🌿 Folk Prescriptions

1. Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis
Main Symptoms: Abdominal distension or severe pain 1–2 days before menstruation or during menstruation. Menstrual cycle often delayed, low volume or unsmooth flow, dark red or purplish blood with clots. Pain decreases after clot expulsion; disappears after menstruation ends. Often accompanied by chest and breast distension, irritability, anger, dark purple tongue or ecchymotic spots, thin coating, and deep wiry pulse.
Treatment Principle: Activating blood circulation, resolving stasis, regulating qi, relieving pain.
Formula: Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang with modifications. Ingredients include Angelica sinensis, Red Peony Root, Ligusticum wallichii, Peach Kernel, Safflower, Citrus Aurantium, Corydalis, Five-Lingzhi, Moutan Bark, Wu Yao, Cyperus rotundus, Licorice root, etc.
2. Cold-Damp Accumulation
Main Symptoms: Cold or cramping pain in lower abdomen several days before menstruation or during menstruation, possibly radiating to the back and spine. Pain relieved by warmth, worsened by cold, aggravated by pressure. Menstrual cycle often delayed, flow obstructed or suddenly stops, low volume, dark black blood with clots, increased vaginal discharge with thin consistency, pale face, cold limbs, cold aversion, loose stools, pale dark tongue, white greasy coating, and deep tight pulse.
Treatment Principle: Warming meridians, dispelling cold, removing dampness, resolving stasis, relieving pain.
Formula: Wen Jing Tang with modifications. Ingredients include Evodia rutaecarpa, Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum wallichii, Motherwort, Corydalis, Achyranthes bidentata, Cinnamon twig, Atractylodes macrocephala, Poria, Cyperus rotundus, Dried ginger, etc.
3. Qi and Blood Deficiency
Main Symptoms: Mild continuous pain in lower abdomen 1–2 days after menstruation or post-menstrually, or a sensation of emptiness and heaviness in the lower abdomen and genital area, pain relieved by pressure. Low menstrual volume, pale color, thin consistency. Emaciation, fatigue, palpitations, shortness of breath, pale complexion, poor appetite, loose stools, pale tongue with thin coating, and fine weak pulse.
Treatment Principle: Tonifying qi and nourishing blood, regulating menstruation, relieving pain.
Formula: Sheng Yu Tang combined with Ba Zhen Tang with modifications. Ingredients include Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared), Angelica sinensis, White Peony Root, Ligusticum wallichii, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula, Evodia rutaecarpa, Cinnamon twig, Cyperus rotundus, Corydalis, Licorice root, etc.
4. Liver and Kidney Deficiency
Main Symptoms: Mild continuous pain in lower abdomen 1–2 days after menstruation, soreness in waist and knees, dark pale menstrual blood, low volume, thin consistency. Dizziness, tinnitus, red tongue with thin coating, and deep fine pulse.
Treatment Principle: Nourishing liver and kidney, regulating menstruation, relieving pain.
Formula: Tiao Gan Tang with modifications. Ingredients include Angelica sinensis, White Peony Root, Cornus officinalis, Morinda officinalis, Donkey-hide gelatin, Yam, Rehmannia glutinosa (prepared), Lycium barbarum, Moutan Bark, Toona sinensis seed, etc.