Pre-menstrual breast distention according to Chinese Medicine
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.
Contents
- The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause pre-menstrual breast distention
- Five herbal formulas that might help with pre-menstrual breast distention
- Acupuncture points used for pre-menstrual breast distention
- The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat pre-menstrual breast distention
Pre-menstrual breast distention 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 pre-menstrual breast distention 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 pre-menstrual breast distention is often associated with scanty periods, late period and irritability in the pattern “Qi Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record three patterns that can cause pre-menstrual breast distention.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of pre-menstrual breast distention 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 pre-menstrual breast distention.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause pre-menstrual breast distention
In Chinese Medicine pre-menstrual breast distention is a symptom for 3 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the king ingredient for Xiao Yao San, a formula used for Qi Stagnation
Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Red sides
Qi Stagnation refers to Qi becoming stuck or stagnant, a bit like a traffic jam on the freeway. This restricted flow of Qi can be body-wide or happen in any specific Organ.
In addition to pre-menstrual breast distention, other symptoms associated with Qi Stagnation include scanty periods, late period and irritability.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation.
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
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 pre-menstrual breast distention, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include scanty periods, irritability and 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): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Fire. The Heat is more intense here.
In addition to pre-menstrual breast distention, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire include dizziness, irritability and abdominal pain.
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 Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Mudan Peony Bark - Mu Dan Pi - as a key herb). Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear liver-heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi".
Five herbal formulas that might help with pre-menstrual breast distention
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 pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Stagnation' of which premenstrual breast distension is a symptom.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which premenstrual breast distension is a symptom.
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 pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which premenstrual breast distension is a symptom.
Yue Ju Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes the movement of Qi. Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness).
Why might Yue Ju Wan help with pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which premenstrual breast distension is a symptom.
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 pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire' of which premenstrual breast distension is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for pre-menstrual breast distention
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat pre-menstrual breast distention
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pre-menstrual breast distention as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Xiao Yao San 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.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pre-menstrual breast distention as a symptom, like Di Gu Pi Yin or Dan Zhi 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.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pre-menstrual breast distention as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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.
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pre-menstrual breast distention as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with pre-menstrual breast distention?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat pre-menstrual breast distention as a symptom, like Qing Jing San or Di Gu Pi Yin for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Other symptoms often associated with pre-menstrual breast distention
Scanty periods Dizziness Late period Irritability Pale menstrual blood Palpitations Abdominal pain Depression Early periods Feeling of cold