Disclaimer: All herbal teas, medicinal soups, acupuncture and Tui Na described in this article are only auxiliary wellness regimens for traditional health maintenance, not formal medical treatments. They cannot replace professional physician diagnosis, prescription drugs or clinical therapies. Anyone diagnosed with physical diseases shall strictly follow the treatment plans formulated by licensed medical practitioners. All TCM terminology, wellness regulation theories and traditional health philosophies in this text are solely for the inheritance, popularization and cultural exchange of traditional Chinese medicine. No content herein shall be deemed guidance for clinical diagnosis or medical treatment. Read more
After deLivery, the residual blood and fluids retained in the uterus are known as “lochia.” Under normal conditions, lochia should be completely expelled within 20 days postpartum. However, if it continues to drip beyond this period, it is referred to as “persistent lochia.” Without timely support, prolonged persistence may affect the mother’s general well-being and contribute to other health issues.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pathology mainly involves abnormal qi and blood dynamics: blood stasis with Qi Stagnation, Qi Deficiency failing to contain blood, or Yin Deficiency with Blood Heat, all can lead to persistent lochia.
Blood Stasis: After childbirth, the uterine vessels are deficient, allowing cold pathogens to invade and congeal with blood, forming stasis. This results in scanty, lingering lochia that may persist.
Qi Deficiency:Often due to constitutional weakness, insufficient vital qi, or blood loss and qi damage during deLivery, further depleting qi. Alternatively, overly early postpartum exertion may tax the Spleen, leading to sinking qi and insecure Chong and Ren channels, unable to contain blood.
Blood Heat: The mother may have pre-existing Yin Deficiency, worsened by blood loss during childbirth, leading to Yin Deficiency and Blood Heat. Or, postpartum overuse of warming herbs, or Liver depression with heat, causing heat to lurk in Chong and Ren, driving blood downward and causing persistent lochia.
1. Blood Stasis Pattern:
Persistent lochia, scanty amount, dark purple-black or with clots, lower abdominal pain that is not helps with occasional by pressure, distention and pain in chest and abdomen. Tongue: normal or purple edges. Pulse: deep, rough, or deep, firm, forceful.
*Structure/function support:* supports healthy blood circulation and helps maintain normal postpartum discharge.
2. Qi Deficiency Pattern:
Persistent lochia over time, continuous dripping, pale red color, large amount, thin consistency, bearing-down sensation in lower abdomen, fatigue, listlessness. Tongue: pale, normal coating. Pulse: weak, moderate.
Structure/function support: supports qi to help the body maintain normal containment of fluids.
3. Blood Heat Pattern:
Persistent lochia, red color, thick and foul-smelling, red complexion, dry mouth and throat, red tongue, thin rapid pulse.
Structure/function support:supports a balanced internal environment and helps maintain normal yin and blood.
1.Shanzha Xiangfu Cha (Hawthorn and Nutgrass Flatsedge Tea)
Ingredients: 30g Crataegus pinnatifida (Hawthorn), 15g Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu, Nutgrass Galingale), 15g brown sugar. Preparation: Coarsely grind the first two ingredients. Place together with the brown sugar into a thermos cup. Pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. Use one dose daily. Benefits: supports healthy blood circulation, promotes balanced qi movement, and helps with occasional discomfort. May assist in maintaining normal postpartum recovery for those with a Blood Stasis pattern.
2.Leonurus japonicus (Motherwort) and Portulaca oleracea (Purslane) Tea
Ingredients: Leonurus japonicus (Yimucao, motherwort) 30g, Portulaca oleracea (Machixian, purslane) 30g, brown sugar 20g.
Preparation: Grind the first two ingredients together into coarse powder. Place in a cup with brown sugar, brew with boiling water, and drink as tea. Take one dose daily. Effects: helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports healthy blood circulation. supports postpartum recovery, particularly in supporting the body’s natural process of lochial discharge associated with blood stasis.
3.Prunus persica (Peach Kernel) Tea
Ingredients: 10 grams of Prunus persica (Taoren, peach kernel), 15 grams of brown sugar. Preparation: Remove the skin and tip of the peach kernel, crush it, and place it together with brown sugar into a thermos cup. Pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. One dose daily. Benefits: supports healthy blood circulation and helps maintain normal postpartum recovery.
