逍遥丸 / Xiao Yao Wan
Treats the following symptoms:
ABSENCE OF MENSTRUATION (AMENORRHOEA)
Typical symptoms:
absence of Menstruation (amenorrhoea)Disease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Amenorrhoea is a reflection of the overall dysfunction of the body. It involves the functions of the organs and the prosperity and weakness of Chong Ren Qi. There are many types of complex syndromes. But it can be summarized as Deficiency and Excess. Those with Deficiency are mostly due to lack of Liver and Kidney, Deficiency of Essence and Blood; or due to Weakness of Qi and Blood, and Blood Empty of the uterus.
An Excess pattern, mostly due to Stagnation of Qi and Blood Stasis, Phlegm and Dampness, blockades Chong and Ren, therefore menstrual blood can’t go down and causes amenorrhoea.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Qi, Blood and Kidney Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Qi and Blood Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp Retention
Recommended formulas to use:
DEPRESSION
Disease description:
Everyone knows a phase in life when you are sad and can’t be happy about anything. Certain signs indicate that it is a serious mental illness, a depression, and not only a temporary phase: a depressed mood, suffer from loss of interest and joylessness, exhaustion and lacking in drive, persist over a longer period. They affect central life functions and can lead to sleep disorders, concentration problems, loss of appetite and libido and can even develop into physical symptoms such as pain, stomach pressure or headaches.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine believes that the occurrence of depression is mainly a Liver dysfunction which affects the Heart, Spleen, Kidney and other organs. It leads to Stagnation and reversal of Qi, retention of endogenous Phlegm, Blood Stasis and Shen disturbance.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Liver Qi Stagnation can disturb Spleen function and generate Phlegm or it can generate Heat or Blood Stagnation. It can lead to irritability, lack of social interest, breast distension, poor appetite.
Main Formula: Merry Life Formula
or Relaxed Wanderer if additionally, symptoms like increased irritability, red face, restlessness and dry mouth occur, which is a pattern of Liver Heat.
or Smooth Liver if stress related rib-side pain or stomach pain
Recommended formulas to use:
Phlegm Retention
Phlegm blocks the flow of Qi and disturbs Heart Shen, causing: depression, lack of social interest, significant changes in appetite and/or bodyweight, chest oppression, feeling of a lump in the throat, brain fog can occur.
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation and Kidney Yang Deficiency (often seen in old patients)
Liver Qi Stagnation and Kidney Yang Deficiency are leading to: depression, extreme tiredness, lack of social interest, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, back pain, cold feeling.
Combine Tonic Yang with either Merry Life or Smooth Liver
Recommended formulas to use:
IMPOTENCE, LOW LIBIDO, MALE INFERTILITY
Disease description:
In men, testosterone deficiency reduces libido and penile sensitivity. Chronic diseases such as chronic kidney failure, cirrhosis of the liver, alcoholism, hypothyroidism, etc. can reduce the sexual desire in men, as well as depression and other psychological causes.
Erectile Dysfunction (impotence) means that the penis becomes flaccid again after a short time or does not become stiff at all during an erection. Although sexual desire is often still present, satisfying sex is often no longer possible. Men of all ages can be affected, but potency problems increase with age. With increasing age, the probability increases that organic causes are the trigger of impotence. Next to diseases like diabetes or vascular problems, there can be psychological causes. If the erection fails once or only occasionally, reasons for this can be stress or tiredness.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine believes that the Kidney is the most important for sexual function, followed by the Heart and Liver. The Essence stored in the Kidney is the material basis of sexual function and the original substance that promotes sexual development and maintains sexual function. Kidney Essence is transformed into Kidney Qi under the steaming effect of KidneyYang. Kidney Qi has the effect of warming and invigorating the genitals to complete the excitement and sexual intercourse of the genitals.
The Heart dominates the mental consciousness of the human body. Although sexual function is rooted in the Kidney, it starts in the Heart.
The Liver Meridian is wrapped around the penis. Furthermore, the Liver smoothes emotions and ensures flow of energy, so Liver function and sexual function are closely related.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Qi and Yang Deficiency
As the basis of sexual desire and sexual mechanics, Kidney Qi and Yang Deficiency can lead to low libido, inability to obtain and sustain an erection, aversion to cold, urinary frequency, a weak, cold, sore lower back.
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Qi and Essence Deficiency
Low sperm motility and sperm count
Recommended formulas to use:
Damp Heat (not very common pattern)
Recommended formulas to use:
INFERTILITY
Disease description:
If a woman does not become pregnant for at least a year, despite the desire for children and unprotected sexual intercourse, medicine uses the term infertility. The causes of infertility are various. Because becoming pregnant is influenced by several factors, a disturbance to a single factor can lead to sterility in a woman. The most common reasons for infertility are either from disturbances in the interplay of hormones, the lifestyle one lives or organic diseases. For example, male hormones are produced in the fatty tissue of the female body, being overweight can thus lead to an imbalance of hormones. The consumption of alcohol, nicotine and drugs can harm fertility. Organic causes include adhesions and knots, myomas and endometriosis.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine believes that the mechanism of conception is depending on a strong Kidney Qi, sufficient Blood and Essence and a smooth flow of Ren and Chong Meridians for the monthly period to be on schedule and the good connection of the two Essences (sperm and egg) to conceive. With genetic insufficiency, injury from emotions, life imbalance or External Pathogens, the organs can become dysfunctional and Qi and Blood become disharmonized. They won’t be able to lead to pregnancy in the female body. The pathogenesis is mainly manifested in Kidney Deficiency, Liver Depression, Phlegm Dampness, Blood Stasis and Blood Deficiency.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Treatment Plan (for 2-3 Months)
Step 1: During Period (clearing up stagnation and letting the blood flow)
Angelic Four + Expel Uterus Stagnation
Step 2: After Period (preparing and strengthening the body for ovulation)
Angelic Four + Nourish Root Yin
Step 3: Ovulation Time (increasing blood flow)
Angelic Four + Merry Life or Smooth Liver
Step 4: After Ovulation Time (warming up the body)
Angelic Four + Yu Lin Zhu or Tonic Yang
Repeat and start again with Step 1.
After Becoming Pregnant
Once become pregnant, keep taking immediately double to triple dosage of An Tai Bao until beginning of 4. Month of pregnancy to avoid miscarriage.
Recommended formulas to use:
IRREGULAR MENSTRUATION (CYCLE LENGTH CHANGES)
Typical symptoms:
irregular menstruationDisease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
The Liver, Spleen and Kidney are most closely related to menstruation. The main reason for the Liver to cause irregular menstruation is the poor smooth function of Liver Qi. The Kidney is the other organ which is closely related to menstruation. Kidney Deficiency can cause less menstruation and a cold feeling. The Cold, Heat and Dampness are disturbing Liver and Kidney and Spleen functions, blocking the blood flow and cause irregular and delayed menstruation.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Scanty bleeding, clots, abdominal and breast distension, premenstrual tension, depression, sighing, irritability.
Merry Life Formula or if symptoms like restlessness or vivid/ bright red period blood, use: Relaxed Wanderer
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yin Deficiency
Scanty periods, dizziness, blurred vision, night sweating, thirst.
Recommended formulas to use:
LATE OR DELAYED MENSTRUATION (CYCLE LONGER THAN 35 DAYS)
Typical symptoms:
late menstruationDisease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Late or delayed Menstruation may be a Deficiency Syndrome or Excess Syndrome. The Deficiency Syndrome is due to insufficient Qi and Blood and menstrual blood can’t flow on time. Excess Syndrome means that the Meridians are impassable due to Stagnation or Cold and the Qi Blood are not running smoothly.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Blood and Yin Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Late periods, scanty pale blood, back pain, nocturia, dizziness, a feeling of cold, fatigue, low libido.
generally: Tonic Yang
if very tired or very cold feeling: Way to Right
Recommended formulas to use:
LOW LIBIDO IN WOMEN
Typical symptoms:
low libidoDisease description:
The beginning or end of a relationship or major life changes, such as pregnancy, menopause or illness, can cause a woman’s sexual desire (libido) to naturally fluctuate. It is true that not every sexual pause means that one’s sexuality is disturbed. However, if the listlessness, pain or other problems in sexuality occur in the long term and cause suffering, women should react urgently. One reason for low libido can be a lack of male hormones in the female hormone balance, caused by taking contraceptives or due to menopause. In rare cases, various kidney and heart diseases, diabetes, depression and the taking of medication can reduce sexual desire. Being concerned by your lack of sexual activity or fantasies, having no interest in sexual activity or no sexual fantasies at all are symptoms of low libido.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that sexual function mainly depends on the Kidney Qi. The Kidney Qi stimulates sexual desire. If the Kidney is overworked and Kidney Qi damaged, it is unable to initiate libido and to nourish the genitals, which causes low libido. The Liver Meridian surrounds the vaginal organs, therefore Liver Qi Stagnation or Phlegm-Dampness blocking the Meridians can also cause weak libido.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yin Deficiency and Damp-Heat
A diminished sex drive, low energy levels and fatigue, dizziness, tinnitus, poor memory, night sweating, dry mouth at night, thirst without the desire to drink, five-palm heat, scanty dark yellow urine, a feeling of heaviness.
