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Blood Activating and Menstrual Regulation Herbs
PART
01
Dan Shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
Dan Shen is the root of the Lamiaceae plant Salvia miltiorrhiza. It is cut into thick slices and dried. It can be used raw or stir-fried with wine. Harvested in spring and autumn, it is cleaned of soil and dried. The commercial product is long cylindrical, slightly curved, and has fibrous roots. The best quality is characterized by thick strips, purple-red color, and no fibrous roots.
Dan Shen is a commonly used herb in TCM, with a slightly cold nature and a bitter taste. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, alleviating pain, regulating menstruation, and clearing the heart to relieve irritability. It is used for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, scar accumulation, stabbing pain in the chest and abdomen, hot bi syndrome, sore and swollen ulcers, irritability and insomnia, liver and spleen enlargement, and angina. The Compendium of Materia Medica states that it “can break up stagnant blood and replenish new blood.” The Gynecology Theory mentions that “a single herb of Dan Shen has the same effect as the Four Substance Decoction.” It can be used alone in powdered form mixed with wine. This herb is also effective for irritability and confusion due to febrile diseases and for palpitations and insomnia.
Dosage: 5-15g. For blood activating effects, it is recommended to use it stir-fried with wine.
Contraindications: Avoid with Li Lu (Veratrum) and use cautiously in pregnant women.
02
PART
Hong Hua (Carthamus tinctorius)
Hong Hua is the flower of the Asteraceae plant Carthamus tinctorius. It is harvested in summer when the flowers change from yellow to bright red. It is dried in the shade or with gentle heat. Hong Hua is also known as Huang Lan, Hong Lan Hua, Cao Hong Hua, and Hong Hua Cai. This plant is an annual herb in the Asteraceae family. In the Book of Natural History by Zhang Hua from the Jin Dynasty, it is mentioned that the Hong Hua from the Central Plains was “introduced by Zhang Qian from the Western Regions,” indicating its presence along the Silk Road.
This herb has a spicy and warm nature, entering the heart and liver meridians. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, alleviating pain, and regulating menstruation. It is used for blood stasis leading to amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain due to stasis. For dysmenorrhea, it is effective when used alone and cooked with wine. This herb is also effective for chest bi syndrome, heart pain, abdominal pain due to blood stasis, and flank pain. It is used for treating traumatic injuries and can be made into Hong Hua oil or tincture for topical application. Additionally, Hong Hua can be used to suppress lactation and treat headaches, dizziness, stroke sequelae, throat obstruction, and red, swollen eyes.
Today, Xinjiang still produces a large quantity of Hong Hua. The seeds are used for oil extraction, and the flowers are used for medicinal purposes. Hong Hua oil is yellow, fragrant, and clear, making it a premium cooking oil. Regular consumption of Hong Hua oil can prevent atherosclerosis and treat hypertension, stroke, heart failure, and angina.
Dosage: 3-9g.
Related herb: Saffron (Crocus sativus)
This herb is the stigma of the Iridaceae plant Crocus sativus, also known as “Zang Hong Hua” or “Xi Hong Hua.” It has a sweet and slightly cold nature, entering the heart and liver meridians. It cools and disperses blood stasis in the heart and liver.
PART
03
Tao Ren (Prunus persica)
Tao Ren is the dried mature seed of the Rosaceae plant Prunus persica. The fruit is harvested when mature, the flesh and shell are removed, and the seeds are dried. It can be used raw or stir-fried. Tao Ren is oval and flat, with a yellow-brown to red-brown surface covered with granular protrusions. One end is pointed, the middle is swollen, and the other end is blunt and slightly flat, with thin edges. It is rich in oil, with a mild aroma and slightly bitter taste.
This herb has a bitter and sweet taste, is neutral, and has slight toxicity, entering the heart, liver, and large intestine meridians. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, dispelling stasis, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. It can be used to treat amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, abdominal masses, traumatic injuries, and constipation due to dryness in the intestines. Dosage: 5-10g.
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnant women. Use cautiously in those with loose stools. This herb is toxic and should not be used in excess.
