Women's Rhythm

The Blood and Qi need to continually move. Blood’s movement should never be forced, hierarchical or strained; a smooth, even and regular flow is its ideal state. Women’s Rhythm is designed to adjust menstruation so that Blood and Qi move and flow harmoniously. This formula helps to support a menstrual cycle that unfolds gracefully, develops regularly and moves gently. Reviewing the many formulas that have been used to alleviate stagnations of menstrual

Qi and Blood, nothing was found to be more finely crafted than Dr. Zhang Jie-Bin’s famous “Penetrate Congealed Blood Decoction.” In his landmark Complete Works of Jing-Yue (volume 51, 1624 A.D.), he describes this formula’s actions as addressing “women’s stagnant Qi and accumulated Blood, menstrual disharmony and postpartum congealed Blood.”

PHYSICAL INDICATIONS

As Dr. Zhang states, Women’s Rhythm is for all menstrual patterns that are due to stagnant Qi and congealed Blood. Stagnant Qi can be triggered by emotions; they come and go, accompanied by distention. Congealed Blood stagnations are sharper, very localized and more persistent. Both are addressed by Women’s Rhythm. Even the occasional cramping and discomfort of Cold obstructing the Blood flow can be addressed by this herbal preparation. It can be helpful whenever occasional blockages of Qi and Blood disrupt the menstrual cycle and cause periods that come too early or late, or are randomly irregular. It also harmonizes menstruation.

Women’s Rhythm is also valuable for any pattern that interferes in the movement of Qi and Blood accompanying the menstrual cycle.

Dr. Zhang, in his original description, mentions this formula as being helpful for postpartum congealed Blood. He also explains that while this formula has been especially crafted for menstrual disharmonies, it can also be used for both women and men whenever the flow of Qi and Blood is disturbed anywhere in the body. He suggests rigidity, instability and chaotic functioning as considerations for its use.

Women’s Rhythm is a generalized formula for dealing with the discomfort of the menstrual cycle. Whenever blockages of Qi and Blood disrupt the natural, smooth passage of menstruation, Women’s Rhythm can be helpful.

ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT

Dr. Zhang’s “Penetrate Congealed Blood Decoction” (Tong Yu Jian) is the model for Women’s Rhythm (Tong Yu Jian and Si Wu Tang). Dr. Zhang himself reviewed many earlier formulas, such as Dr. Chen Zi-Ming’s very similar “Achyranthes Powder,” found in the Complete Book of Good Formulas for Women (volume 1, section 21, 1237 A.D.). We have also made some minor alterations, based mainly on the suggestions in Dr. Zhang’s commentary. These include adding more Blood-nourishing herbs (ingredients from the “Soup of Four Things” (Si Wu Tang)) which we will note below.

ABOUT THE HERBS

Dong quai root is an important gynecological herb. It nourishes and moves the Blood, and regulates the menses. Dr. Zhang originally suggested using the “tail” (the part deepest in the soil) to emphasize movement. We have used the entire root because we wanted to add a nourishing dimension to the formula that would be missing using only the tail. It is sweet, acrid, bitter and warm, and enters the Liver, Heart and Spleen meridians.

Prepared Cyperus rhizome is a crucial Qi-moving herb. The Illustrated Classic of the Materia Medica (1061 A.D.) points out that it is also valuable for occasional anxiety, worry, and mental confusion. It is acrid, slightly bitter, sweet and neutral, and enters the Liver and Triple Burner meridians.

Carthamus flower is a crucial herb to move the Blood, promote menstruation and penetrate congealed Blood. It is acrid and warm, and enters the Heart and Liver meridians.

Prepared Corydalis yanhusuo tuber moves the Blood and circulates the Qi. Dr. Zhang originally used Lindera (Wu yao) in his formula. We have followed common modern experience and substituted prepared Corydalis yanhusuo tuber in its place. It is acrid, bitter and warm, and enters the Liver, Stomach and Lung meridians.

Achyranthes root is an addition to the original formula suggested by Dr. Zhang’s own commentary. It invigorates the Blood and moves congealed Blood. It is bitter, sour and neutral, and enters the Kidney and Liver meridians.

White peony root was suggested by Dr. Zhang as a valuable addition to his formula if there was significant Blood deficiency. It is an important herb to tonify the Blood while it simultaneously comforting the Liver and addressing stagnation. It is bitter and slightly cold, and enters the Liver meridian.

Sichuan lovage rhizome is another addition to the formula suggested by Dr. Zhang, borrowing from the “Soup of Four Things.” It moves the Blood and circulates Qi and is commonly used for supporting a healthy menstrual cycle. It is acrid and warm, and enters the Liver, Gallbladder and Pericardium meridians.

Prepared Rehmannia root follows the idea of supplementing the original formula with the ingredients of the “Soup of Four Things.” It is sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Liver, Kidney and Heart meridians.

Silk tree bark has been added. We wanted to include an herb that would enhance the formula’s ability to address the irritability, emotional sensitivity, moodiness and “feeling on the verge of tears” that we have found disproportional in Western individuals. Silk tree bark, according to the Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica (c. 150 A.D.), “calms the five solid (Zang) organs . . . (encourages) happiness and absence of worry.” In addition, according to the Grand Materia Medica (1578 A.D.), it simultaneously harmonizes the Blood and alleviates stagnation. It is sweet and gentle, and enters the Heart, Spleen and Stomach meridians.

Asian water plantain rhizome leaches out Dampness. The Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians (c. 500 A.D.) says it is used for “obstructed water in the Triple Burner.” Dr. Zhang’s adoption of water plantain for menstrual cycle water retention dates to the famous “Angelica Peony Powder” found in Essential Formulas of the Golden Chest (c. 220 A.D.). It is sweet and cold, and enters the Bladder and Kidney meridians.

Saussurea root moves Qi and alleviates stagnation. It is acrid, slightly bitter and warm, and enters the Spleen, Stomach, Large Intestine and Gallbladder meridians.

Chinese hawthorn fruit moves congealed Blood, opens stagnant Qi and helps protect digestion. It is sour, sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Spleen, Stomach and Liver meridians.

Tree peony root bark is an addition to Dr. Zhang’s formula. It is adopted from an idea in the Neglected Patterns of the Classic (1832 A.D.) that couples Tree peony root bark with Chinese cinnamon bark so that both Hot and Cold aspects are addressed whenever there is congealed Blood. This usage is popular in modern China. According to the Divine Husbandman’s Classic of the Materia Medica (c. 150 A.D.) Tree peony root bark also “calms the five solid (Zang) organs.” It is helpful at soothing irritability, edginess and tension. It is slightly cold, acrid and bitter, and enters the Kidney, Heart and Liver meridians.

Tangerine dried rind of green fruit is one of the best herbs available for moving constrained Liver Qi. It is used to move stagnant Qi, and as the Supplement to the Extension of the Materia Medica (1347 A.D.) says, emotions such as belligerence and anger. It is bitter, acrid and slightly warm, and enters the Liver and Gallbladder meridians.

Chinese cinnamon bark is again a suggestion by Dr. Zhang. He suggested its use whenever Cold obstructs blood movement and causes stagnation. A characteristic of Chinese cinnamon bark is to warm the Blood without causing dryness. It is sweet, acrid and very hot, and enters the Kidney, Liver and Spleen meridians.