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
Dysmenorrhea refers to a subjective signs of imbalance characterized by lower abdominal pain or lumbar pain occurring during menstruation or in the period just before or after menstruation, which may become severe and unbearable. The pain typically appears several hours after the onset of menstruation, but it can also begin 1–2 days before menstruation and intensify during the menstrual period. Clinical manifestations include a bearing-down sensation or cold, colicky pain in the lower abdomen, which may radiate to the lumbosacral region, anus, and perineum. The pain can last for several hours or 2–3 days, with its severity varying from person to person. In severe cases, individuals may present with pallor, cold extremities, and even syncope, accompanied by signs of imbalance such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, frequent urination, dizziness, and palpitations. In membranous dysmenorrhea, the pain worsens before the passage of large endometrial casts and helps with occasional after their expulsion. This condition is most commonly observed in adolescent girls shortly after menarche and in young women who have not yet given birth.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the main pathology of menstrual discomfort involves emotional constraint leading to Liver Qi Stagnation, or exposure to cold causing stasis obstructing the meridians, or constitutional weakness with Qi and Blood deficiency resulting in unsmooth circulation of Qi and Blood.
Dysmenorrhea can be classified into two types: Excess Pattern and Deficiency Pattern.
Excess Patterns: ① Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Liver Qi constraint and impaired Qi movement may hinder the circulation of blood, leading to stagnation of menstrual blood in the uterus and accompanying discomfort. ② Cold-Dampness Congealing and Stagnating: Exposure to rain, wading in water, or experiencing cold during menstruation, as well as prolonged stay in damp environments or excessive consumption of raw and cold foods during the menstrual period, may cause Cold-Dampness to injure the Lower Burner and lodge in the uterus. The menstrual blood becomes congealed by Cold-Dampness, impairing its smooth flow and potentially resulting in discomfort. ③ Blood Heat with Stasis and Binding: Heat conditions in the uterus or nearby pelvic organs, along with prolonged febrile states, may cause blood to become overheated and also consume Yin. Yin depletion leads to blood stagnation, which may contribute to discomfort.
Deficiency pattern: Qi and blood deficiency, usually with insufficient qi and blood, or damage to qi and blood from severe or prolonged wellness, leading to weak circulation of menstrual blood, which can also cause menstrual pain.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dysmenorrhea is further divided into five types, with supports tailored to the specific underlying causes through pattern differentiation.
1. Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis (with predominance of Qi Stagnation): Breast distension before menstruation, chest and hypochondrium distension and pain, hiccups, lower abdominal distension and pain, irritability and easy anger, dark purple and scanty menstrual flow, dark tongue body with scanty coating, wiry pulse. The supports principle is to support Liver Qi regulation, with additional support for blood circulation.
2. Pattern: Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, with Blood Stasis Predominant: Scanty menstruation, abdominal pain, pain more severe than distension during menstruation, pain like cutting, pressure aggravates pain, pain not helps with occasional by analgesic tablets, pain reduces after passing blood clots, menses dark purple with clots, dark tongue body with ecchymoses, deep and slow pulse. supports principle: supports the smooth flow of Qi and blood circulation, and helps maintain normal menstrual comfort.
3. Cold-Dampness Stagnation: Before or during menstruation, there is a cold sensation in the lower abdomen that worsens with pressure. Menstrual flow is scanty, dark in color, and contains clots. Cold extremities, loose stools, purple tongue edges with a white, greasy coating, and a deep, tight pulse. supports principle: warm the meridians and resolve dampness, regulate qi and transform stasis.
4. Blood Heat with Stasis (often seen in menstrual pain associated with inflammatory conditions): Before or during the menstrual period, there is lower abdominal pain with a bearing-down sensation, sharp stabbing pain more pronounced than distension, generalized or abdominal heat sensations, dark urine, menstrual blood that is dark purple-red, thick, and foul-smelling, a red tongue with a white greasy coating, and a slippery rapid pulse. The therapeutic approach supports a balanced internal environment and helps maintain healthy blood temperature.
5. Qi and Blood Deficiency: During or after menstruation, dull pain in the lower abdomen that is reduced with pressure, pale complexion, low voice, fatigue and lack of strength, palpitations and shortness of breath, loss of appetite, scanty menstruation with pale color and thin quality, pale tongue with thin white coating, thin and weak pulse. The therapeutic principle is to support Qi and nourish Blood to help maintain healthy menstrual function.
1.Shugan Huoxue Cha (Liver-Soothing and Blood Circulation Tea)
Ingredients: 15g Prepared Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu), 9g Curcuma aromatica (Yujin), 9g Vinegar-processed Corydalis yanhusuo (Yuanhu), 24g Stir-fried Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao), 9g Angelica dahurica (Baizhi), 9g Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao).
Preparation method: Grind the above medicinal herbs together into a fine powder. Place the powder into a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Drink as a tea. One dose daily.
Action: Helps helps with occasional the Liver and regulate qi, supports healthy blood circulation and resolves stasis. supports patterns of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, particularly those with a predominance of Qi Stagnation, for occasional menstrual discomfort.
2.Foshou Sugeng Cha (Buddha’s Hand and Perilla Stem Tea)
Ingredients: Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis (Foshou) and Perilla frutescens (Sugeng), 15 g each.
Preparation: Coarsely grind the above two ingredients together, place them in a cup, and steep in boiling water. Drink as tea. Take one dose daily.
Actions: helps with occasional the Liver and regulate Qi (Shugan Liqi), open the chest and reduce distension (Kuanxiong Chuzhang). It helps maintain a smooth flow of Qi and blood in the body, supporting abdominal comfort during menstruation for individuals with Qi Stagnation and blood stasis pattern, particularly when Qi Stagnation is predominant.
