身痛逐瘀汤

4. Granule conversion and dose

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

Tao Ren (peach kernel) 9 g + Hong Hua (safflower) 9 g + Chuan Xiong (szechwan lovage rhizome) 6 g + Dang Gui (chinese angelica root) 9 g + Mo Yao (myrrh) 6 g + Wu Ling Zhi (flying squirrel droppings) 6 g + Xiang Fu (nutgrass galingale rhizome) 6 g + Niu Xi (achyranthes root) 9 g + Di Long (earthworm) 6 g + Qiang Huo (notopterygium root) 6 g + Qin Jiao (large gentian root) 6 g + Gan Cao (licorice root) 6 g = 81 g.

Conversion to 5:1 granules:

81 g raw herbs ÷ 5 = 16.2 g granules.

Granule dose: Take in 2 doses daily, morning and evening, dissolved in warm water, about 8 g per dose.

5. Cautions and clinical notes

• [Contraindications]:
  1. This formula has a strong action of invigorating blood and dispelling stasis, and is therefore absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy.
  2. Use with caution during menstruation.
  3. Not suitable for use alone in patients with qi and blood deficiency.
  4. Contraindicated in painful obstruction of the damp-heat type (presenting with red, swollen, hot, and painful joints).
• [Safety warnings]:
  1. In this formula, Wu Ling Zhi and Ren Shen (ginseng) are one of the "Nineteen Fears" incompatible pairs; therefore, preparations or health products containing ginseng should be avoided while taking this formula.
  2. Mo Yao and Wu Ling Zhi are irritating to the stomach; caution is advised in patients with Spleen-Stomach deficiency.
• Modern applications: This formula is widely used for rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic arthritis, periarthritis of the shoulder, cervical spondylosis, lumbar disc herniation, sciatica, gouty arthritis, and other conditions where the pattern is one of static blood obstructing the channels and collaterals.
• Duration of use: This formula is an attacking (purgative-type) formula and should be discontinued once the disorder resolves. For chronic painful obstruction, it may be used in stages as directed by a practitioner, or alternated with tonifying formulas.