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.
dysmenorrhea, dysmenorrhoea, painful period, painful periods, primary dysmenorrhea and secondary dysmenorrhea redirect here
Menstrual cramps 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 menstrual cramps 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 menstrual cramps is often associated with scanty periods, abdominal pain and dark clots in menstrual blood in the pattern “Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause menstrual cramps.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of menstrual cramps we’ve identified five 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 menstrual cramps.
In Chinese Medicine menstrual cramps is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them 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
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Firm (Lao), Wiry (Xian)
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 menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Blood Stagnation include scanty periods, abdominal pain 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".
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a formula used for Qi And Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
In addition to menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Qi And Blood Stagnation include scanty periods, abdominal pain and dark clots in menstrual blood.
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 Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu 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: "Invigorates the Blood".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. The feeling of ‘Distension’ (zhang 胀) is the main symptom of Liver Qi Stagnation.
In addition to menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include scanty periods, abdominal pain and irregular menstruation.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Liver Qi 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".
The Pericardium is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Pericardium in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Knotted (Jie), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
In addition to menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Pericardium Blood Stagnation include dark clots in menstrual blood, chest pain and palpitations.
Pericardium Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Xue Fu Zhu Yu 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: "Invigorates the Blood".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple sides
Liver Blood Stagnation usually develops from Qi Stagnation, Cold and Heat. It has great influence over the Directing and Penetrating Vessels and thus the menstruation functions.
In addition to menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Stagnation include abdominal pain, dark clots in menstrual blood and irregular menstruation.
Liver 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".
The top herbs in Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang are Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong), Fennel Seeds (Xiao Hui Xiang) and Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang)
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood. Stops pain. Invigorates Blood. Dispels Blood stagnation.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation' of which painful period is a symptom.
The top herbs in Chai Hu Shu Gan San are Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) and Coco-Grass Rhizomes (Xiang Fu)
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi And Blood Stagnation' of which menstrual cramps is a symptom.
The top herbs in Xiao Yao San are Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), Dong Quai (Dang Gui) and White Peony Roots (Bai Shao)
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.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which menstrual cramps is a symptom.
The top herbs in Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang are Peach Kernels (Tao Ren), Safflowers (Hong Hua) and Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong)
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Pericardium Blood Stagnation' of which painful period is a symptom.
The top herbs in Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang are Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong), Safflowers (Hong Hua) and Peach Kernels (Tao Ren)
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm. Stops pain. Promotes Qi movement.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Stagnation' of which painful period is a symptom.
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Tiao Gan Tang or Si Wu Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
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.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Da Ying Jian or Tao He Cheng Qi Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Da Ying Jian or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
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.
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang or Ge Xia Zhu 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.
Because Peach Kernel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Tao He Cheng Qi Tang or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang for instance.
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.
Scanty periods Abdominal pain Dark clots in menstrual blood Dizziness Irregular menstruation Lower abdominal pain Amenorrhea Sore back Restlessness Chest pain