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.
No menstruation by 18 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 no menstruation by 18 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 no menstruation by 18 is often associated with dizziness, fatigue and dry mouth in the pattern “Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause no menstruation by 18.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of no menstruation by 18 we’ve identified three 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 no menstruation by 18.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause no menstruation by 18
In Chinese Medicine no menstruation by 18 is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to no menstruation by 18, other symptoms associated with Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency include dizziness, fatigue and dry mouth.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Vaginal Itching.
Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency is often treated with Zuo Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Zuo Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that nourish yin and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Nourishes the Yin".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to no menstruation by 18, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency include dizziness, depression and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Absence Of Menstruation.
Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency is often treated with Dang Gui Di Huang Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Dang Gui Di Huang Yin 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: "Nourishes Blood".
Read more about Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency here
Three herbal formulas that might help with no menstruation by 18
Liu Wei Di Huang Wan
Source date: 1119 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system).
Why might Liu Wei Di Huang Wan help with no menstruation by 18?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which no menstruation by 18 is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
Dang Gui Di Huang Yin
Source date: 1640 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Blood. Tonifies Kidney and Liver Yin. Regulates the menstrual cycle.
Why might Dang Gui Di Huang Yin help with no menstruation by 18?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency' of which no menstruation by 18 is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Essence Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
He Che Da Zao Wan
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies the Kidneys. Strengthens the Directing and Penetrating Vessels. Regulates the periods.
Why might He Che Da Zao Wan help with no menstruation by 18?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency' of which no menstruation by 18 is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney and Liver Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Absence Of Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat no menstruation by 18
Why might Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with no menstruation by 18?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat no menstruation by 18 as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or Dang Gui Di Huang Yin 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 Eucommia Bark (Du Zhong) help with no menstruation by 18?
Because Eucommia Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat no menstruation by 18 as a symptom, like Dang Gui Di Huang Yin or He Che Da Zao Wan for instance.
Eucommia Bark is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. Calms ascendant Liver Yang (hypertension/high blood pressure). Calms a restless fetus.
Why might Cornelian Cherry (Shan Zhu Yu) help with no menstruation by 18?
Because Cornelian Cherry is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat no menstruation by 18 as a symptom, like Dang Gui Di Huang Yin or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Cornelian Cherries is a Warm herb that tastes Sour. It targets the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Preserves and tonifies the Kidney, Liver and Essence. Stops sweating and benefits the Yang and Qi. Assists menstruation and stops bleeding.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with no menstruation by 18?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat no menstruation by 18 as a symptom, like Liu Wei Di Huang Wan or He Che Da Zao Wan for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Yam (Shan Yao) help with no menstruation by 18?
Because Yam is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat no menstruation by 18 as a symptom, like Dang Gui Di Huang Yin or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan for instance.
Yam is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Kidney and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach. Tonifies the Lung Qi and nourishes the Lung Yin. Nourishes the Kidneys and consolidates Jing.
Conditions associated with no menstruation by 18
Other symptoms often associated with no menstruation by 18
Dizziness Depression Fatigue Dry mouth Night sweats Insomnia Lower back pain Low energy Dark face Dry throat