CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Female infertility - follicular phase formula

 

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Regulatory effect to promote normal menstruation

* Hematopoietic effect to promote the production of white and red blood cells

* Adaptogenic effect to address emotional and physical stress associated with menstruation

 

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Nourishes blood

* Tonifies Kidney yin

* Replenishes Kidney jing (essence)

 

DOSAGE

Take 4 to 6 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach. Discontinue use when the patient becomes pregnant.

 

INGREDIENTS

Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)

Chong Wei Zi (Fructus Leonuri)

Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)

Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)

E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini)

Fu Ling (Poria)

Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii)

Lu Jiao Shuang (Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum)

Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan)

Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae)

Nu Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi)

Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae)

Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni)

Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata)

Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae)

Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis)

Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis)

 

FORMULA EXPLANATION

Blossom (Phase 2) is designed to be used during phase 2 - follicular phase, the week after finishing menstruation. This formula contains herbs that tonify blood, nourish yin, and replenish jing (essence). Mild qi and blood-moving herbs are also used to prevent stagnation as a result of the rich tonics.

        In this formula, Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) and E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) are among the most effective blood-tonifying herbs to replenish what was lost through menstruation. Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Fu Ling (Poria) and Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) are used to strengthen the Spleen. A healthy Spleen is essential in the production of blood and extraction of post-natal qi from food. Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni), Nu Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi) and Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) nourish the Kidney yin and jing (essence). Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae) and Lu Jiao Shuang (Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum) are two mild yang-tonic herbs to support the Kidney yang. Without yang tonics, yin tonics cannot achieve their maximum effect. Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) is an astringent herb added to consolidate, bind and prevent the leakage of jing (essence). Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) is used to offset the stagnating nature of Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata). Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) and Chong Wei Zi (Fructus Leonuri) are mild blood-moving herbs used to ensure that the tonics do not become stagnant. Finally, Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae) guides the effect of the herbs to the lower jiao, namely the Kidney.

        In short, this formula successfully tonifies the body to ensure healthy conception by using herbs that supplement the Kidney yin, jing (essence), and blood.

 

CAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS

* This formula should be discontinued when the patient becomes pregnant.

* This herbal formula contains herbs that invigorate blood circulation, such as Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis). Therefore, patients who are on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies, such as Coumadin (warfarin), should use this formula with caution, or not at all, as there may be a higher risk of bleeding and bruising.[1]^,[2],[3]

 

ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT

Traditional Points:

* Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC 6)

 

Classic Master Tung's Points:

* Infertility: Fuke (T 11.24), Huanchao (T 11.06), Tongshen (T 88.09), Tongbei (T 88.11), Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21), Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Mufu (T 88.38)*, Tianhuang (T 88.13), Minghuang (T 88.12), Qihuang (T 88.14). Moxa the lower abdomen for at least 30 minutes each day.

* Menstruation (excess amount): Fuke (T 11.24), Xinling (T 33.17)*, Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21)

* Menstruation (scanty amount): Fuke (T 11.24), Wanshunyi (T 22.08), Wanshuner (T 22.09), Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21), Tianhuang (T 88.13), Minghuang (T 88.12), Qihuang (T 88.14)

* Menstruation (delayed): Linggu (T 22.05), Renhuang (T 77.21), Sihuashang (T 77.08), Menjin (T 66.05). Moxa the sacral area.

* Menstruation (absence): Fuke (T 11.24), Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21), Tianhuang (T 88.13), Minghuang (T 88.12), Qihuang (T 88.14)

* Menstruation (flooding and spotting): Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Liuwan (T 66.08), Yinbai (SP 1), Renhuang (T 77.21), Dihuang (T 77.19)

 

Master Tung’s Points by Dr. Chuan-Min Wang:

* Infertility: Huanchao (T 11.06), Fuke (T 11.24), Tongshen (T 88.09)

 

Balance Method by Dr. Richard Tan:

* Left side: Hegu (LI 4), Linggu (T 22.05), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Lougu (SP 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6)

* Right side: Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7), Tongli (HT 5), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40)

* Alternate sides from treatment to treatment.

 

Auricular Medicine by Dr. Li-Chun Huang:

* Infertility: Uterus, Kidney, Liver, Endocrine, Lower Jiao, Ovary, Gonadotropin, Thalamus, Pituitary

* Irregular menstruation: Pituitary, Endocrine, Ovary, Uterus, Kidney, Liver, Lower Jiao, Gonadotropin

* Hypomenorrhea and amenorrhea: Uterus, Ovary, Exciting, Pituitary, Endocrine, Kidney, Liver, Sympathetic, Gonadotropin, Coronary Vascular Subcortex, Nervous Subcortex

* Excessive menstruation or bleeding in between periods: Uterus, Spleen, Diaphragm, Endocrine, Pituitary, Liver, Kidney, Ovary, Adrenal Gland

 

NUTRITION

The Tao of Nutrition by Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease:

* Make a fertility-enhancing trail mix consisting of equal parts of dried cranberries, walnuts, sesame seeds, longan fruits, and cashews.

 

PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH

Blossom (Phase 2) is formulated with herbs that have marked influence to facilitate and restore normal health and well-being after menstruation. This formula contains herbs with regulatory effects to promote normal menstruation, hematological effects to promote the production of white and red blood cells, and adaptogenic effects to address mental and physical stresses associated with menstruation.

        According to several studies, administration of Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) is associated with both stimulating and inhibiting effects on the uterus, thereby exhibiting an overall regulatory effect on menstruation.[4] Because of this regulatory effect, Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) is beneficial and can be used before, during, and after menstruation.

        Since most women have pronounced weakness and deficiencies after their menstruation during the follicular phase, many herbs in this formula promote the production of the various types of blood cells. According to one study, Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) has a marked hematopoietic effect to increase the production of red blood cells and white blood cells.[5] According to another study, administration of E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini) is associated with a marked hematopoietic effect to increase the production of red blood cells and white blood cells,[6] and its use has been shown to effectively treat leukopenia and anemia.[7] Furthermore, Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) has an immunostimulant effect by increasing the activity of macrophages and the reticuloendothelial system, and it also increases the number of white blood cells, lymphocytes, and IgG.[8],[9] Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) has an immunostimulant effect to heighten non-specific immunity.[10] Lastly, Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) has an immunostimulant effect to increase non-specific immunity, the phagocytic activity of macrophages, and the total number of T cells.[11]

        As stated above, Blossom (Phase 2) contains herbs with an adaptogenic effect to help the body cope with mental and physical stress during and after menstruation. Examples of herbs with such effect include Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) and Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae).[12]^,[13] In addition, Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae) has a stimulating effect on the gastrointestinal tract to promote normal digestion and absorption of nutrients.[14] Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong) and Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan) stimulate blood circulation and promote delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to various parts of the body.[15]^,[16] Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis) stimulates the central nervous system and increases mental alertness, improves work efficiency, and quickens reflexes.[17] Fu Ling (Poria) and Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis) have diuretic effects, and treat edema frequently associated with menstruation.[18]^,[19]

        In short, Blossom (Phase 2) is an excellent formula to facilitate and restore normal health and well-being after menstruation. This formula contains herbs with regulatory effects to promote normal menstruation, hematopoietic effects to promote the production of white and red blood cells, and adaptogenic effects to address mental and physical stresses associated with menstruation.