Female menstruation can be divided into four phases, namely menstrual phase, follicular phase, ovulation phase, and luteal phase. These four phases involve a continuous transformation of yin and yang, a process of mutual growth and decline. The menstrual phase is a period of yang decline and yin growth, while the premenstrual phase is a period of yang growth and yin decline. These two periods involve growth and decline, as well as transformation. It is important for individuals to follow nature and adapt to the rhythms of bodily changes, understand these patterns, and adjust their physical and mental well-being accordingly.
For women, fruits and vegetables play a crucial role in their diet, driven by the pursuit of beauty and health, as well as the widespread availability of medical and health knowledge. It would be wonderful if they could consume appropriate fruits and vegetables during each phase of their menstrual cycle. These fruits and vegetables can be made into juices or simply fermented to create enzyme drinks, which can also serve the purpose of nourishing the body and are more easily absorbed during digestion.
Menstrual Phase: Kumquat and Radish for Regulating Qi
This phase is also known as the menstrual phase, where the onset of menstruation represents the end of the current menstrual cycle and the beginning of the next one. Therefore, this is a period of transition, where the main task is to smoothly discharge menstrual blood and eliminate all old substances from the body. It is important to "remove stagnant impurities and make way for new growth."
Some women experience discomfort and bloating in the lower abdomen during menstruation, feeling as if there is always a blockage preventing the normal flow of menstrual blood. In such cases, consuming kumquats or radishes can help regulate the flow of qi and relieve the accumulated gas in the abdomen. Another common issue during menstruation is dysmenorrhea caused by exposure to cold. Many people drink ginger sugar water to alleviate this discomfort. In addition to ginger sugar water, fruits like jujubes, cherries, lychees, and peaches also have the ability to warm the body, dispel cold, promote blood circulation, and regulate menstruation. These fruits can be made into beverages and consumed during the menstrual phase, providing not only a delicious drink but also relieving dysmenorrhea, stimulating the uterus, and helping eliminate accumulated impurities from the body, allowing the uterus to prepare for the next menstrual cycle with a fresh start. This natural metabolic process involves the consumption of qi and blood, which may cause some women to feel mentally fatigued and physically weak. Drinking fruit and vegetable juice not only helps regulate menstruation but also effectively balances fluid metabolism, replenishes water and prevents edema, aids in protein synthesis, and replenishes vitamins and minerals lost due to blood loss.
Follicular Phase: Goji Berry and Grape for Nourishing the Ovaries
This phase is also known as the post-menstrual phase, which is a relatively long period of time that can be divided into the early post-menstrual phase, mid-post-menstrual phase, and late post-menstrual phase.
In the early post-menstrual phase, after the completion of menstruation, the blood sea is empty and the growth of yin water is slow. It is important to nourish yin fluid and support its recovery. The ancients compared the post-menstrual phase to the postpartum period, emphasizing the importance of recovery.
In the mid-phase, yin water begins to nourish, and the most obvious sign is the appearance of vaginal discharge, which is absent in the early phase. The nourishing yin water can nourish the eggs, promote their development, and dissolve into the blood, contributing to the nourishment of the blood sea and the growth of the endometrium.
In the late phase, yin water becomes more abundant, resulting in increased and stickier vaginal discharge, all of which indicate good preparation for ovulation. As we know, everything in the world maintains a balance between yin and yang, with one growing while the other declines. When yin is excessively strong, yang will decline significantly. Therefore, during the mid to late post-menstrual phase, it is important to nourish yin while also paying attention to appropriate yang supplementation. Yang provides the necessary energy, and only with sufficient yang can yin reach higher levels, as the ancients said, "seeking yang within yin."
During this phase, goji berries, mulberries, yam, and black fungus are excellent companions for nourishing yin fluid. They can effectively nourish the ovaries and provide a favorable environment for the survival and development of the follicles, promoting their perfect growth and maturity.
Furthermore, in the early post-menstrual phase, some women may experience anemia due to the empty blood sea. In this case, grapes should not be overlooked as they are a popular fruit known for their ability to nourish qi and blood, and strengthen tendons and bones. Grapes can also make the skin smoother and more delicate, radiating a charming glow. Many women have the habit of drinking grape wine, as fermented grapes have even more powerful cosmetic and anti-aging effects.
Ovulation Phase: Mulberry and Pineapple to Facilitate Ovulation
This phase is also known as the intermenstrual phase because ovulation occurs during this time, which signifies the beginning of a new life. Therefore, it has been given many interesting names by ancient people, such as "yinyun phase," "true opportunity phase," and "blooming phase." The major physiological characteristic during this phase is the discharge of the ovum through the activity of yin and yang. Increased vaginal discharge, heightened sexual desire, lower backache, and mild abdominal distension or irritability and difficulty sleeping may occur during this phase. The main task during this period is to promote ovulation and help the eggs be released smoothly. However, not everyone will ovulate smoothly, as some women may experience issues with insufficient harmony between yin and yang. In such cases, it is important to pay attention to promoting blood circulation and harmonizing yin and yang.
The best companions for promoting ovulation are mulberries, pineapples, yardlong beans, chestnuts, and cabbage. These fruits and vegetables are the "professionals" in this area and are excellent in strengthening the kidneys. Strong kidneys not only help with the smooth release of eggs but also greatly reduce the occurrence of bleeding during the intermenstrual phase in many women. Additionally, they nourish the uterus and help the fertilized egg "land safely," relieving fatigue caused by excessive energy.
Luteal Phase: Citron and Pomelo to Soothe the Liver and Regulate Qi
This phase is also known as the premenstrual phase, during which the body is in a state of yang abundance and yin decline. One the one hand, it warms the uterus and dissolves the endometrium; on the other hand, it eliminates stagnant impurities and fluid in the reproductive organs caused by excessive yin energy. During this period, the flow of qi and blood is relatively robust, the endometrium is thicker, softer, and more easily shed, and all of this prepares for menstruation or fertilization. However, everything must be viewed from a balanced perspective, as there are inevitably some disadvantages hidden within the advantages. Due to the excessive yang energy during this phase, the liver's qi and fire are relatively strong, leading to symptoms such as chest tightness, irritability, breast tenderness or pain, dizziness, headache, and poor sleep. This is commonly known as premenstrual syndrome.
