Which Chinese herbal health products are essential for women?
Puberty: Dong Quai, Coix Seed
Common problems in adolescent girls include menstrual irregularities and excessive vaginal discharge. During this time, the uterus is still developing and its function is unstable. Combined with academic stress, significant changes in living environment, and irregular lifestyles, these factors can easily lead to menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and increased vaginal discharge.
Dong Quai can regulate menstruation, relieve pain, and promote blood circulation. Research has found that Dong Quai can also promote estrogen secretion, reduce vascular resistance, increase blood circulation, and nourish the skin. If there is blood stasis and delayed or painful menstruation, it can be combined with Xiang Fu, Chai Hu, and Chuan Xiong to promote blood circulation. If there is deficiency of Qi and blood, light-colored and abundant menstruation, palpitations, and shortness of breath, it can be combined with Zhi Huang Qi, Dang Shen, and Bai Zhu to tonify Qi. Alternatively, you can choose the Chinese patent medicine Gui Pi Wan.
Abnormal vaginal discharge is often caused by spleen deficiency. Common symptoms include white or pale yellow discharge that is sticky and odorless, continuous discharge, pale or sallow complexion, cold limbs, fatigue, and poor appetite. Coix Seed and Bai Zhu can be used together with Shan Yao, Cang Zhu, and Fu Ling to invigorate the spleen and eliminate dampness. Chinese patent medicines like Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (powder or pills) or Wu Ji Bai Feng Wan can also be used for treatment.
Postpartum: Donkey-hide Gelatin, Motherwort
After giving birth, women often experience blood deficiency and blood stasis due to childbirth injuries and blood loss.
Symptoms of postpartum blood deficiency include dizziness, fever, difficulty in defecation, lack of lactation, body pain, and muscle spasms. Donkey-hide Gelatin is an excellent blood tonic. It can be used with other herbs that tonify Qi and blood, promote blood circulation, and calm the mind, such as Dang Shen, Hong Zao, and Long Yan Rou. Note that Donkey-hide Gelatin should be melted and added to the herbal decoction for consumption. Donkey-hide Gelatin and Dong Quai can also be used together in Chinese patent medicines.
Symptoms of postpartum blood stasis include abdominal pain, fever, and incomplete lochia. Motherwort is the best Chinese herb for postpartum recovery. Take 20 grams of Motherwort and add 15 grams of Salvia, 15 grams of Dong Quai, and 10 grams of Chuan Xiong. Decoct in water and consume. Chinese patent medicines like Motherwort Paste or Motherwort Granules can also be used.
Chinese Herbal Remedies for Health and Beauty: How to Adjust for Women
Menopause: Kudzu Root, Saffron
Women entering menopause may experience physical and mental fatigue, irritability, insomnia, dry skin, dull hair, and menstrual irregularities, which can affect their daily life and work. Currently, 27% of white-collar women aged 30-40 experience some degree of early menopause. Therefore, in addition to increasing the intake of estrogen-rich foods such as soybeans, tofu, black rice, sweet potatoes, and pine nuts in their diet, women in middle age can also use Chinese herbs like Dong Quai, Kudzu Root, Licorice, and Saffron to brew tea or incorporate them into their food to alleviate menopausal symptoms and provide beauty and skincare benefits.
Research by German scientists has also shown that Dong Quai can inhibit the activity of tyrosinase, thereby suppressing the production of melanin. It can be used to treat freckles and melasma.
Kudzu Root is rich in flavonoids and has dual regulatory effects on estrogen. It has the effects of body shaping, beauty, and regulating endocrine function. Licorice extract has estrogen-like effects and can promote skin development and stimulate the production of hair black pigment, as well as prevent dry and graying hair. Saffron is known as the "guardian of women" and has good effects on menopausal syndrome, menstrual irregularities, insomnia, and irritability.
Take about 10 grams of Dong Quai, Kudzu Root, or Licorice to brew tea instead of regular tea to improve symptoms caused by decreased estrogen. Since Licorice has a sweet taste, it can be brewed together with Dong Quai or Kudzu Root to enhance the sweetness. Take a small pinch of Saffron (about 50 milligrams) and brew with water, drink one cup in the morning and one cup in the evening. Kudzu Root powder can also be directly dissolved in water for consumption. In addition, take 10 grams of Dong Quai, chop it, cook it with water, and then steam 100 grams of rice to make dry rice. Put the dry rice in the Dong Quai water and simmer for half an hour until the soup thickens and the rice is cooked to make Dong Quai porridge. Alternatively, take 30 grams of Kudzu Root, 50 grams of polished rice, rinse the rice and soak it overnight, then put it in a pot with the Kudzu Root, add 1000 grams of water, and cook over low heat until the rice becomes thick porridge to make Kudzu Root porridge.