3.Verbena and Hawthorn Tea
Ingredients: 60g Verbena officinalis (European Verbena), 30g Crataegus pinnatifida (Hawthorn Berry), 30g brown sugar, 30ml yellow wine.
Preparation: Decoct the first two ingredients in water to extract the juice. Add brown sugar and yellow wine, and drink as tea. Take one dose daily, divided into morning and evening doses.
Actions: supports healthy blood circulation and comfortable meridian flow, helps maintain a balanced internal environment and normal tissue comfort. This formula supports patterns of Qi Stagnation and Blood stasis, particularly those with Blood stasis characteristics for occasional menstrual discomfort.
4.Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua) and Artemisia argyi (Aiye) Tea
Ingredients: 3 g Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua), 3 g Artemisia argyi (Aiye), 9 g Leonurus japonicus (Yimucao), 5 g Lycopus lucidus (Zelan), 1.5 g Syzygium aromaticum (Dingxiang).
Preparation: Grind the above herbs into a coarse powder, place in a cup, and infuse with boiling water. Drink as tea. Take one dose daily, and administer 5-6 doses during each menstrual period.
Efficacy: supports healthy blood circulation and helps maintain comfortable warmth in the meridians, aiding in occasional discomfort. This formula is suitable for individuals presenting with Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, especially those with a blood stasis tendency experiencing menstrual discomfort.
5.Guixin Fuling Cha (Cinnamon and Poria Tea)
Ingredients: Cinnamomum cassia (Guixin) 2g, Poria cocos (Fuling) 2g, Morus alba (Sangbaipi) 3g.
Preparation: Grind the above 3 grams of ingredients into coarse powder, place in a thermal cup, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then drink as tea. Take one dose daily.
Actions: Warms the meridians and transforms dampness, regulates qi and resolves stasis. This supports individuals with Cold-Damp Stagnation pattern for occasional menstrual comfort.
6.Artemisia argyi (Aiye) and Ginger Tea
Ingredients: 10g each of Artemisia argyi (Ai Ye), Zingiber officinale (Sheng Jiang), and brown sugar (Hong Tang).
Preparation method: Grind the first two ingredients into a coarse powder. Place together with brown sugar into a thermos. Pour in boiling water, cover tightly, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. Two doses daily.
Efficacy: Helps warm the interior and disperse cold, supports the elimination of dampness and transformation of stasis. supports menstrual comfort for those with the Cold‑Damp Stagnation Pattern.
7.Tree Peony Bark and Chinese Goldthread Tea
Ingredients: Paeonia suffruticosa (Danpi) 10g, Coptis chinensis (Huanglian) 5g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdi) 15g, Patrinia scabiosifolia (Baijiangcao) 15g, Coix lacryma-jobi (Yiren) 24g, Sargentodoxa cuneata (Hongteng) 12g, Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 15g, Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao) 12g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 12g, Prunus persica (Taoren) 9g, Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua) 9g.
Preparation method: Decoct the above herbs in water twice. Combine the two decoctions, mix well, and drink as a tea. Take one dose daily, divided into morning and evening servings.
Functions: supports a balanced internal environment and healthy blood circulation. Assists with occasional menstrual discomfort related to Blood-Heat and Stasis patterns according to Traditional Chinese Medicine.
8.Taoren Cha (Peach Seed Tea)
Ingredients: 10g Prunus persica (Peach Kernel, Taoren), 20g Rock Sugar (Bingtang).
Preparation: Remove the skin and tip of the Prunus persica (Peach Kernel), and crush the rock sugar. Place both into a vacuum flask, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. Take 1–2 doses daily.
Functions: supports healthy blood circulation and helps break down stagnation. helps maintain a balanced internal environment and supports normal bowel function. helps with occasional discomfort associated with blood-heat and stasis pattern.
9.Siwu (Four Substances) and Artemisia argyi (Ai Ye) Tea
Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 8g, Rehmannia glutinosa preparata (Shudihuang) 12g, Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao) 10g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 10g, Artemisia argyi (Aiye) 8g, Corydalis yanhusuo (Yanhusuo) 3g, Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu) 3g.
Preparation method: Grind the above herbs into coarse powder, place in a thermos, add boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then drink as tea. One dose daily.
Benefits: supports blood nourishment and healthy blood circulation, supports menstrual regularity and helps with occasional discomfort. Intended for individuals with Qi and Blood Deficiency pattern who may experience occasional menstrual discomfort.
10.Gui Shen Yimu Cha (Angelica Sinensis, Ginseng and Motherwort Tea)
Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 10g, Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) 10g, Leonurus japonicus (Yimucao) 12g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 6g, Paeonia lactiflora (Baishao) 10g, Poria cocos (Fuling) 10g, Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu) 10g.
Preparation: Combine the above herbs into a coarse powder. Place in a thermos flask, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as a tea. One dose daily.
Actions: supports Qi and Blood, promotes menstrual regularity, and helps with occasional discomfort. Intended for menstrual discomfort associated with Qi and Blood Deficiency 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.
I’ve been dealing with cramping for years and never thought to try herbal teas like this. Definitely bookmarking these—ginger and mugwort sounds promising! Anyone had luck with a specific blend?
Love this! I’ve been dealing with cramps for years and never thought to try TCM teas. Definitely bookmarking this for next cycle. Anyone tried the ginger and brown sugar combo?
Loved this! As someone who struggles with monthly cramps, I’m definitely trying that ginger and brown sugar tea next cycle. It’s so nice to see a natural approach that doesn’t just rely on painkillers. Thanks for sharing these gentle remedies!
Love this! My herbal tea routine has been a game-changer for my period. Ginger and cinnamon are my go-tos, but I’m excited to try the others mentioned. Have you found any particular brew works best for the lower back pain?