Stop Painful Menstrual Cramps with Chinese Herbs
By: Cathy Margolin, L.Ac., Dipl.OM (NCCAOM)
Are you curled up in bed for a day or more each month with
one thought: “What am I going to do about these period
cramps?” You are not alone, as 50% of menstruating
women have the same experience month after month. But
why suffer when you could be living pain free? NSAIDs
(Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs*) only mask the
pain for a few short hours. Chinese herbal medicine, on the
other hand, has been used for centuries with welldocumented results.
An international nonprofit organization, known as the Cochrane
Collaboration, studied the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine
in relieving menstrual pain compared to western drugs. Their
conclusion: “Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhea
roughly doubled pain relief and improvement in overall symptoms
compared with conventional Western pharmaceuticals,” reported
Xiaoshu Zhu. (1)
Here are a few common Chinese herbs used for painful
menstrual cramps:
1. Dong Gui (Chinese Angelica or Angelica Sinensis)
Also known as the "female ginseng," it is commonly used to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve
menstrual cramps. It also helps to relieve menopausal symptoms, reduce PMS and anemia and to reestablish a menstrual cycle after cessation of birth control pills. It is commonly sold as a single herb
tea, bagged or loose. It is considered a king herb or premier herb in Chinese gynecological disease
because of its ability to harmonize the blood in Chinese medicine. Dong Gui is also considered
antispasmodic. The coumarin chemicals present in this herb may help dilate blood vessels and relax
the smooth muscles of the uterus, thus relieving menstrual cramping.
2. Chuan Xiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma)
This herb is also a key medicinal herb for treating pain. It improves blood circulation and promotes
the flow of "qi" or vital energy. Chinese women, dating back to the Song Dynasty, used to take this
Chinese herb in the form of soup. The soup is called a Four Substance Decoction and includes three
other herbs: angelica, red peony and Chinese foxglove. The soup and tea are still used today as a
blood tonic to relieve PMS, stop menstrual pain and improve overall health, especially after giving
birth.
3. Bai Shao (White Peony Root)
White Peony Root nourishes the blood and improves circulation. It is also used for a wide variety of
gynecological problems. The peony root is considered a liver tonic in Chinese medicine. By
strengthening the liver, it helps to increase the efficiency of protein and fat metabolism, thus inhibiting
the excessive synthesis of prostaglandins that may cause an over-active uterus and endometrial pain.
4. Yi Mu Cao (Chinese Motherwort)
Leaves from this herb are used to treat menstrual problems. They have been shown to improve blood
circulation and clear blood clots that occur in menstrual disorders and after childbirth. The leaves also
promote diuresis and relieve edema. Studies on the alkaloid leonurine showed that this substance
stimulates the uterus of rabbits, cats, dogs and guinea pigs. (2)
5. Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome)
There are two main functions of this Chinese herb: to strengthen blood circulation and to relieve
pain. In conjunction with chuan xiong it is known to help both body aches and headaches. Corydalis
is related to the opium poppy. Although only 1% in strength compared to opium, it is a very effective
pain reliever. The active chemical constituent di- tetrahydropalmatine (THP) is a neuroactive alkaloid
with analgesic action that relieves cramping pain.
Groups of Chinese herbs, also known as formulas, are more beneficial than single herb remedies
because the herbs work synergistically for conditions such as menstrual cramps. The Cochran study
also stated that: “The herbal remedies were also significantly better at relieving painful cramps and
other symptoms than acupuncture or a hot water bottle, with overall promising findings… Chinese
herbs overall, whether standardized or tailored, yielded better pain relief than conventional
pharmaceutical therapies.”
Chinese herbal medicine can be a bit intimidating when you don’t know anything about these herbs,
and the five herbs above are only a few of the herbs beneficial for menstrual cramps in the Chinese
herbal encyclopedias. Asian pharmacies sell prescriptions of herbal teas and pills daily, and Asian
cultures have used herbs successfully for hundreds of years. By replacing NSAIDs with Chinese herbs,
women receive an additional benefit of avoiding the nasty NSAIDs side effects such as upset stomach,
heartburn, ulcers and rashes, and liver damage, to name a few. Women don’t need to suffer month
after month. You can use Chinese herb supplements to be pain free and PMS symptom free all month
long.
Primary source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Source; Zhu X, et al "Chinese herbal medicine for primary dysmenorrhoea" Cochrane Database of
Systematic Reviews 2007;3: CD005288.
1. Chinese Medicine Program at the University of Western Sydney.1 (fourth issue for 2007 of The
Cochrane Library).
2. Yin, J. Modern Research and Clinical Application of Chinese Materia Medica (2) pp 218-219 Beijing:
Chinese Medical Classic Press.
* NSAID are Non-Sterodial Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Generics and name brands include: ibuprofen,
Advil, Motrin, naproxen sodium, Aleve, aspirin, Bayer, Bufferin, acetaminophen, and Tylenol.
About the Author:
Cathy Margolin is a Licensed Acupuncturist in CA and has been certified as a Diplomat in Oriental
Medicine. She has specialized in Chinese Herbs and her company PACHerbs.com carries high potency
herbal products sold in individual packets for freshness. She has visited herb manufacturers in both
China and Taiwan and has extensively researched Chinese herb processing. As a health advocate with
a passion for teaching, she enjoys impacting the lives of readers around the world who haven’t yet
experienced the phenomenal health benefits from the ancient wisdom of Chinese herbal medicine.
Article courtesy of Acufinder.com