You Gui Wan - Tonify Yang
A TCM formula for when a period is irregular, cycles are long, or amenorrhea with small amount of light red or light brown watery flow with no clots. There may be a low sexual drive and/or a low body basal temperature after ovulation when it should go up. There may be ringing in the ears, dizziness, dark circles under the eyes, and aversion to cold with cold extremities and possibly a cold lower abdomen.
Si Wu Tang - Nourish Blood
A TCM formula for when abortion occurred with heavy bleeding, and now experiencing irregular light period, no period, or heavy period with dark purple blood, clots, and painful cramping. Pain is better when clots discharge. There may be dizziness or blurred vision.
Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (also known as Keishibukuryogan)
A traditional Chinese medicine formula containing equal parts of five herbs: Gui Zhi, Fu Ling, Bai Shao Yao, Mu Dan Pi, and Tao Ren. Used for a few days, according to the directions on the packaging, this TCM is used when women have suffered psychological and physical effects of abortion, which may present as abdominal pain, irregular bleeding, acne or skin conditions associated with menstruation, anxiety, depression, and/or uncontrolled crying. Also used for uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
Liang Di Tang – Clear Deficient Heat
This is a TCM formula for menstruation that lasts too long. Women may be irritable with fluctuating emotions of anger and sadness. Menstruation may be accompanied by fever. Blood is very thick red with a relatively small amount.
Glossary
abortifacient - an agent or action that induces abortion.
abortion – the removal or expulsion of a fetus from the uterus, may be spontaneous or induced.
acupuncture – an ancient healing practice of inserting fine needles through the skin at specific points to alter the energetic balance of the body.
adjuvant – agents that have few or limited effects when given by themselves, however when given in combination with another agent enhances its effects on the body.
albaspidin – an anthelmintic compound extracted from aspidium.
albuminuria - the presence of albumin (a protein) in the urine which can be an indicator of kidney damage.
alexiteric – a substance used against poisoning or snake venom.
alion – a bitter yellow compound isolated from the aloe plant, which is used as a laxative to induce intestinal peristalsis.
alkaloid - any of numerous organic substances (such as nicotine or caffeine) containing nitrogen that are often physiologically active.
allopathic – a term coined by Hahnemann, founder of homeopathy, to describe the western medical system that aims to combat disease by the use of surgery or drugs which directly counter a patient’s symptoms.
aloe emodin – a variety of purgative anthraquinone resin found in socotrine, barbados, and zanzibar aloes.
alterative – traditionally known as blood cleansers, these herbs gradually restore proper function in the body, thus improving health and increasing vitality.
alternate - growing at alternating intervals on either side of the stem.
amenorrhea - abnormal absence or suppression of menstruation.
annual – a plant that completes a life cycle in one year or growing cycle.
anodyne – a substance, usually applied externally, that serves to ease pain.
anthelmintic – kills and/or expels parasitic worms especially of the intestine.
anthraquinone - a substance found in many plants, lichens, fungi, and insects which serves as a basic skeleton for their pigments, used in the commercial manufacture of pigments and dyes and used medicinally as a laxative.
antibacterial – a substance or process used against bacteria.
anticancer – a substance or process used against cancer.
anticoagulant - a substance that interferes in coagulation of the blood.
anti-inflammatory – a substance that relieves inflammation.
antimetabolite - a substance with structure similar enough to a metabolite to function for normal biochemical reactions, however different enough to inhibit the function of cells. antimetabolites are used in cancer treatment, antibiotics, and sulfa drugs.
antimicrobial – a substance that destroys or inhibits the growth of pathogenic microbes, like bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
antioxidant – a substance that can slow or prevent the oxidation of other molecules.
antimutagenic – a substance that reduces the rate of mutation of cells.
antiparalytic – a substance that helps to relieve the symptoms of paralysis.
antiperiodic – a substance used to prevent the periodic return of illness, such as malaria.
antiprogesterone – a substance which interferes in the production of progesterone, a steroid produced by the adrenal glands, brain, and during early pregnancy the corpus luteum and then later the placenta. Progesterone, which has a symbiotic relationship with estrogen, helps the uterus provide a fertile bed for the fetus and is integral to fetal development.
antiseptic – a substance applied externally to the body to help prevent infection.
antispasmodic – a substance that suppresses the contraction of smooth muscles, like the uterus, stomach, intestine, and urinary bladder.
antitussive – a substance used to suppress coughing, used with dry coughs.
antiviral – a substance used to treat viral infections.
aphrodisiac – a substance believed to excite sexual desire.
apiol – an organic chemical compound found in parsley seeds and essential oil.
aromatic – a volatile substance which has a detectible smell or odor.
astringent – a substance used externally to shrink mucous membranes.
bacteria – single celled microorganisms that do not have a nucleus, and are vital in the recycling of nutrients in the ecosystem. some bacteria are beneficial to humans, while some are pathogenic.
balsamic - an aromatic and usually oily and resinous substance flowing from several trees and shrubs, containing benzoic or cinnamic acid, and used as a base for botanical medicines.
biannual – a plant which completes two growing cycles in one year.
biennial – a plant which blooms every two years.
bilirubinuria - excretion of bilirubin in the urine, which can be a sign of liver damage.
bilirubin - a reddish yellow pigment that occurs naturally in bile and blood and causes jaundice if accumulated in excess.
buccal – the area between the cheek and the gum.
bulb - a modified underground stem with scales containing stored food for the undeveloped shoots at its center.
calyx - a flower’s protective outer covering, composed of green segments called sepias.
cambium – a layer of tissue from which the plant grows found inside the roots and stems of a plant.
carcinogen – a substance which promotes or facilitates the growth of cancerous cells.