Dark Menstrual Blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different dark menstrual blood patterns according to TCM theory
Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice
Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Dark menstrual blood is characterized by a darker than usual appearance of menstrual flow, often bordering on blackish or very deep red. This symptom can present in various forms, from blackish menstrual blood to darkened menstrual flow. Understanding this condition is crucial as it can be indicative of underlying health issues or changes in the body’s natural processes.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dark menstrual blood is seen as an indicator of internal imbalances. TCM does not just treat symptoms in isolation but looks at the body holistically. It is believed that the color and nature of menstrual blood can reveal much about a woman's health status.
TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying specific patterns of disharmony, as different causes may lead to the symptom of dark menstrual blood. Treatment is then tailored to these underlying patterns, ensuring a more holistic and effective approach.
TCM Patterns for Dark Menstrual Blood
Blood Stasis
Causes: Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Blood Stagnation
Dark colored blood
Along with: Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual clots, Dark menstrual blood, Lumps
Liver Blood Stagnation
Dark colored blood
Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods, Dark menstrual clots, Infertility, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Purple lips, Purple face, Skin dryness, Petechiae
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
Dark colored blood
Along with: Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia, Lower abdominal pain, Umbilical pain, Breast engorgement, Breast pain
Qi Stagnation
Causes: Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Liver Qi Stagnation
Dark colored blood
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Irregular periods, Globus sensation, Pre menstrual breast distension, Pre menstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger, Melasma
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Along with: Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails, Irritability, Mood swings, Depression, Mottled skin, Foot edema, Abdominal masses, Melena black tarry stool, Menstrual cramps, Amenorrhea, Dark menstrual clots, Prolonged lochia, Irregular periods, Melasma
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Dark menstrual blood
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation
Heat
Causes: Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Heat in the Blood
Dark colored blood
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Heat in Uterus Blood
Dark colored blood
Along with: Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face, Anger, Anxiety, Dark urine, Constipation
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Dark menstrual blood
Along with: Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression, Mood swings, Globus sensation, Feeling of heat, Flushed face, Thirst, Anger, Pre menstrual tension, Irregular periods, Pre menstrual breast distension, Excessive menstruation
Cold
Causes: Dark colored blood
Cold in the Uterus
Dark colored blood
Along with: Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge
Herbal Formulas for Dark Menstrual Blood
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address dark menstrual blood
Si Wu Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Restores and nourishes Blood
- Stimulates Blood circulation
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Cold in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Wen Jing Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the Uterus and vessels
- Nourishes Blood
- Dispels Cold
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Cold in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood
- Stops pain
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood stagnation
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Cold in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver
- Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
- Stops pain
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation
- Tonifies Spleen
- Clears Deficient Heat
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it manifests:
Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Eases pain
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Removes Stagnation
- Drains Fire
- Unblocks the Meridians
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
How it manifests:
Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Upper abdominal distension, Stifling sensation in the chest, Irritability, Melancholia, Depression...
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Transforms Blood Stasis
- Softens lumps
- Reduces fixed abdominal pain
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Blood Stagnation in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Irregular periods, Brown vaginal discharge, Dark menstrual clots, Menstrual cramps, Dark menstrual blood, Prolonged lochia...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Dan Shen Yin
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
- Stops pain
- Promotes Qi movement
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Jin Ling Zi San
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Moves Liver Blood and Liver Qi
- Drains Liver Heat or Fire
- Stops pain
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Unblocks the channels
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Unblocks painful obstruction
- Relieves pain
- Invigorate Qi
- Dispels Blood Stagnation
- Unblock Channels
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Qi Li San
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Invigorates Qi
- Reduces swelling and pain
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Guo Qi Yin
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Warms the menses
- Dispels blood Stagnation
- Nourishes the blood
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Qi And Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood, Dark menstrual blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Chest distension, Chest pain, Stabbing fixed pain, Dark face, Purple lips, Purple nails...
Qing Jing San
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Blood-Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Tao He Cheng Qi Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Dispels Heat and
- Eliminates Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Wu Yao Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Pacifies the Liver
- Moves Qi
- Stops pain
- Nourishes Liver Blood
- Eliminates Stagnation
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Qi Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac distention, Chest distension, Upper abdominal distension, Abdominal distention, Sighing, Melancholia...
Da Ying Jian
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Blood
- Expels Cold
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Cold in the Uterus
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Diarrhea, Loss of appetite, Generalized fatigue, General weakness, Thin vaginal discharge
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Da Huang Mu Dan Pi Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Stagnant Heat in the intestines
- Reduces swelling and disperses lumps
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Liang Di Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Cools Blood
- Stop bleeding
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Di Dang Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Di Gu Pi Yin
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Da Huang Zhe Chong Wan
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Breaks up and dispels Blood Stagnation
- Generates new Blood
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Empty Heat
- Tonifies the Kidney Yin
- Stops bleeding
- Supplies Body Fluids
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face...
San Zhong Kui Jian Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and resolves Toxicity
- Reduces swelling
- Induces ulceration
- Moves the Blood and dispels stasis
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Huai Jiao Wan
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears heat from the Intestines
- Stops bleeding
- Disperses wind
- Regulates Qi
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face...
Hai Tong Pi Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood
- Disperses swelling
- Dispels Wind, Dampness and Cold
- Removes Stagnation and relieves pain
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Gu Jing Wan
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Clears Heat
- Stops bleeding
- Stabilizes the menses
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in Uterus Blood
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Excessive menstruation, Sudden period before schedule, Dark menstrual blood, Sticky menstrual blood, Thirst, Flushed face...
Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Warms and harmonizes the channels
- Unblocks painful obstruction
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Yu Lin Zhu
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Tonifies Kidney Yang
- Consolidates the Penetrating and Directing Vessel (Chong Mai, Ren Mai)
- Facilitating pregnancy
- Promotes Blood circulation and regulates menstruation
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...
Zhu Yu Zhi Xue Tang
Addresses these dark menstrual blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood
- Stops bleeding
Addresses These Dark Menstrual Blood Pattern Variations
Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Dark colored blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Dark face, Purple lips, Stabbing fixed pain, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Menstrual cramps...