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.
Trickling blood after period 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 trickling blood after period 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 trickling blood after period is often associated with thin and watery periods, restlessness and malar flush in the pattern “Heat in the Blood”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause trickling blood after period.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of trickling blood after period we’ve identified three 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 trickling blood after period.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause trickling blood after period
In Chinese Medicine trickling blood after period is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them 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 trickling blood after period, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include thin and watery periods, restlessness and malar flush.
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".
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 trickling blood after period, other symptoms associated with Kidney Deficiency include thin and watery periods, restlessness and malar flush.
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".
Three herbal formulas that might help with trickling blood after period
Qing Jing San
Why might Qing Jing San help with trickling blood after period?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which trickling blood after period 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 trickling blood after period?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Kidney Deficiency' of which trickling blood after period is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Kidney Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
Di Gu Pi Yin
Why might Di Gu Pi Yin help with trickling blood after period?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which trickling blood after period is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heat in the Blood can contribute to many health issues, including Abnormal Uterine Bleeding.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat trickling blood after period
Why might Goji Tree Root Bark (Di Gu Pi) help with trickling blood after period?
Because Goji Tree Root Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat trickling blood after period as a symptom, like Qing Jing San or Di Gu Pi Yin for instance.
Goji Tree Root Bark is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Kidney, the Liver and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Clears Yin Deficient Heat;. Clears Lung Heat and stops cough. Cools the Blood when there is reckless movement of Blood. Drains Fire when Kidney Water is unable to control Fire.
Why might Unprepared Rehmannia (Di Huang) help with trickling blood after period?
Because Unprepared Rehmannia is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat trickling blood after period as a symptom, like Liang Di Tang or Di Gu Pi Yin 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 Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with trickling blood after period?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat trickling blood after period as a symptom, like Di Gu Pi Yin or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang 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 Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with trickling blood after period?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat trickling blood after period 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.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with trickling blood after period?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat trickling blood after period as a symptom, like Qing Jing San or Liang Di Tang 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.
Conditions associated with trickling blood after period
Other symptoms often associated with trickling blood after period
Thin and watery periods Restlessness Malar flush Dizziness Cold limbs Weak knees Flooding suddenly before schedule Red face Feeling of heat Dark Urine