The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
Feeling of bearing down can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like feeling of bearing down here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here feeling of bearing down is often associated with scanty periods, dizziness and pale face in the pattern “Blood Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause feeling of bearing down.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of bearing down we’ve identified four herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat feeling of bearing down.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of bearing down
In Chinese Medicine feeling of bearing down is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Someone has a Deficiency of Blood when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood.
This can be caused by blood-loss, a lack of of Spleen Qi (responsible to produce Blood) or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
In addition to feeling of bearing down, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include scanty periods, dizziness and pale face.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Blood Deficiency is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the king ingredient for Xiao Yao San, a formula used for Qi and Blood Stagnation
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Red, Red sides
In addition to feeling of bearing down, other symptoms associated with Qi and Blood Stagnation include scanty periods, dizziness and lower abdominal pain.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi and Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Absence Of Menstruation or Menopausal Syndrome.
Qi and Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Dong Quai (Dang Gui) is the king ingredient for Sheng Yu Tang, a formula used for Blood and Qi Deficiency
Blood and Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Weak (Ruo), Fine (Xi)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to feeling of bearing down, other symptoms associated with Blood and Qi Deficiency include scanty periods, dizziness and sore back.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood and Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Menstrual Cramps or Absence Of Menstruation.
Blood and Qi Deficiency is often treated with Sheng Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Sheng Yu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi and Blood".
Four herbal formulas that might help with feeling of bearing down
Sheng Yu Tang
Source date: 1336 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Preserves the Blood.
Why might Sheng Yu Tang help with feeling of bearing down?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which feeling of bearing down is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with feeling of bearing down?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi and Blood Stagnation' of which feeling of bearing down is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi and Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with feeling of bearing down?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which feeling of bearing down is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Invigorates the Blood.
Why might Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang help with feeling of bearing down?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood and Qi Deficiency' of which feeling of bearing down is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood and Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of bearing down
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with feeling of bearing down?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of bearing down as a symptom, like Sheng Yu Tang or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with feeling of bearing down?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of bearing down as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Xiao Yao San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with feeling of bearing down?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of bearing down as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Sheng Yu Tang for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with feeling of bearing down?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of bearing down as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Ba Zhen Yi Mu Tang for instance.
Prepared Rehmannia is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Tonifies the Yin of the Kidneys.
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with feeling of bearing down?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of bearing down as a symptom, like Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang or Sheng Yu Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Conditions associated with feeling of bearing down
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of bearing down
Scanty periods Dizziness Sore back Frequent urination Pale face Lower abdominal pain Dark clots in menstrual blood Sore and weak limbs Tiredness Loose stools