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.
Pale menstrual blood 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 pale menstrual blood 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 pale menstrual blood is often associated with dizziness, fatigue and palpitations in the pattern “Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause pale menstrual blood.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of pale menstrual blood 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 pale menstrual blood.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause pale menstrual blood
In Chinese Medicine pale menstrual blood 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.
Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the king ingredient for Si Jun Zi Tang, a formula used for Qi Deficiency
Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Qi Deficiency simply means lack of Qi. It includes the lack of Original Qi, Nutritive Qi, Defensive Qi or the Qi that resides in Organs or Channels. It mainly manifests itself in a weakened function of Organs and a declining ability of the body to resist diseases.
In addition to pale menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Qi Deficiency include dizziness, fatigue and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Kidney Yang Deficiency causes Internal Cold and weakness.
In addition to pale menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yang Deficiency include dizziness, scanty periods and late period.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yang Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation, Menopausal Syndrome or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yang Deficiency is often treated with Ba Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Ba Wei Di Huang 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: "Tonifies Yang".
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 pale menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include dizziness, scanty periods and late period.
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".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
Tongue shape: Cracked
Kidney Yin Deficiency causes false Heat symptoms, such as night sweats, thirst and five palm heat. These signs are from a depletion of Body Fluids and Essence. It can be caused by prolonged overwork, excessive sexual activity, chronic long term illnesses, consumption of Body Fluids by Heat, prolonged blood loss, overdosage of Kidney Yang tonics herbs, smoking and Kidney depleting foods such as coffee, alcohol, sugar, and fruit juices.
In addition to pale menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, scanty periods and malar flush.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menopausal Syndrome, Prolonged Periods or Irregular Menstruation.
Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Liu Wei Di Huang Wan, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Liu Wei Di Huang 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: "Nutritive tonic for the Liver and Kidney Yin Essence (nourishes the parasympathetic nervous system)".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
In addition to pale menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency include dizziness, fatigue and palpitations.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation.
Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency is often treated with Gui Pi Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Gui Pi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi and blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood".
Five herbal formulas that might help with pale menstrual blood
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang
Source date: 1247
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi of the Spleen and Stomach (Middle Burner). Raises the Yang. Detoxifies. Lifts what has sunken.
Why might Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang help with pale menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Deficiency' of which pale menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Heavy Menstruation.
Er Xian Tang
Source date: 1950 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin and tonifies Yang of the Kidneys. Clears Empty Heat. Regulates the Directing and Penetrating Vessels.
Why might Er Xian Tang help with pale menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yang Deficiency' of which pale menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yang Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
Da Bu Yuan Jian
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Yin and Blood. Nourishes Qi and Yang.
Why might Da Bu Yuan Jian help with pale menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which pale menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
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 pale menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which pale menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Irregular Menstruation.
Gui Pi Tang
Source date: 1529 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood. Tonifies Heart and Spleen.
Why might Gui Pi Tang help with pale menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency' of which pale menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Spleen or Kidney Qi Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Early Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat pale menstrual blood
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with pale menstrual blood?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pale menstrual blood as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Er Xian Tang 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 Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with pale menstrual blood?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pale menstrual blood as a symptom, like Da Bu Yuan Jian or Liu Wei Di Huang Wan 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 pale menstrual blood?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pale menstrual blood as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Gui Pi 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).
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with pale menstrual blood?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pale menstrual blood as a symptom, like Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang 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.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with pale menstrual blood?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pale menstrual blood as a symptom, like Ren Shen Zi Xie Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang 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.
Conditions associated with pale menstrual blood
Heavy menstruation Late menstruation Scanty menstruation Irregular menstruation Early menstruation Abnormal uterine bleeding Absence of menstruation Menstrual cramps
Other symptoms often associated with pale menstrual blood
Dizziness Scanty periods Late period Fatigue Palpitations Depression Thin and watery periods Pale face Dark clots in menstrual blood Malar flush