Thick menstrual blood 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.
Thick 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 thick 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 thick menstrual blood is often associated with scanty periods, dizziness and thin and watery periods in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of thick menstrual blood we’ve identified that a herbal formula called Gu Jing Wan can help treat the patterns behind the symptom.
Heat in the Blood, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause thick menstrual blood
In Chinese Medicine thick menstrual blood is a symptom for the pattern "Heat in the Blood". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to thick menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include scanty periods, dizziness and thin and watery periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
A herbal formula that might help with thick menstrual blood
Gu Jing Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin . Clears Heat. Stops bleeding. Stabilizes the menses.
Why might Gu Jing Wan help with thick menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which thick menstrual blood is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat thick menstrual blood
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with thick menstrual blood?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiong Gui Er Chen Tang or 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 White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with thick menstrual blood?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Qing Jing 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 Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with thick menstrual blood?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick menstrual blood as a symptom, like Liang Di Tang or Qing Re Tiao Xue Tang for instance.
Unprepared Rehmannia is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat by Cooling Blood. Tonifies Yin by promoting Fluid production. Soothes the Heart by calming Blazing Fire. Cools and nourishes.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with thick menstrual blood?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang or 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 Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with thick menstrual blood?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat thick menstrual blood as a symptom, like Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Other symptoms often associated with thick menstrual blood
Scanty periods Dizziness Late period Thin and watery periods Restlessness Sore back Dark clots in menstrual blood Lower abdominal pain Feeling of heat Palpitations