Ding Gan-ren’s Three Methods of Regulating Menstruation

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

Keywords: Chinese medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, gynecology, Ding Gan-ren

Ding Gan-ren was Shanghai’s most famous Chinese medical practitioner at the turn of the 20^th century. Ding lived from 1864 or ‘66 to 1926. During his life, he founded the Shangahi Technical College of Chinese Medicine, the Women’s Institute of Chinese Medicine, and the Guangyi Hospital of Chinese Medicine. He was a member of the Shanghai Chinese Medicine Society, and, until the establishment of the Republic, he was a royal physician to the Qing dynasty. On page 10 of issue #8, 1995 of Si Chuan Zhong Yi (Sichuan Chinese Medicine), Tao Xi-an and Tao Xiao-ping published an article titled “Ding Gan-ren’s Three Methods for Regulating Menstruation.” A summary of that article is presented below. Unfortunately, the authors do not say where they took this information from. My assumption is that these three methods are based on Master Ding’s case histories which were collected by his students posthumously.

1. The method of harmonizing the constructive & regulating menstruation

whole Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), 15g (stir-fried in alcohol)
Qing Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae & Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride)
Hang(zhou) Bai Shao (Radix Alba Paeoniae)
processed Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi)
purple Dan Shen (Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae)
Yun(nan) Fu Ling (Poria)
Ze Lan Ye (Folium Lycopi Lucidi)
Chong Wei Zi (Semen Leonuri), 10g each
Sha Ren Qiao (Fructus Amomi)
western Hong Hua (Flos Carthami), 5g each
Yue Li Hua (Flos Rosae Chinensis), 6g
One packet per day, decocted in water and taken internally.

The harmonizing the constructive and regulating menstruation method mainly treats delayed menstruation which is scanty in amount, purplish black in color, and mixed with congealed clots. The facial complexion is dark and purplish, and there is lower abdominal distention and pain which refuses pressure. After the blood clots are precipitated, the pain greatly decreases. The tongue is dark and blackish, and the pulse is deep and choppy. The disease mechanisms (of this condition) are static blood obstructing and stagnating resulting in disharmony of the constructive qi and lack of regulation of the menstrual blood. Within the (above) formula, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, and Dan Shen harmonize the constructive and supplement the blood. Hong Hua, Ze Lan, Yue Li (Hua), and Chong Wei Zi quicken the blood and move stasis in order to regulate menstruation. Xiang Fu, Sha Ren, and Qing and Chen Pi disinhibit the qi and course stagnation. Fu Ling transforms dampness and fortifies the spleen.

2. The method of nourishing the blood & warming the channels (or menses)

Dang Gui body (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), 20g (stir-fried in alcohol)
large Shu Di (cooked Radix Rehmanniae)
processed Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi)
Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)
clear E Jiao (Gelatinum Corii Asini) (melted, mixed [with the decocted liquid], and taken)
Du Zhong (Cortex Eucommiae)
Hang(zhou) Bai Shao (Radix Alba Paeoniae) (stir-fried in alcohol)
Chuan Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci)
Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri)
Yun(nan) Fu Ling (Poria)
Ju He (Folium Citri Reticulatae), 10g each
Ai Ye (Folium Artemisiae Argyii), 5g
One packet per day, decocted in water and administered internally.

The method of nourishing the blood and warming the channels is suitable for treating delayed menstruation whose amount is scanty but color is pale. The facial complexion is somber white, and there is a liking for warmth and a fear of cold. There is also low back pain, clear chilling of the four extremities, pale lips, white tongue fur, and a deep, forceless pulse. The disease mechanisms here are qi and blood debility and scantiness and the (qi) mechanism’s ability is devitalized. Thus movement lacks strength or power. This formula uses Si Wu Tang (Four Materials Decoction) to nourish the blood and harmonize the constructive. (E) Jiao and Ai (Ye) warm the channels. Du Zhong supplements the kidneys and stops low back aching and pain. Yi Mu Cao and processed Xiang Fu quicken the blood and transform stasis. Fu Ling fortifies the spleen and disinhibits dampness.

3. The method of nourishing the constructive & clearing heat 

Dang Gui body (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Sheng Di (uncooked Radix Rehmanniae), 15g each
Xue Yu Tan (Crinis Carbonisatus)
Bai Shao (Radix Alba Paeoniae)
Yun(nan) Fu Ling (Poria), 10g each
stir-fried Jing Jie (Herba Schizonepetae)
Chen Pi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), 5g each
Bai Wei (Radix Cynanchi Atrati)
stir-fried Tiao Qin (Radix Scutellariae)
stir-fried Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan), 6g each
Ou Jie (Nodus Rhizomatis Nelumbinis), 5 pieces
One packet per day, decocted in water and administered internally.

The method of nourishing the constructive and clearing heat is suitable for early menstruation. (In this case,) the amount of menstruate is profuse and its color is dark red or purplish black. Its consistency is thick and it sometimes contains blood clots. Its qi odor is foul. The facial complexion is red, the lips are red and dry or parched. There is heart vexation, easy anger, a liking for chilled (things) and a fear of heat, constipation, reddish urine, a red tongue with yellow fur, and a surging, replete or slippery, rapid pulse. The mechanism here is heat congesting in the blood forcing the blood to move frenetically. Hence the menstruation is ahead of schedule. Within this formula, Dang Gui, Sheng Di, Dan Pi, Bai Wei, Huang Qin, and Bai Shao cool the blood and nourish the constructive. Xue Yu Tan, carbonized Jing Jie, and Ou Jie stop bleeding in order to reduce the volume of the blood. Chen Pi disinhibits the qi and moves stagnation, while Fu Ling fortifies the spleen and transforms dampness.

Discussion:  

According to Drs. Tao and Tao, if menstruation was early, Master Ding mainly cleared heat. If the amount of menstruation was excessive, Master Ding mainly supplemented the qi and nourished the blood. If there was stasis and stagnation, Master Ding first moved stasis and dispelled stagnation. In sum, Master Ding believed that by regulating and harmonizing the qi and blood, leveling yin and secreting yang, the menses were automatically regulated. So why worry about a lack of cure for these diseases? The characteristics of these three methods of using medicinals is that they are quite clever and adaptable, the combinations are well or tightly knit, and the medicinals and the patterns mutually agree.

Copyright © Blue Poppy Press, 2007. All rights reserved.