How Traditional Chinese Medicine Takes Care Of Women’s Health

By Yingxiong Feng

About The Author:

The author is a TCM doctor, teacher and Buddhist practitioner. He has published 20 books in Buddhism, culture and health.

Praised by many as The best TCM doctor in New York Chinatown, Loved by all his patients, Patients’ last hope.

Copyright

©Copyright 2024

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written prior permission of the author.

Author Credits: Yingxiong Feng

First Published in 2024

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

General Guidelines In TCM For Women’s Care

Chapter 2

Why Is It Difficult To Treat Gynecological Diseases

Chapter 3

Diagnosis of Gynecological Diseases

Chapter 4

Insights Into Chinese And Western Care For Women

Chapter 5

Menstruation-related Syndromes

Chapter 6

Laucorrhea

Chapter 7

Regulation of Qi and Blood in Women’s Care

Chapter 8

Miscellaneous Gynecological Diseases

Chapter 9

Breast Cancer

Chapter 10

A Promising Care Solution For Women

Chapter 1

General Guidelines In TCM For Women’s Care

An Introduction

Ancient Chinese medicine has a rich theory and practice in taking care of women's health, mainly focusing on regulating menstruation, childbirth, menopause, and general physical health. Compared to Western medicine, it not only differs in concepts but also in clinical methods and effects. This book mainly discusses the following major aspects to provide Western female readers with some inspiration and reference, which is entirely beneficial and harmless to the health care of Western women.

Firstly, I discuss the concept of women's health care. I mainly introduce the principles and guidelines of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) about Yin and Yang, cold and heat, internal and external, deficiency and excess. These explain the foundation of women's health, the relationship between humans and nature, the changes in Yin and Yang, the origin of Qi and blood, the five viscera and six bowels, and the aspects of mental and physical integration, thereby recognizing the importance and feasibility of personalized treatment for women's diseases.

Then, I will focus on menstrual regulation. Ancient Chinese medicine considers menstrual health as an important indicator of a woman's overall health. TCM uses differential diagnosis to treat different menstrual problems (such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, etc.) using various herbs and therapies. For example, using herbs like Angelica and Ligusticum wallichii, as well as medicines that soothe the liver and regulate Qi, to improve menstrual discomfort.

Next, I will share methods for treating gynecological diseases, drawing from the experience of ancient medicine. Ancient Chinese medical texts, such as Zan Yin's 'Chan Bao' (Treasured Manual For Pregnancy and Maternity) from the Tang Dynasty, Chen Ziming's 'Complete Prescriptions for Women' from the Song Dynasty, and Wang Kentang's 'Standards for Diagnosis and Treatment in Gynecology' from the Ming Dynasty, have detailed records of treatments for various gynecological diseases, such as uterine prolapse, leucorrhea (vaginitis), infertility, etc., using Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, and other means.

One of the focal points concerning gynecological diseases is pregnancy and postpartum care. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) pays special attention to women's health during and after pregnancy. During pregnancy, TCM uses diet therapy and herbal remedies to ensure the health of both mother and fetus; postpartum, the focus is on 'sitting the month' (postpartum recuperation), through diet therapy, herbal remedies, and appropriate care to restore the woman's physical condition.

At the same time, we should not neglect the regulation of women's menopause. For women entering menopause, ancient Chinese medicine uses herbal remedies and diet therapy to balance Yin and Yang, alleviating symptoms such as hot flashes, sweating, and emotional fluctuations.

Equally important for women is daily healthcare. Ancient Chinese medicine emphasizes the impact of lifestyle on health, advocating for moderate physical activity, a balanced diet, good emotional management, and sufficient rest, especially adjusting to the specific needs of women in different physiological periods.

The desire for beauty is universal. Ancient Chinese medicine also deals with women's skin care and beauty, using various herbs and natural materials to maintain the health and beauty of the skin, such as pearl powder, flower petals, and herbal facial applications.

Overall, ancient Chinese medicine's care for women's health covers a comprehensive range of conditioning, from daily healthcare to special physiological periods. It is not limited to disease treatment but also includes the overall care of lifestyle and physical and mental health.

Readers are advised to read my book Every Person Is Their Own Best Doctor - Traditional Chinese Medicine In Practice for a more comprehensive and deeper understanding of TCM theory and its clinical practice.

Essentials of Gynecological Care

THE 'HUANGDI NEIJING' states, 'A woman reaches her reproductive phase at the age of fourteen (two sevens), as the Ren meridian becomes unblocked and the Chong meridian flourishes, leading to regular menstruation, thus enabling her to conceive.' According to TCM, a woman's fertility begins at the age of 14, marking the start of her childbearing years.

TCM believes that reproductive capacity originates from the kidney. In the Five Elements, the kidney corresponds to water and is associated with the 'Gui' from the Heavenly Stems, hence the essence of reproduction is also known as 'Tiangui'. Both men and women possess Tiangui.

The uterus is a critical organ reflecting the distinctive characteristics of women. The 'Huangdi Neijing' refers to the female uterus as the 'abode of marvel and constancy', highlighting its unique functions compared to other organs.

The Chong, Ren, Du, and Dai meridians are part of the 'Extraordinary Vessels', interconnected with each other. Both the Chong and Ren meridians originate from within the uterus and connect to the throat, diverging towards the lips. The Chong meridian, distinct from the twelve regular meridians, follows an extraordinary path, yet its functions are based on the organs. The Ren meridian governs all yin aspects of the body, including essence, blood, body fluids, and other yin essences, thus it's known as 'the sea of the yin meridians'. Only when the Qi of the Ren meridian flows and the Chong meridian thrives can the uterus perform physiological functions like menstruation and pregnancy.

