Menstrual pain in women is known as dysmenorrhea, which can greatly affect their daily life and work. So, what can be done to relieve menstrual pain? There are many treatment methods for dysmenorrhea, but how does traditional Chinese medicine treat it? Let me tell you about the traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions for dysmenorrhea, how to relieve menstrual pain, and what to eat for dysmenorrhea.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescriptions for Dysmenorrhea
1. Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis
Symptoms: Lower abdominal distension and pain 1-2 days before or during menstruation, pain decreases after blood clots are discharged, breast tenderness, dark purple menstrual blood with blood clots, dark purple tongue with ecchymosis or petechiae on the edges, and wiry and rough pulse.
Prescription: The treatment principle is to soothe the liver, regulate Qi, promote blood circulation, and relieve pain. Modified Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang: 15g of Chinese angelica, 15g of red peony root, 15g of leonurus, 15g of achyranthes, 12g each of chuanxiong, peach kernel, safflower, incarvillea, evodia fruit, wuyao, and xiangfu, 9g each of zhike and danpi, and 6g of licorice, with 30g of salvia.
2. Cold Dampness Accumulation
Symptoms: Cold and painful lower abdomen before and during menstruation, pain worsens upon pressure, pain decreases with heat, reduced menstrual flow with dark clots, aversion to cold, loose stools, white greasy tongue coating, and deep tight pulse.
Prescription: The treatment principle is to warm the meridians, promote blood circulation, dispel cold, and eliminate dampness. Modified Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang: 6g each of caraway, dried ginger, and cinnamon twig, 9g each of incarvillea, chuanxiong, and atractylodes, 12g each of myrrh, red peony root, cyperus rotundus, evodia fruit, wuyao, and wuzhuyu, and 15g each of Chinese angelica and poria.
3. Qi and Blood Deficiency
Symptoms: Dull pain in the lower abdomen 1-2 days after menstruation or during menstruation, pain is relieved with pressure and rubbing, reduced menstrual flow with pale and watery color, fatigue, pale complexion, poor appetite, loose stools, pale tongue, and weak pulse.
Prescription: The treatment principle is to nourish Qi, replenish blood, and relieve pain. Modified Sheng Yu Tang: 15g each of ginseng, Chinese angelica (pre-decoction), cooked rehmannia, and chicken's blood vine, 30g of astragalus, 9g each of chuanxiong, xiangfu, incarvillea, and baked licorice, 18g of white peony, and 12g of safflower.
4. Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Symptoms: Lower abdominal pain 1-2 days after menstruation, lumbosacral pain and soreness, reduced menstrual flow with dark and thin color, dizziness, tinnitus, or hot flashes, weak and weak pulse, thin white or pale yellow tongue coating.
Prescription: The treatment principle is to nourish the kidneys, nourish the liver, and relieve pain. Modified Tiao Gan Tang: 12g each of Chinese angelica, cornus, gelatin (melted), dioscorea, and xiangfu, 15g each of white peony, morinda, and cooked rehmannia, 6g of licorice, 30g of goji berries, and 9g of danpi.