04
PART
Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus japonicus)
Yi Mu Cao is the dried aerial parts of the Lamiaceae plant Leonurus japonicus. It is harvested in summer when the stems and leaves are lush and the flowers are not yet open or just beginning to bloom, then dried in the sun or cut into sections and dried. It can be used raw or prepared as a decoction. It has a mild aroma and a slightly bitter taste.
This herb has a bitter and spicy taste, is slightly cold, and enters the liver, heart, and bladder meridians. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, regulating menstruation, and diuresis to reduce swelling. It is used for irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum lochia retention, and edema with reduced urination. For blood stasis leading to amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, and abdominal pain, it can be used alone as a decoction, often combined with Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) and other herbs. This herb can treat urinary difficulties or edema caused by blood stasis (first blood disease, then water disease). It both promotes blood circulation and disperses stasis to relieve pain, and it can clear heat and detoxify to reduce swelling. It is used for traumatic injuries and can be combined with Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) and Dang Gui for use; it can also be used externally for skin infections and rashes, either alone or combined with Huang Bai (Phellodendron) and Pu Gong Ying (Taraxacum) in decoctions for internal use.
Dosage: 9-30g.
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnant women.
PART
05
Niuxi (Achyranthes bidentata)
Niuxi is the root of the Amaranthaceae plants Achyranthes bidentata and Achyranthes aspera. It can be used raw or stir-fried with wine.
This herb has a bitter, sweet, and sour taste, is neutral, and enters the liver and kidney meridians. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, diuresis, tonifying the liver and kidneys, and guiding fire (blood) downward. It is used to treat amenorrhea due to blood stasis, dysmenorrhea, abdominal pain during menstruation, retained placenta, and traumatic pain; it can also relieve lower back and knee pain, lower limb weakness; and headaches, dizziness, tooth pain, oral ulcers, hematemesis, and melena due to heat and yin deficiency. There are two types of Niuxi: Chuan Niuxi and Huai Niuxi. Both can promote blood circulation, regulate menstruation, tonify the liver and kidneys, strengthen bones and muscles, promote diuresis, and guide fire (blood) downward. However, Chuan Niuxi is better for promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, while Huai Niuxi is better for tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening bones and muscles. This herb is a blood-moving herb, with a downward nature, and should be avoided by pregnant women and those with excessive menstruation. Use cautiously in cases of spleen deficiency with diarrhea, and in those with nocturnal emissions or dreams.
Dosage: 6-15g.
For blood activating and menstrual regulating effects, it is best used raw; for tonifying the liver and kidneys and strengthening bones, it is best stir-fried with wine.
06
PART
Tu Jiao Chong (Eupolyphaga sinensis)
This is the whole body of the insect Eupolyphaga sinensis, belonging to the phylum Arthropoda. It is dried in the sun or baked.
This herb is a precious and scarce medicinal edible animal. It is cold in nature, salty in taste, and has slight toxicity, entering the liver, heart, and spleen meridians. It has the effects of breaking blood and dispelling stasis, and reconnecting tendons and bones. It is used for traumatic injuries, tendon injuries, fractures, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain due to stasis, abdominal masses, cerebral thrombosis, and heart disease. Recent medical research has shown that Tu Jiao Chong is effective for sepsis. Additionally, Tu Jiao Chong is a nutritious and delicious dish.
Dosage: 3-10g; powdered for oral use, 1-1.5g taken with yellow wine. For external use, apply an appropriate amount.
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnant women.
PART
07
Xue Jie (Dragon’s Blood)
Xue Jie is the resin that seeps from the fruit and trunk of the palm plant Daemonorops draco. The resin naturally seeps out and solidifies. It is crushed into powder for use. This herb is slightly quadrangular or brick-shaped, with a dark red powdery surface that has a sheen, and is covered with red powder due to friction. It is hard and brittle, with a red broken surface and a brick-red powder. It has a mild aroma and a bland taste. It is insoluble in water and softens in hot water.