Normal menstruation is a sign of a woman’s maturity. Due to the influence of Tiangui, the Ren meridian oversees the abundance of essence, blood, body fluids, and other yin essences, while the Chong meridian gathers blood from the organs. When these two meridians support each other, and the 'sea of blood' is full, menstruation occurs on schedule.

The 'Neijing' states that in the heat of summer, the 'menstrual water' boils, leading to heavier flow before the menstrual cycle. In the cold of winter, the water freezes, leading to lighter flow or even cessation of menstruation."

Physiological leukorrhea is the fluid of kidney essence descending to moisturize. In healthy women, this is the colorless and odorless fluid, viscous but not thick, that moistens the vagina and vulva, known as physiological leukorrhea. Shen's Synopsis of Gynecology, a Qing Dynasty book by Dr. Shen Youpeng, states: Leukorrhea is present in women from birth, constantly moistening, and is not inherently a disease.

Changes in the mother's body during pregnancy are evident, with the most obvious being the cessation of menstruation. The yin blood of the organs and meridians flows downwards to the Chong and Ren meridians to nourish the fetal essence. Ling Shu · Jingmai says: At the beginning of human life, essence forms first, from which brain and marrow develop, bones form the framework, meridians the nourishment, tendons the strength, flesh the walls, and skin and hair grow strong and long.

Menstruation, leukorrhea, pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding are physiological characteristics of women. These are the results of the transforming functions of organs, meridians, Qi and blood, and especially Tiangui, acting upon the uterus, and are inseparably linked to the dominant roles of kidney Qi and Tiangui.

In TCM research on women's physiology, the focus is on organs, meridians, Qi and blood, and Tiangui, as well as their holistic relationship with the uterus. Particular attention is paid to the roles of the kidney, liver, spleen, stomach, and the Chong and Ren meridians in women's physiology.

In Essential Prescriptions from the Golden Cabinet, Zhang Zhongjing stated that there are thirty-six types of diseases in women, each with numerous variations. Physicians should carefully discern the yin and yang, deficiency and excess, and tension of the pulse, and treat with acupuncture and medication accordingly, turning peril into safety. Although some diseases may exhibit similar symptoms, the pulse conditions are different and must be distinguished with care.

Women's menstrual blood and milk are both produced by the spleen and stomach. Another Qing Dynasty classic Essentials of Gynecology states: Blood is the essence of water and grain. It harmonizes the five organs and sprinkles the six bowels. In men, it transforms into essence, and in women, it becomes breast milk above and menstrual blood below. Thus, although the heart governs blood and the liver stores blood, they are all ultimately governed by the spleen. Nourish the spleen and stomach, and blood will naturally be generated.

Women's menstruation is essentially the same as breast milk. The Song Dynasty medical textbook Complete Good Prescriptions for Women states, Irregular menstrual flow in women is due to labor and injury causing a deficiency in Qi and blood, which is then exploited by the invasion of cold wind. If the cold wind invades the womb, it harms the Chong and Ren meridians and damages the Hand Taiyang (Small Intestine) and Hand Shaoyin (Heart) meridians. Both the Chong and Ren meridians originate from within the womb and are the sea of meridians. The Hand Taiyang (Small Intestine) and Hand Shaoyin (Heart) meridians are exterior-interior paired meridians, governing breast milk above and menstrual fluid below.

In the Qing Dynasty, Tang Rongchuan's Discussion on Blood Syndromes states, It is said: 'The middle energizer receives Qi and extracts fluids, which transform and turn red, thus becoming blood.' To illustrate this, take for example women's breast milk, which is transformed from food and drink by the spleen and stomach, and is the fluid extracted by the middle energizer. When a woman's breast milk flows, her menstruation ceases, because this fluid, once it exits through the breasts, does not descend and transform into blood. After weaning, however, this fluid transforms and turns red, descending to become menstrual blood. Everyone knows that promoting lactation requires strengthening the spleen and stomach, but they don't realize that nourishing blood also requires strengthening the spleen and stomach. Since blood is essentially milk, knowing how to promote lactation is akin to knowing how to nourish blood.

In treating women, regulating the menstrual cycle is of primary importance. Due to women's unique physiological characteristics, especially during menstruation, the sea of blood overflows from fullness, the gate of the womb opens, the chamber of blood becomes empty, and pathogenic factors easily invade. Additionally, due to imbalances in Qi and blood, emotions tend to fluctuate, and overall resistance of the body decreases. Improper management can lead to disease.

The main factors causing diseases in women include sexual pathogens, emotional states, living environment, and constitutional factors. The pathology of gynecological diseases can be summarized in three aspects: disease arising from abnormal function of organs affecting the Chong and Ren meridians; disease due to imbalances of Qi and blood affecting the Chong and Ren meridians; and direct injury to the womb affecting the Chong and Ren meridians.

Women should maintain genital hygiene to prevent diseases. Menstrual pads and liners should be kept clean. During menstruation, sexual intercourse, sitz baths, and swimming should be avoided to maintain genital hygiene. Excessive fatigue can harm the kidneys and consume Qi, leading to excessive menstruation, prolonged periods, or even breakthrough bleeding. Therefore, heavy physical