Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang (Sedate the Liver and Extinguish Wind)

Zhen Gan Xi Feng Tang is a classical Traditional Chinese Medicine decoction composed of approximately 12 herbs, not typically evaluated for macronutrient content as it is consumed as a medicinal formula rather than a food. Key bioactive compounds by ingredient include: **Dai Zhe Shi (Hematiteite):** primarily iron oxide (Fe2O3), providing trace iron (~30-50 mg per typical 30g dose), with low oral bioavailability (~5-10%) due to mineral form; acts as a heavy sedative to descend liver yang. **Huai Niu Xi (Achyranthes bidentata root, ~30g):** contains triterpenoid saponins (oleanolic acid glycosides, ~0.5-1.5%), ecdysterone (~0.02-0.1%), polysaccharides (~5-8%), and potassium (~200-400 mg per dose); directs blood and qi downward. **Long Gu (Dragon Bone/fossilized bone, ~15g):** primarily calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate, providing ~300-500 mg elemental calcium per dose (bioavailability ~20-30%); also contains trace strontium, magnesium (~10-20 mg), and zinc (~1-3 mg). **Mu Li (Oyster Shell, ~15g):** calcium carbonate (~90%), yielding ~400-600 mg elemental calcium; trace zinc (~2-5 mg), selenium (~5-15 mcg), and magnesium (~10-15 mg); bioavailability moderate (~25-35%). **Bai Shao (White Peony Root, ~15g):** paeoniflorin (~2-5%, key bioactive, ~300-750 mg per dose), benzoic acid, tannins (~3-5%), small amounts of vitamin C (~2-5 mg), and trace iron; paeoniflorin has moderate oral bioavailability (~30-50%). **Xuan Shen (Scrophularia root, ~15g):** harpagide and harpagoside iridoid glycosides (~0.5-1.5%), acteoside (~0.3-0.8%), phenylpropanoid glycosides; also contains trace manganese and potassium. **Tian Dong (Asparagus cochinchinensis tuber, ~15g):** steroidal saponins (~1-3%), asparagine (~0.5-1%), polysaccharides (~10-15%), fructans; provides trace potassium (~100-200 mg) and small amounts of dietary fiber (~1-2g). **Mai Dong (Ophiopogon tuber, ~15g):** steroidal saponins (ophiopogonins, ~0.5-2%), homoisoflavonoids (methylophiopogonanone, ~0.05-0.2%), polysaccharides (~30-40% dry weight), with trace B-vitamins. **Gou Qi Zi (Lycium/Goji berry, ~15g, when included):** zeaxanthin (~5-15 mg), betaine (~0.5-1%), polysaccharides (Lycium barbarum polysaccharides ~5-8%), vitamin C (~10-20 mg), beta-carotene (~2-5 mg), iron (~1-2 mg), and riboflavin (~0.1 mg); good carotenoid bioavailability when decocted. **Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum flower, ~10g, when included):** luteolin and apigenin flavonoids (~0.3-1.0%), chlorogenic acid (~0.5-1.5%), vitamin A precursors (~50-100 mcg RAE), trace selenium. **Chuan Lian Zi (Melia toosendan fruit, ~6g):** toosendanin triterpenoids (~0.01-0.05%, narrow therapeutic index), volatile oils. **Mai Ya (Malt/Barley sprout, ~10g):** provides small amounts of B-vitamins (B1 ~0.05 mg, B6 ~0.03 mg), amylase enzymes, dietary fiber (~0.5-1g), and trace protein (~0.5-1g). **Gan Cao (Licorice, ~6g, sometimes included):** glycyrrhizin (~2-6%, yielding ~120-360 mg per dose), liquiritigenin, isoliquiritigenin flavonoids (~0.1-0.5%); glycyrrhizin bioavailability ~10-20% but active metabolite glycyrrhetinic acid is well absorbed. **Overall per single dose decoction (~200-300 mL):** Calories: ~15-40 kcal; Protein: <2g; Carbohydrates: ~5-10g (mostly from polysaccharides); Fat: negligible; Calcium: ~700-1100 mg (from Long Gu and Mu Li, moderate bioavailability); Iron: ~30-55 mg (mostly low-bioavailability mineral iron from Dai Zhe Shi); Potassium: ~300-600 mg; Total flavonoids: ~50-200 mg; Total saponins: ~200-600 mg; Paeoniflorin: ~300-750 mg. The formula is not a significant source of macronutrients, fiber, or fat-soluble vitamins; its therapeutic value derives from synergistic bioactive alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, iridoid glycosides, and mineral sedatives rather than nutritional content.