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.
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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 irregular menstruation, lower abdominal pain and dizziness in the pattern “Damp-Heat”. 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.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause 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.
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include irregular menstruation, lower abdominal pain and dizziness.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat in the Liver
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern is caused by excessive Heat in the Liver and Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency. Dampness can cause the formation of Phlegm. Patients often have a feeling of fullness. It is often caused by bad diet and lifestyle, hot and damp environment and emotional stress such as anger.
In addition to menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Liver include irregular menstruation, bitter taste in the mouth and vomiting.
Damp-Heat in the Liver is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, a formula used for Qi And Blood Stagnation
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 amenorrhea, irregular menstruation and 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 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
Liver Qi Stagnation
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 irregular menstruation, abdominal pain and lower abdominal pain.
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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to menstrual cramps, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include abdominal pain, dizziness and irritability.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including White Peony Roots - Bai Shao - as a key herb). Xuan Yu Tong Jing 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: "Pacifies the Liver".
Five herbal formulas that might help with menstrual cramps
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with menstrual cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which menstrual cramps is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Source date: 2002 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi.
Why might Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San help with menstrual cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which menstrual cramps is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat. Resolves dampness. Reduces jaundice.
Why might Yin Chen Hao Tang help with menstrual cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver' of which menstrual cramps is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Damp-Heat In The Liver include irregular menstruation, bitter taste in the mouth and vomiting.
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 menstrual cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi And Blood Stagnation' of which menstrual cramps is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi And Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with menstrual cramps?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which menstrual cramps is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Qi Stagnation include irregular menstruation, abdominal pain and lower abdominal pain.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat menstrual cramps
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with menstrual cramps?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat menstrual cramps and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom (such as Tao He Cheng Qi 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.
Why might Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with menstrual cramps?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat menstrual cramps and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom (such as Tao He Cheng Qi Tang for instance).
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with menstrual cramps?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Dan Zhi 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 Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with menstrual cramps?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Yin Chen Hao Tang for instance.
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with menstrual cramps?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat menstrual cramps as a symptom, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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.
Conditions associated with menstrual cramps
Other symptoms often associated with menstrual cramps
Amenorrhea Irregular menstruation Abdominal pain Lower abdominal pain Chest pain Scanty periods Dizziness Irritability Sore back Restlessness