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.
Hesitant periods 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 hesitant periods 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 hesitant periods is often associated with restlessness, scanty periods and dark clots in menstrual blood in the pattern “Blood Stagnation”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hesitant periods we’ve identified two herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the four medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat hesitant periods.
Blood Stagnation, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause hesitant periods
In Chinese Medicine hesitant periods is a symptom for the pattern "Blood Stagnation". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Blood Stagnation
Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian), Firm (Lao)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Blood Stagnation, like the name indicates, is when Blood flow becomes Stagnant. It can happen in the whole body or in specific Organs.
It is one of the most important diagnostic conditions in Chinese Medicine because it is frequently the cause of intractable pain syndromes anywhere in the body.
In addition to hesitant periods, other symptoms associated with Blood Stagnation include restlessness, scanty periods and dark clots in menstrual blood.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Scanty Menstruation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
Blood Stagnation is often treated with Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Tao He Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dispels Heat and".
Two herbal formulas that might help with hesitant periods
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Source date: 1291 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver. Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen. Stops pain.
Why might Tao Hong Si Wu Tang help with hesitant periods?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation' of which hesitant periods is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Shi Xiao San
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Dispels Blood Stagnation. Eases pain.
Why might Shi Xiao San help with hesitant periods?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation' of which hesitant periods is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
The four Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hesitant periods
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with hesitant periods?
Because it is a key herb in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with hesitant periods as a symptom)
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi) help with hesitant periods?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with hesitant periods as a symptom)
Flying Squirrel Faeces is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Disperses congealed Blood in the lower abdomen and uterus and relieves pain. Promotes childhood nutrition with Cold Stagnation and focal abdominal swelling.
Why might Cattail Pollen (Pu Huang) help with hesitant periods?
Because it is a key herb in Shi Xiao San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with hesitant periods as a symptom)
Cattail Pollen is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Stops bleeding by Cooling pathogenic Heat. Moves Blood and relieves Blood Stagnation.
Why might Safflower (Hong Hua) help with hesitant periods?
Because it is a key herb in Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern '' (a pattern with hesitant periods as a symptom)
Safflowers is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis.
Conditions associated with hesitant periods
Other symptoms often associated with hesitant periods
Thin and watery periods Restlessness Malar flush Dizziness Cold limbs Weak knees Flooding suddenly before schedule Trickling blood after period Red face Feeling of heat