Every woman experiences sleepiness during her menstrual period. Doctors and experts have conducted various studies on menstrual sleepiness. The results show that there is a certain relationship between menstrual sleepiness and a woman's physical constitution. For example, women who are overweight or swollen, or women who have a small appetite and loose stools, are more likely to experience sleepiness during their period. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, these conditions are related to problems with the spleen. According to Chinese medicine, "the spleen governs transportation and digestion, and the stomach receives and digests food and drink." The term "transportation and digestion" includes the functions of digestion and absorption of food and the metabolism and transportation of fluids. When we eat food and drink water, they need to be converted into nutrients and transported to various organs in our body in order for our body to function properly. The spleen can be seen as a transportation vehicle. If the spleen is deficient, its transportation and digestion functions will decline, leading to the stagnation of dampness. The stagnation of dampness, in turn, affects the spleen's transportation and digestion. This can result in reduced food intake, gastric distension, indigestion, loose stools, and fatigue. If a woman has a deficiency of the spleen and dampness, she will feel particularly tired during her period and always want to sleep.
So, what can be done to treat spleen deficiency and dampness? Here are two tips to help get rid of menstrual sleepiness.
Massage four acupoints: First, use the thumb to gently rotate and knead the Fengchi and Fengfu acupoints in a rhythmic motion. Relax the wrist and swing the forearm, which will move the wrist and fingers. Apply force to the fingers while kneading, and stabilize the position. The massage should be balanced and not overly stimulating. Then, use the same method to massage the Zusanli and Sanyinjiao acupoints on the feet, but with slightly more intensity. Massage each acupoint for three minutes, once a day, until there is improvement.
From the perspective of Chinese medicine, the Fengchi and Fengfu acupoints can be seen as dehumidifiers. The dampness from other parts of the body is transformed into yang heat and dispersed throughout the head and neck after passing through these acupoints. Therefore, massaging these two acupoints can help dispel dampness, invigorate the brain, and eliminate sleepiness. Zusanli can dry and transform spleen dampness, promote gastric qi, and Sanyinjiao, located at the intersection of the liver, spleen, and kidney meridians, has a health-preserving effect on these three organs. Massaging Zusanli and Sanyinjiao directly targets spleen deficiency and spleen dampness, helping to strengthen the spleen and eliminate dampness. Because of the effects of this massage, it directly addresses the cause of spleen deficiency and dampness, and therefore has a good effect on treating menstrual sleepiness in women.
Quail and Chinese yam porridge: 100g of glutinous rice, 300g of quail meat, and 50g of Chinese yam. Prepare 3g of ginger, 5g of scallions, and 2g of salt as seasonings. Wash the Chinese yam, peel it, and cut it into small pieces. Rinse the glutinous rice, soak it in cold water for half an hour, remove and drain the water. Remove the feathers and internal organs from the quail, wash it, remove the bones, and cut the meat into small pieces. Wash the ginger and scallions, chop them into small pieces or shreds. Put the glutinous rice, Chinese yam, and quail meat in a pot, add about 1000ml of cold water, bring to a boil over high heat, and then simmer over low heat until the rice is cooked and the meat is tender. Finally, add the ginger, scallions, and salt, season to taste, and serve.
According to traditional Chinese medicine, quail meat is sweet, neutral, and non-toxic. It belongs to the spleen and large intestine meridians and has the effects of reducing swelling, promoting diuresis, tonifying the middle burner, and benefiting qi. Its medicinal value is regarded as "animal ginseng." It has been found to have good therapeutic effects on malnutrition, physical weakness, dizziness, edema, diarrhea, obesity, and arteriosclerosis. Chinese yam is commonly consumed and has a sweet taste and neutral nature. It enters the spleen, lung, and kidney meridians and has the functions of strengthening the spleen, nourishing the lungs, invigorating the stomach, nourishing the kidneys, stabilizing the mind, and calming the spirit. It is mainly used to treat spleen and stomach weakness, fatigue, loss of appetite, chronic diarrhea, skin redness and swelling, and obesity. In summary, quail and Chinese yam porridge can effectively tonify the spleen and dispel dampness.
Now, you have massage techniques on your left hand and dietary therapy on your right hand to drive away the "sleepy bug" during your menstrual period. Pay attention to regular exercise in your daily life, persist in it, and your body will become stronger and more energetic. When it's time to work, work, and when it's time to sleep, sleep. Your life will become orderly.
