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PMS Remedy and Chinese Herbs.
By: Catherine Browne, L.Ac., MH, Dipl.Ac.

In Chinese medicine a normal menstrual period should
be pain free with a modest amount of bright red blood.
Pain, dark blood and emotional fluctuations are signs of
imbalance that can be corrected with Chinese medicine.
There are number of different patterns that can present
with menstrual irregularities, and understanding these
patterns can help to more effectively choose herbal
formulas that will bring balance back to the body.

There is often more than one pattern responsible for
PMS, PMDD and menstrual disorders. In Chinese medicine,
hormonal health is maintained primarily by the Liver &
Kidney energetic systems, so many menstrual disorders
are associated with the (Chinese) Liver & Kidney.

Here are the most common patterns:

Liver Qi Stagnation
In Chinese medicine, the Liver controls menstrual blood, and
Liver Qi stagnation is a central pattern involved with PMS, PMDD, and any menstrual irregularity. Signs of Liver Qi Stagnation could also include irritability, emotional outbursts, breast tenderness, cramps before the period, depression, or headaches. Liver Qi Stagnation is addressed with our Free & Easy Wanderer Formula.


Kidney Deficiency
A pattern of menstrual disorders with Kidney Yang Deficiency will often include back soreness before menstruation, tiredness, watery menstrual blood, diarrhea just before menstruation, cramps after menstruation begins, tinnitus, or a feeling of cold in the body. This type of disorder would benefit from Yang tonic therapy such as Ancestor Treasure Formula.

Kidney Yin Deficiency presents with night sweats, back soreness, and a dry throat. This type of imbalance is more common in menstrual disorders nearing menopause, and can be treated with Yin Valley Formula.

Spleen Qi Deficiency
The Spleen meridian also traverses the reproductive area, and is partially responsible for the production of blood, and has a strong influence on reproduction and menstruation. Blood deficiency would be seen in menstrual disorders with brown blood. Spleen Qi Deficiency patterns often present with white or clear vaginal discharges that can be sticky in nature, general fatigue, eating disorders, obesity, or lack of appetite. Restore the Middle Way Formula is an effective Spleen Qi Tonic.

Blood Stagnation
PMS and PMDD with extreme menstrual cramps and pain is a sign of severe Liver Qi Stagnation combined with Blood Stagnation in the Uterus. Specific herbs are
used to move blood in the uterus that are included in Stasis in the Lower Palace Formula that can be combined with Free and Easy Wanderer Formula for best results.


Herbs for PMS PMDD:

Vitex spp.-man jing zi-Chaste Berry
Vitex has been used for thousands of years for its beneficial affect on the female hormonal system and modern research has confirmed this use. Vitex is especially helpful for PMS and in reversing estrogen dominance in menopause that leads to excessive bleeding. It clears Liver heat, especially associated with headaches and eye pain.

Paeonia lactiflora-bai shao-White peony
Tonic herb that soothes the Liver while building and purifying blood. Peony root is a famous and highly prized longevity herb. It is an eminent woman's herb used to regulate the hormonal cycle and stabilize emotions that can become out of control during PMS. It relieves cramps and spasms anywhere in the body.

Achyranthes bidentata-niu xi
Achyranthes root herb is used in many Chinese Kidney tonic formulations to improve circulation in the lower part of the body. It invigorates the blood and breaks up blood stagnation associated with PMS and is used for pain associated with menstrual cycles and PMDD. It also strengthens joints and relieves lower back pain.

Angelica sinensis-dang gui
A common herb for PMS and PMDD, it invigorates the blood, especially when blood has been stagnated by cold. Dang gui harmonizes the blood and alleviates menstrual disorders, while building blood with blood deficiency that is often seen in PMS.

Peonia spp.-chi shao-Red Peony
Used for all types of gynecological problems that involves blood stasis or heat. Red Peony herb invigorates the blood in PMS and PMDD and rectifies abdominal masses.

Ligusticum wallichii-chuan xiong
Ligusticum herb invigorates the blood and is used in any situation where there is blood stasis, such as PMDD. It has a definite therapeutic effect on heart problems. The root is an ingredient of 'Four Things Soup', the most widely used woman's tonic in China and is ideal for relieving PMS.

Poria cocos-fu ling
Poria is a fungus that grows on the roots of pine trees widely used in Chinese herbalism to leach out dampness, drain phlegm, and move fluid stagnation. It is traditionally used as a Qi tonic to strengthen Spleen function and is highly nourishing. Poria has important immune enhancing ability.

Bupleurum-chai hu
One of the most important herbs in Chinese medicine, it soothes Liver energy and relieves congestion when the Liver Qi is stagnated. This is especially important when one is easily frustrated or feels “stuck”. It is detoxifying and anti-microbial, Bupleurum has the ability clear stagnation anywhere in the body. It is used to relieve spasms, muscle tension and menstrual irregularity.

Salvia miltiorrhiza-dan shen-Red Sage Root
Salvia is a "blood vitalizing" herb used to improve circulation and break up blood stagnation, as seen in PMDD. Recent research in China and Japan indicates that salvia improves the condition and functioning of entire cardiovascular system. It is a famed longevity herb. Used for menstrual disorders with blood stagnation

Paeonia suffruticosa-mu dan pi-Tree peony root bark
Cools blood heat, pacifies Liver Fire, and invigorates the blood. Quells anger and emotional outbursts and cools fire from yin deficient patterns.

Spatholobus spp- ji xue teng
Millettia is an important herb for gynecological disorders including irregular menses due to Blood stasis or Blood deficiency. It is useful to treat muscle and joint pain by opening obstructions to Qi flow in the meridians.  Because it both nourishes and moves the blood, millettia is a good choice for those who are weak or deficient.  It is often included in formulas for cancer patients suffering from blood deficiency due to radiation or chemotherapy.

Cinnamomum cassia-rou gui-Cinnamon bark
Cinnamon bark is a strong essence tonic that promotes circulation and warms internal energy; it is said that it leads energy back to the source, or Kidney. Cinnamon bark increases the Yang energy and sexual vitality.

Aucklandia lappa/Saussurea lappa-mu xiang
Regulates stagnant Qi.

Carthamus-hong hua-Safflower
Breaks up blood stagnation and moves blood. Alleviates pain from trauma.

Foeniculum vulgare-xiao hu xiang-Fennel Seed
Fennel is a versatile herb that spreads Liver Qi,  harmonizes the stomach, relieves Large Intestine spasm and gas, supports Kidney Qi, warms the uterus, relieves coughing and boosts the immune system.

Citris reticulate-chen pi-Green tangerine peel
Dries dampness. Tangerine peel modifies herbs that have a “cloying” nature, thus making the combination more digestible without causing digestive distress.

Cyperus rotundus-xian fu
A classic supportive herb in Chinese medicine, cyperi moves Qi in the body and spreads Liver Qi.

For information on conventional approaches to PMS & PMDD, visit 4 Women, the Medline, or Facts for Health. This is not an endorsement of these organizations,  just a resource guide.

PMS Remedy and Chinese Herbs

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