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.
Sticky 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 sticky 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 sticky menstrual blood is often associated with late period, scanty periods and dizziness in the pattern “Phlegm”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of sticky menstrual blood we’ve identified two 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 sticky menstrual blood.
Phlegm, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause sticky menstrual blood
In Chinese Medicine sticky menstrual blood is a symptom for the pattern "Phlegm". Below is a small explanation for it 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 sticky menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include late period, scanty periods and dizziness.
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".
Two herbal formulas that might help with sticky menstrual blood
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1675 AD
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi. Removes Dampness. Moves Qi. Alleviates pain.
Why might Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang help with sticky menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which sticky menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
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 sticky menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which sticky menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat sticky menstrual blood
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with sticky menstrual blood?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sticky menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang or Xiong Gui Er Chen 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.
Why might Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with sticky menstrual blood?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sticky menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with sticky menstrual blood?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sticky menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Tangerine Peel (Chen Pi) help with sticky menstrual blood?
Because Tangerine Peel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sticky menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang for instance.
Tangerine Peel is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Spleen and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Warms the Spleen and regulates the Middle Burner Qi. Dries Dampness and disperses Phlegm from the Lungs and Middle Burner. Reduces the potential for Stagnation caused by tonifying herbs.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with sticky menstrual blood?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat sticky menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang or Xiong Gui Er Chen 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.
Conditions associated with sticky menstrual blood
Other symptoms often associated with sticky menstrual blood
Late period Scanty periods Dizziness Pale menstrual blood Palpitations Lower abdominal pain Pale face Pale complexion Pale lips Blurred vision