
• Duration of use: This formula is an attacking (purgative-type) preparation and should be stopped once the disease is resolved; it should not be taken for a prolonged period. Once the stasis is dispelled and the pain relieved, use should be discontinued.