This herb has a sweet and salty taste, is neutral, and enters the heart and liver meridians. It has the effects of dispelling stasis and alleviating pain, and stopping bleeding while promoting tissue regeneration. It is used for traumatic swelling and pain, internal injuries with stasis pain; external bleeding that does not stop, carbuncles, and chronic ulcers that do not heal. Internally, it promotes blood circulation, dispels stasis, and alleviates pain; externally, it stops bleeding, promotes tissue regeneration, and is effective for treating carbuncles, boils, and chronic wounds that do not heal, as well as external bleeding. This herb can also treat abdominal blood clots.
Dosage: For internal use, powdered, 1-2g, or in pill form; for external use, powdered for sprinkling or in plasters. Not suitable for those without blood stasis, and should be avoided by pregnant women and during menstruation.
08
PART
E Zhu and San Leng (Curcuma zedoaria and Sparganium stoloniferum)
E Zhu is the rhizome of the Zingiberaceae plant Curcuma zedoaria or Curcuma longa, and San Leng is the tuber of the black bulrush plant Sparganium stoloniferum. Both can be used raw or prepared with vinegar.
E Zhu has a spicy and bitter taste, is warm, and enters the liver and spleen meridians. It has the effect of breaking blood and dispelling accumulations. The conditions treated by both herbs are similar, and they are often used together. However, San Leng is more focused on breaking blood, while E Zhu is more focused on breaking qi. Both can be used for accumulations and abdominal pain caused by qi stagnation and blood stasis, amenorrhea, and abdominal pain. Additionally, both can break blood and dispel stasis while reducing swelling and alleviating pain, and can be used for traumatic injuries and swelling and pain.
Dosage: 3-15g. Prepared with vinegar can enhance the effects of dispelling stasis and alleviating pain. For external use, apply an appropriate amount.
Contraindications: Avoid in pregnant women and those with excessive menstruation.
PART
09
Ban Mao (Mylabris)
Ban Mao is the whole body of the beetle Mylabris phalerata or Mylabris cichorii.
This herb has a spicy and hot nature, is highly toxic, and enters the liver, kidney, and stomach meridians. It has the effects of breaking blood, dispelling stasis, dissipating masses, and detoxifying. It is used for abdominal masses and amenorrhea. This herb is spicy and warming, entering the blood level, and can break blood and regulate menstruation, dissipate masses, and resolve lumps. It has been used in modern times to treat various cancers, especially liver cancer; it is also used for treating carbuncles, ulcers, stubborn skin diseases, and lymphadenopathy. This herb is toxic and should be used with caution externally, as it can cause skin irritation, redness, burning, blistering, and even necrosis, so it should not be used for prolonged periods or over large areas.
Dosage: For internal use, it is often included in pills or powders, 0.03-0.06g; for external use, apply an appropriate amount, powdered for topical application, or soaked in wine or vinegar for application. For internal use, it should be stir-fried with glutinous rice or combined with Qing Dai (Indigo naturalis) and Dan Shen to mitigate its toxicity.
This herb is highly toxic, and internal use should be done with caution, strictly controlling the dosage. It should not be used in weak individuals or pregnant women. Externally, it has a strong irritating effect on the skin and mucous membranes, causing redness, burning, blistering, and even necrosis, so it should not be used for prolonged periods or over large areas.
10
PART
Chuan Shan Jia (Manis pentadactyla)
Chuan Shan Jia is the scales of the pangolin Manis pentadactyla. It can be used raw, or sand-fried until puffed, cleaned, and dried; or stir-fried and then soaked in vinegar for use, crushed before use.
This herb has a salty taste, is slightly cold, and enters the liver and stomach meridians. It has the effects of dispersing blood, regulating menstruation, and promoting lactation, used for abdominal masses and amenorrhea. This herb is good at moving and dispersing, effectively promoting blood circulation and dispelling stasis, and can also resolve masses and regulate menstruation. It is effective for treating postpartum lactation issues. This herb can be used alone in powdered form to treat carbuncles, abscesses, and toxic swellings. It can promote blood circulation and resolve abscesses, reduce swelling and pus, and can help dissipate unformed pus and promote the rapid rupture of formed pus, making it an essential herb for treating abscesses and swelling.
Dosage: 3-10g. Powdered for oral use, 1-1.5g each time.
Contraindications: Use cautiously in pregnant women. Avoid in cases of already ruptured abscesses.