Women's Journey

Women’s Journey was formulated to address Cold and deficiency of the Conception (Ren mai) and Penetrating (Chong mai) vessels. When these vessels are Cold and deficient, the Blood and Qi moving through them stagnates. Blood stasis, in turn, prevents the production of new Blood. Since one function of Blood is to moisten and cool the body, deficient Blood gives rise to Heat signs. Because of this, Women’s Journey also addresses imbalances that are more characteristic of Heat.

PHYSICAL INDICATIONS

Blood represents the aspect of being that allows for comfort and a feeling of completion within oneself. For women of menopausal age, physical and emotional changes due to disruption of the Blood cycle may be of great concern. When a woman presents patterns of excess as well as deficiency, or Heat and Cold simultaneously, the practitioner will need to address both of these imbalances. Women’s Journey is designed to alleviate such conflicting signs as an occasional cold abdomen, pale tongue color and complexion, blushing, sweating, fatigue and disturbed sleep. Although this formula is designed primarily for women, it may also be used for men with Cold paralysis and Heat agitation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL AND TRANSFORMATIONAL INDICATIONS

This formula may benefit those who are having difficulty relating to transitions and changes in their environment. Women’s Journey is used primarily for women during menopause who are exhibiting both Cold and Heat signs.

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT

Women’s Journey (Wen Jing Tang) is based on the formula called “Warm the Menses Soup” from Essentials from the Golden Cabinet, written by Zhang Zhong-Jing during the Eastern Han Dynasty. The original formula has been modified with Anemarrhena rhizome and Curculigo rhizome to increase its Heat and Cold clearing actions, with Oyster shell added to calm the Spirit (Shen) and benefit the Yin.

ABOUT THE HERBS

Oyster shell calms and settles the Spirit (Shen), and is used for occasional anxiety and insomnia. It is salty, astringent and cool, and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

Dong quai root tonifies the Blood and regulates the menses. It is also an important herb to invigorate Blood and dispel Blood stasis. It is sweet, acrid and warm, and enters the Heart, Liver and Spleen meridians.

White peony root nourishes the Blood, pacifies the Liver and alleviates stagnation. It is used for deficient Blood when combined with the other tonifying herbs in this formula. It is bitter, sour and cool, and enters the Liver and Spleen meridians.

Tree peony root bark assists in dispelling Blood stasis, clearing deficient Heat and cooling the Blood. It is acrid, bitter and cool, and enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney meridians.

Ophiopogon tuber nourishes the Yin and clears deficient Heat. It is sweet and cool, and enters the Heart, Lung and Stomach meridians.

Evodia fruit warms the menses, dispels Cold, alleviates stagnation and moves Qi. Combined with Chinese cinnamon twig, this herb addresses Blood stasis due to Cold. It is acrid, bitter and hot, and enters the Stomach, Spleen, Liver and Kidney meridians.

Chinese cinnamon twig is used for warming the channels and dispersing Cold that may be obstructing the Blood. It is sweet, acrid and warm, and enters the Lung and Bladder meridians.

Ginger rhizome combines with Chinese licorice root and rhizome and White Asian ginseng root and rhizome to harmonize the Stomach and Spleen and tonify the Qi. This ensures the productive process of transforming Yang to Yin, resulting in sufficient Blood. It is acrid and hot, and enters the Lung and Stomach meridians.

Chinese licorice root and rhizome assists the other Spleen herbs and harmonizes all the herbs in this formula. It is sweet and neutral, and enters all twelve meridians.

Anemarrhena rhizome is the first addition to this traditional formula, as are all of the following herbs. Anemarrhena rhizome clears Heat and quells Fire, while at the same time moistening dryness and nurturing the Yin. It is bitter and cold, and enters the Lung, Stomach and Kidney meridians.

Phellodendron bark will temper deficient Kidney Fire, addressing occasional night sweats and hot flashes. It is bitter and cold, and enters the Kidney and Bladder meridians.

Morinda root is classified as a Kidney Yang tonic, and is used for fortifying Yang and strengthening the sinews and bones. It is acrid, sweet and warm, and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.

Curculigo rhizome is similar in action and use to Morinda root in that it warms the Lower Burner by tonifying the Yang. We have added Curculigo rhizome along with Morinda root, two Kidney Yang tonics, to address the cold sensations that occur with Hot and Cold Blood syndromes. It is acrid and warm, and enters the Kidney and Liver meridians.

Raw Rehmannia root cools the Blood, nourishes the Yin and generates fluids. It is bitter and cold, and enters the Heart, Liver and Kidney meridians.

White Asian ginseng root and rhizome strongly tonifies the Qi. White Asian ginseng root and rhizome, Chinese licorice root and rhizome and Ginger rhizome are used in Women’s Journey to give strength to the Stomach and Spleen for ample Blood production. It is sweet and warm, and enters the Spleen and Lung meridians.

Lycium fruit nourishes and tonifies the Liver and Kidneys. It tonifies Blood and benefits the Essence (Jing). It is sweet and neutral, and enters the Liver, Lung and Kidney meridians.

Processed Polygonum multiflorum root, in tandem with Lycium fruit, tonifies the Liver and Kidneys, nourishes Blood and benefits Essence (Jing). It is bitter, sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians.