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 late period in the pattern “Phlegm”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause thick menstrual blood.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of thick menstrual blood we’ve identified four 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 thick menstrual blood.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause thick menstrual blood
In Chinese Medicine thick menstrual blood is a symptom for 4 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 thick menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Phlegm include scanty periods, dizziness 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".
Korean Mint (Huo Xiang) is the king ingredient for Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru)
In addition to thick menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include dizziness, late period and restlessness.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, a herbal formula made of 11 herbs (including Korean Mint - Huo Xiang - as a key herb). Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Releases the Exterior".
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, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
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".
The Kidneys is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Kidneys in Chinese Medicine
Kidney Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Empty (Xu), Weak (Ruo), Floating (Fu)
Tongue color: Pale, Red
In addition to thick menstrual blood, other symptoms associated with Kidney Deficiency include dizziness, late period and thin and watery periods.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Kidney Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Kidney Deficiency is often treated with You Gui Wan, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Prepared Aconite - Zhi Fu Zi - as a key herb). You Gui Wan belongs to the category of "formulas that warm yang and tonify", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies Kidney Yang".
Four herbal formulas that might help with thick menstrual blood
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 thick menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm' of which thick menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Phlegm can contribute to many health issues, including Late Menstruation.
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 thick menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which thick menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Qing Jing San
Why might Qing Jing San 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.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heat in the Blood can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Liang Di Tang
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes Yin. Cools Blood. Stop bleeding.
Why might Liang Di Tang help with thick menstrual blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Deficiency' of which thick menstrual blood is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 thick menstrual blood
Menstrual cramps Abnormal uterine bleeding Heavy menstruation Late menstruation
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