Recommended formulas to use:
MENOPAUSAL SYNDROME
Disease description:
Menopause is a natural biological process and marks the time the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after a woman has gone 12 months without a menstrual period and can start in a woman’s 40s or 50s. Physical and psychological complaints during this period usually last between six months to three years, until the body has gotten used to the new hormonal situation. In some women, menopause triggers symptoms that severely impair the quality of life, and they may experience, hot flushes, sweating, insomnia, back and joint complaints, mood swings and depressive moods as some of the most common symptoms.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Kidney Deficiency is the root cause of Menopausal Syndrome. Before and after menopause, women’s KidneyQi gradually declines, Chong and Ren Meridians lose their abilities. This leads to exhaustion of Tiangui (a substance that promotes the maturation of human reproductive organs and maintains reproductive function when the Essence in the Kidney is filled to a certain degree), lack of Essence and Blood, imbalance of Yin and Yang. Kidney Yin or Kidney Yang become then too weak. The syndrome shown is called Menopausal Syndrome.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Kidney Yin Deficiency with Empty Heat
Hot flashes, feeling of burning in palm and sole, malar flush, night sweating, restlessness, insomnia, dry mouth, dry hair, dry skin, vaginal dryness, constipation.
If there is a lot of night sweating, hot flush, combine:
If together with depression: combine with Merry Life
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yang Deficiency
Cold hands and feet, pale face, depression, chilliness, back pain, oedema (of the ankles), a cold feeling in the spine, loose stools, frequent urination.
Tonic Yang
If together with depression: combine with Merry Life
Recommended formulas to use:
OEDEMA
Typical symptoms:
water retention (oedema)Disease description:
Oedema is a condition where fluid leaks from the vessels and accumulates in the surrounding tissue, resulting in swelling in those areas. Most often, the arms or legs are affected, since the fluid is most likely to accumulate there due to gravity. Mild oedema often occurs after prolonged sitting or standing. During pregnancy or just before menstruation, hormone-induced oedema may appear. Injuries may also lead to oedema, but they disappear on their own. Causes of water retention can also be numerous diseases and metabolic disorders. This is particular for generalised oedema, where fluid accumulates and swells throughout the body.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
In Chinese Medicine the metabolic process of aqueous fluid is centred on the Spleen, Lung and Kidney. After the liquid is generated, it is first transferred by the Spleen’s ascending function to the Lung. The Lung receives the water from the Spleen and spreads it all over the body. Kidney Yang maintains the metabolism of water and fluid and promotes the function of the Spleen and Lung in the metabolism of water and fluid. If any of the three organs, Spleen, Lung or Kidney malfunctions, it can cause obstacles in the distribution and excretion of water, causing water to stay in the body and produce oedema.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Heart and Lung Qi Deficiency and Damp with Water Retention
Oedema of whole body or legs, fatigue, shortness of breath, pale complexion, palpitations.
Recommended formulas to use:
Kidney Yang Deficiency with Water Retention
Recommended formulas to use:
Liver Qi Stagnation and Water Retention
Oedema of whole body or legs, irregular period, premenstrual syndrome.
Expel Water Retention + Merry Life Formula or Relaxed Wanderer
Recommended formulas to use:
PERIOD PAIN (DYSMENORRHOEA)
Typical symptoms:
period pain (dysmenorrhoea)Disease description:
Menstruation refers to the days when the menstrual blood flows from the vagina. A cycle is the time from the first day of menstruation to the last day before the next menstruation. This is different for every woman but normally takes happens about every 21 to 35 days. Usually, menstrual bleeding occurs 28 days after the last period. Normally menstruation starts with heavier bleeding, which becomes lighter over the next few days. The light red blood becomes darker and darker. The menstrual period lasts three to six days and at the end, there may well be spotting with old, brownish blood. As a rule, women lose a total of about 50-60 millilitres of blood during menstruation.
Cycle disturbances or irregularities in the female cycle can occur, which relate to the frequency, duration and strength/heaviness of menstruation. They are normal immediately after the first menstrual period, as menstruation and hormonal changes must first settle down.
There are many causes of cycle disturbances. Since the cycle is hormonally controlled, hormonal disorders, as well as diseases of the female sexual organs, are most often the cause of changes. Moreover, medication, genetic disposition, physical or psychological stress can also be the cause of cycle problems.
Explanation according to the Traditional Chinese Medicine:
Chinese medicine summarizes the pathological mechanism of period pain into two sentences: “Stagnation is pain” and “lost in Nourishment is pain”. “Stagnation is pain” means that the Qi and Blood of Chong and RenMeridians and Uterine are not running smoothly, or the Cold Evil further causes Stagnation.
“Lost in Nourishment is pain” refers to the weakness of Qi and Blood, which results in the failure to Nourish the Qi and Blood of Chong and Ren Meridians and Uterine.
Possible syndromes causing these problems:
Qi Stagnation
Recommended formulas to use:
Blood Stagnation
Stabbing pain, dark blood with large clots, pain better after passing clots, restlessness.