4.Shanzha Danggui Cha (Hawthorn and Angelica Tea)
Ingredients: 30g Crataegus pinnatifida (Hawthorn), 15g Angelica sinensis (Danggui), 20g brown sugar. Preparation: Grind the first two ingredients into coarse granules. Place them together with brown sugar into a thermos flask, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. Use one dose daily. Efficacy: supports healthy blood circulation and helps maintain comfortable flow of Qi to address occasional discomfort. Suitable for supporting the body during the postpartum period when there is a blood stasis pattern.
5.Shenqi Cha (Ginseng and Astragalus Tea)
Ingredients: Panax ginseng (Renshen) 3 g, Astragalus membranaceus (processed Zhi Huangqi) 30 g, white sugar 20 g. Preparation: Grind the first two ingredients into a coarse powder. Place the powder together with white sugar into a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover tightly, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. Take 1–2 doses daily. Effect: supports Qi and helps maintain healthy blood regulation. supports normal body function during the postpartum period for individuals with Qi Deficiency.
6.Gui Qi Dangshen Cha (Angelica, Astragalus, and Codonopsis Tea)
Ingredients: Danggui (Angelica sinensis) 10g, Shengqi (Astragalus membranaceus) 12g, Dangshen (Codonopsis pilosula) 10g, Jiaobaizhu (Atractylodes macrocephala, stir-fried) 10g, Fuling (Poria cocos) 12g, Shengmacarbonized (Cimicifuga foetida charcoal) 6g, Chuanduan (Dipsacus asper) 10g, Shudi (Rehmannia glutinosa, prepared) 12g, Chenpi (Citrus reticulata peel) 6g. Preparation: Decoct the above ingredients in water twice, combine the decoctions, and mix well. Consume as a tea. Take one dose daily, divided into morning and evening servings. Benefits: supports the Middle Jiao and boosts Qi, helps maintain normal hemostatic function. supports occasional postpartum comfort for those with a Qi Deficiency pattern.
7.Dihuang Shengjiang Cha (Rehmannia and Ginger Tea)
Ingredients: 60g Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdihuang), 3g Zingiber officinale (Shengjiang, fresh ginger). Preparation: Roughly grind both ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then drink as a tea. One dose per day. Benefits: supports the nourishment of yin, helps maintain a balanced internal environment, and supports healthy blood circulation and normal menstrual/postpartum cycles. It is traditionally used to help support postpartum recovery in cases of Internal Heat Patterns.
8.Zhizi Baijiang Cha (Gardenia and Patrinia Tea)
Ingredients: 15g each of Gardenia jasminoides (Zhizi) and Patrinia scabiosifolia (Baijiangcao), 20g white sugar. Preparation: Grind the first two ingredients into a coarse powder. Place together with the white sugar in a thermos cup. Pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea, one dose daily. Efficacy: helps maintain a balanced internal environment, supports healthy blood circulation, and promotes the normal elimination of lochia. Traditionally used to support postpartum recovery, particularly for those with a Blood Heat pattern.
TCM Terminology Disclaimer:All traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terms, descriptions, and wellness expressions including but not limited to nourishing lungs, soothing throat discomfort, supporting respiratory comfort, clearing mild internal heat, balancing qi and blood, harmonizing bodily functions, and regulating general wellness featured on this website are traditional TCM cultural descriptions and historical wellness theories only. These phrases are used solely for traditional TCM knowledge sharing and cultural interpretation. They do not constitute medical efficacy claims, have not been evaluated by the FDA, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All TCM wording describes traditional auxiliary wellness conditioning effects only and should never be interpreted as clinical medical treatment results. Individuals with confirmed illnesses must seek professional medical diagnosis and follow standard Western medical treatment.
FDA Mandatory Disclaimer：These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Chinese herbal dietary supplements and traditional wellness practices are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and serve only as daily auxiliary health support. If you have been diagnosed with any illness, please seek professional medical care and follow standard Western medical treatment regimens.
Interesting read! I had no idea lochia could linger that long. Will definitely look into those herbal teas for postpartum recovery. Thanks for sharing such practical wisdom.
This is so timely—I wish I’d known about these teas earlier! My friend struggled with lingering lochia after her second baby, and nothing seemed to help. I’ll share this with her. Thanks for the clear breakdown!
産後のケア、大事ですよね。漢方茶で体を整えるっていうのは自然でいいな
This is such helpful info for new moms! I had no idea lochia could linger that long. Do you recommend any specific herbal tea to help with expulsion, or is it better to consult a specialist first? Thanks for sharing!