CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Female infertility - luteal phase formula

 

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Regulates menstruation to relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

* Regulates menstruation to prepare for proper shedding of the uterine lining

* Analgesic effect to relieve pain

* Anti-inflammatory effect to relieve inflammation

* Muscle-relaxant effect to relieve spasms and cramps

 

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Regulates Liver qi

* Invigorates blood

 

DOSAGE

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

 

INGREDIENTS

Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba)

Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae)

Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri)

Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae)

Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)

Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)

Fu Ling (Poria)

Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae)

He Huan Pi (Cortex Albiziae)

Ju He (Semen Citri Reticulatae)

Lu Lu Tong (Fructus Liquidambaris)

Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi)

Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri)

Yu Jin (Radix Curcumae)

 

FORMULA EXPLANATION

Blossom (Phase 4) is formulated specifically for phase 4 – the luteal phase, the week before the period. Regulating Liver qi is the most important treatment strategy during this stage. Liver qi stagnation is characterized by irregular menstruation, abdominal bloating, irritability, emotional instability, short temper, and breast distension. This formula is designed to relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS), release tension and stagnation, and prepare the uterus for proper shedding the following week.

        In this formula, Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri) and Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) smooth the Liver qi and disperse qi stagnation. He Huan Pi (Cortex Albiziae) relieves Liver qi stagnation and reduces anxiety and irritability associated with PMS. Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) tonifies blood and relieves pain. Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) nourishes the blood to soften the Liver to relieve distension and pain. Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) and Fu Ling (Poria) tonify the Spleen and dispel dampness to facilitate the transportation and transformation of nutrients. Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae) supplements qi and helps Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) soften the Liver to relieve pain.

        Yu Jin (Radix Curcumae), Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Lu Lu Tong (Fructus Liquidambaris) and Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri) move blood and break blood stasis in the lower jiao to ensure proper shedding of the endometrial lining during the period. Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae) and Ju He (Semen Citri Reticulatae) are channel-guiding herbs that help direct the effect of the herbs to the lower jiao.

 

CAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS

* Do not take this formula while trying to conceive. Also, it should be discontinued when the patient finds out she is 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]

 

CLINICAL NOTES

* If the patient does not have Liver qi stagnation, she does not need to take Blossom (Phase 4) and can take Blossom (Phase 2) and Blossom (Phase 3) for more days instead.

 

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 (absent): 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 4) is formulated specifically for phase 4 – luteal phase, the week before the period. This formula uses herbs to regulate menstruation to relieve premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and prepare for proper shedding. Furthermore, it incorporates additional herbs with analgesic effects to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory effects to relieve inflammation, and spasmolytic effects to relieve spasms and cramps.

        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] Furthermore, use of Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) in essential oil form was effective in relieving menstrual pain with a 76.79% rate of effectiveness among 112 patients.[5] The mechanism of this action is attributed in part to the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the herb, which has been cited to be similar to or stronger than acetylsalicylic acid.[6]

        Blossom (Phase 4) contains many herbs to address premenstrual syndrome (PMS) with analgesic effects to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory effects to relieve inflammation, and muscle-relaxant effects to relieve spasms and cramps. Herbs with an analgesic effect to relieve pain include Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi),[7] Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae),[8] Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri),[9] and Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba).[10] Herbs with an anti-inflammatory effect to reduce swelling and inflammation include Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae),[11] Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri),[12] and Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba).[13] Lastly, herbs with a muscle-relaxant effect to relieve spasms and cramps include Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) and Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae).[14],[15] In addition, Fu Ling (Poria) is added for its mild sedative effect to relieve the general pain and discomfort associated with PMS.[16] Lastly, Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri) has been used specifically to treat irregular menstruation and hypermenorrhea.[17]

        Furthermore, this formula uses many herbs to treat menstruation-related complications. For example, Fu Ling (Poria) and Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) have diuretic effects, and are used to drain water accumulation and treat edema.[18]^,[19],[20] Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri) and Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae) have antiplatelet effects, and are used to prevent clotting and pain before and during menstruation.[21],[22]

        Lastly, Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri) has a stimulating effect, while Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi) has an inhibiting effect, on the uterus. The regulatory effects of these two herbs ensure proper and smooth transition throughout changes in the menstrual cycle.[23],[24]

        In short, this is a great formula to conclude the four phases of menstruation and promote fertility. It regulates menstruation to relieve premenstrual syndrome and prepare for proper shedding. Furthermore, it incorporates additional herbs with analgesic effects to relieve pain, anti-inflammatory effects to relieve inflammation, and muscle-relaxant effects to relieve spasms and cramps.