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.
Scanty periods 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 scanty periods 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 scanty periods is often associated with dizziness, depression and late period in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause scanty periods.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of scanty periods 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 scanty periods.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause scanty periods
In Chinese Medicine scanty periods 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.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm
Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Thick coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
The concept of Phlegm is much wider and important in Chinese Medicine than in the West. Broadly speaking, Phlegm is a substance produced when the body fails to handle Body Fluids properly.
In addition to scanty periods, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include dizziness, depression and late period.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Phlegm is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Phlegm is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
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 scanty periods, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and insomnia.
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".
Cinnamon Twigs (Gui Zhi) is the king ingredient for Wen Jing Tang, a formula used for Cold in the Uterus
Cold in the Uterus
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Pale
There are two types of cold patterns: Full Cold or Empty Cold. Full cold refers to actual Cold Evil invading the Uterus and Dampness Stagnation often come along with this Full pattern. Empty cold is the result of Yang Deficiency, especially the Spleen and Kidney Yang.
In addition to scanty periods, other symptoms associated with Cold in the Uterus include dark clots in menstrual blood, late period and sore back.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Cold in the Uterus is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Late Menstruation.
Cold in the Uterus is often treated with Wen Jing Tang, a herbal formula made of 12 herbs (including Cinnamon Twigs - Gui Zhi - as a key herb). Wen 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: "Warms the Uterus and vessels".
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Blood Stagnation
Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian), Firm (Lao)
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 scanty periods, other symptoms associated with Blood Stagnation include dark clots in menstrual blood, abdominal pain and restlessness.
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".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Floating (Fu)
Tongue coating: Complete absence of coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to scanty periods, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency include dizziness, blurred vision and sore back.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps.
Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency is often treated with Tiao Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Dong Quai - Dang Gui - as a key herb). Tiao Gan Tang 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 Kidney and Liver Yin".
Five herbal formulas that might help with scanty periods
Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1575 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Resolves Damp-Phlegm. Nourishes Blood.
Why might Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang help with scanty periods?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which scanty periods is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
Tiao Gan Tang
Why might Tiao Gan Tang help with scanty periods?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency' of which scanty periods is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Liver Blood and Kidney Yin Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
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 scanty periods?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which scanty periods is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
Da Ying Jian
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi and Blood. Expels Cold.
Why might Da Ying Jian help with scanty periods?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold in the Uterus' of which scanty periods is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Cold in the Uterus can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with scanty periods?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation' of which scanty periods is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat scanty periods
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with scanty periods?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat scanty periods as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Tiao Gan 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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with scanty periods?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat scanty periods as a symptom, like Gui Pi Tang or Da Ying Jian 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 Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di Huang) help with scanty periods?
Because Prepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat scanty periods as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Da Bu Yuan Jian 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with scanty periods?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat scanty periods as a symptom, like Si Wu Tang or Ren Shen Yang Rong Tang for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with scanty periods?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat scanty periods as a symptom, like Wen Qi Hua Shi Tang or Ren Shen Zi Xie 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 scanty periods
Late menstruation Scanty menstruation Menstrual cramps Irregular menstruation Early menstruation Abnormal uterine bleeding Prolonged periods
Other symptoms often associated with scanty periods
Dizziness Blurred vision Dark clots in menstrual blood Insomnia Depression Late period Pale menstrual blood Sore back Pale face Malar flush