abstracted & translated by
Bob Flaws, L.Ac., FNAAOM (USA), FRCHM (UK)

This protocol from 1988 aims at regulating the female hormones during different stages of the menstrual cycle, to stimulate ovulation, and promote fertility. In this protocol, there is a different set of therapeutic principles and formula for each of the four phases.

Phase I, postmenstruation, proliferative phase, days 4-10

During this phase, the follicles develop, estrogen gradually increases, and the endometrial lining begins to proliferate. In terms of Chinese medical theory, yin is growing and blood is being replaced.

Therapeutic principles: Supplement the kidneys, store essence, and enrich yin

Rx: Follicle-stimulating Formula

Placenta Hominis (Zi He Che)
Rhizoma Curculiginis (Xian Mao)
Herba Epimedii (Xian Ling Pi)
Semen Cuscutae (Tu Si Zi)
Radix Dioscoreae (Shan Yao)
Radix Polygoni Multiflori (He Shou Wu)
Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui)
Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (Nu Zhen Zi)
Radix Dipsaci (Xu Duan)
cooked Radix Rehmanniae (Shu Di)
Fructus Lycii (Gou Qi)

Phase II, midcyle, ovulation, days 11-14

During this phase, the follicles reach maturation. The secretion of estrogen reaches its peak and this stimulates the pituitary to secrete large amounts of lh. This induces the mature follicle to rupture and complete ovulation. In terms of Chinese medical theory, yin which is replete transforms into yang. As Xu states, "This concept is the key to inducing (an) artificially (normal) menstrual cycle through the use of Ovulation-stimulating Formula."

Therapeutic principles: Supplement the kidneys and stimulate ovulation

Rx: Ovulation-stimulating Formula

Rhizoma Curculiginis (Xian Mao)
Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong)
Herba Lycopi (Ze Lan)
Herba Epimedii (Xian Ling Pi)
Semen Leonuri (Chong Wei Zi)
Radix Achyranthis (Niu Xi)
Radix Rubra Paeoniae (Chi Shao)
Flos Carthami (Hong Hua)
Fructus Liquidambaris (Lu Lu Tong)
Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui)
Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiang Fu)
Semen Vaccariae (Wang Bu Liu Xing)

Phase III, premenstruum, secretion phase, days 14-28

This phase runs from ovulation to the onset of the period. During this time, the corpus luteum reaches maturity. It maintains progesterone production until degeneration and this progesterone increases the endometrial thickening. In terms of Chinese medical theory, during this phase yin is full and yang is growing, the uterus is warm and is waiting for conception.

Therapeutic principles: Supplement the kidneys and warm yang, boost the qi and nourish the blood

Rx: Corpus Luteum-stimulating Formula

cooked Radix Rehmanniae (Shu Di)
Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui)
Radix Dioscoreae (Shan Yao)
Herba Epimedii (Xian Ling Pi)
Herba Cistanchis (Rou Cong Rong)
Radix Codonopsis (Dang Shen)
Rhizoma Curculiginis (Xian Mao)
Semen Cuscutae (Tu Si Zi)
Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gan Cao)
Cortex Cinnamomi (Rou Gui)
Fructus Rubi (Fu Pen Zi)

Phase IV, menstruation, days 1-4

This phase corresponds to the onset of menstruation. The endometrial lining is sloughed and there is a bloody discharge from the vagina. Attending this there is a rapid drop in female hormones, both estrogen and progesterone. Chinese medical theory explains this thus: Yang becomes heavy and strong and is transformed into yin. This is based on the I Ching (Classic of Changes) concept that yang when extreme transforms into yin. The sea of blood becomes full. In response to plummeting kidney yang which has been transformed into yin and a consequent relative vacuity of kidney qi to astringe the lower yin or vaginal meatus, blood is thence discharged in the form of the menstrual flow. This corresponds to the drop in bbt the day before the onset of menstrua­tion.

Therapeutic principles: (If the menses is not normal, meaning in this case that there is dysmenorrhea) move the qi and quicken the blood

Rx: Menstruation-regulating Formula

Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Dang Gui)
Semen Persicae (Tao Ren)
Herba Lycopi (Ze Lan)
Radix Rubra Paeoniae (Chi Shao)
Flos Carthami (Hong Hua)
Radix Achyranthis (Niu Xi)
Rhizoma Chuanxiong (Chuan Xiong)
Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiang Fu)
Herba Leonuri (Yi Mu Cao)
cooked Radix Rehmanniae (Shu Di)
Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride (Qing Pi)
Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chen Pi)

All the above formulas are to be modified according to the presenting signs and symptoms of each patient. No success rates are given by Tang.

Copyright © Blue Poppy Press, 2008. All rights reserved.

[1]Xu Jiang-sheng, "Understanding the Methods of Regulating the Menstrual Cycle Using Chinese Medicine," Shang Hai Zhong Yi Yao Za Zhi (Shanghai Journal of Chinese Medicine & Pharmacology), No. 3, 1988, p. 10-12