9 TCM Herbal Teas for Balanced Female Cycle Vitality

Under normal development, menstruation generally begins around the age of 14 in women. However, if menstruation has not occurred by age 18, or if the menstrual cycle has been established but then ceases for more than three months (excluding pregnancy and lactation), this is referred to as amenorrhea. The former is termed primary amenorrhea, and the latter secondary amenorrhea.

Patients with amenorrhea often present with lower back soreness and fatigue, mental exhaustion, and even signs of imbalance such as dizziness, insomnia, and hair loss. Amenorrhea can be triggered by underdeveloped or malformed reproductive organs, neurological and endocrine system wellness, as well as systemic wellness. The amenorrhea discussed herein is limited to that caused by functional imbalances, excluding organic conditions such as congenital absence of the uterus or ovaries, vaginal atresia, and reproductive organ tumors.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, menstrual cessation can be classified into two types: deficiency and excess. The deficiency type is often due to Spleen and Kidney deficiency, Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency, emptiness of the Uterus, and lack of blood to circulate. The excess type is often due to Cold congealing or Qi Stagnation and Blood stasis, causing blockage of the meridians and vessels, helps maintain the menstrual blood from descending.

1. Spleen and Kidney Deficiency: Dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, fatigue and lack of strength, poor appetite, palpitations, shortness of breath, abdominal distension, loose stools, dull complexion, pale tongue with thin white coating, and deep, thin or fine, weak pulse. The supports principle is to support Qi and blood, and to support the functions of the Spleen and Kidney.

2. Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency: Dizziness, dry eyes, soreness and weakness of the lower back and knees, irritability and tidal fever, numbness in the limbs, scanty vaginal discharge, dry vulva, excessive dreaming at night, and in more severe cases, emaciation, sallow complexion, hair loss, low libido. The tongue is pale with a thin white or thin yellow coating, and the pulse is thin and weak. supports principle: Nourish the Liver and Kidneys, and support blood and essence.

3. Qi and Blood Deficiency: Fatigue, shortness of breath, disinclination to talk, dizziness, blurred vision, palpitations, insomnia, lusterless hair, dry skin, pale tongue with thin white coating, thin and weak pulse. The approach is to support Qi and nourish Blood, and to help maintain a harmonious menstrual cycle.

4. Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis: Irritability and easy anger, emotional depression, chest and rib fullness and distension, stabbing or distending pain in the lower abdomen, abdominal tenderness to pressure, dark tongue body or with ecchymoses or petechiae, thin white or thin yellow coating, deep and rough or thin and wiry pulse. supports principle: Regulate Qi and invigorate Blood, resolve stasis and unblock the channels.

5. Cold-Dampness Obstruction: Mental fatigue and lassitude, gradual increase in body weight, fullness and oppression in the chest and epigastrium, poor appetite with profuse phlegm, excessive vaginal discharge (white and thick in consistency), tongue pale and swollen with white greasy coating, slippery pulse. Management focuses on supporting the body’s ability to dry dampness and transform phlegm, and to promote healthy blood circulation and meridian flow.

1.Guiqi Dangshen Tea (Angelica sinensis, Astragalus membranaceus, Codonopsis pilosula)

Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 10g, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 10g, Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) 10g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 3g, Paeonia lactiflora (Chi Shao) 10g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shu Dihuang) 10g, Epimedium brevicornum (Xianlingpi) 10g, Cuscuta chinensis (Tusizi) 10g, Rubus chingii (Fupenzi) 10g, Morus alba (Sang Shen) 10g, Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu) 10g.

Preparation: Decoct the herbs in water twice, combine the resulting decoctions, and drink as tea. One dose daily, to be taken in two separate portions, one in the morning and one in the evening.

Functions: supports Qi and blood health, and supports healthy Spleen and Kidney function. helps maintain normal menstrual regularity in individuals presenting with a Spleen and Kidney Deficiency pattern.

2.Erzi Honghua Cha (Two-Seed Safflower Tea)

Ingredients: Lycium barbarum (Gouqizi) 30g, Ligustrum lucidum (Nüzhenzi) 24g, Carthamus tinctorius (Honghua) 10g.

Preparation: Grind the above three ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a thermos flask, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes, then drink as tea. One dose per day.

Benefits: supports Kidney and Liver health, and promotes healthy blood circulation for normal menstrual function. helps maintain regular menstruation in individuals with Liver-Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern.

3.Gui Di Er Zi Cha (Angelica, Rehmannia, and Two-Seed Tea)

Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 15g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shudihuang) 18g, Lycium barbarum (Gouqizi) 12g, Ligustrum lucidum (Nüzhenzi) 24g.

Preparation: Combine the above four ingredients and coarsely grind them. Place the mixture into a thermos cup, pour in boiling water, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes. Drink as a tea. Use one dose daily.

Actions: Tonifies the Kidneys and benefits the Liver, nourishes Blood and replenishes Essence. supports women with Liver and Kidney Yin Deficiency pattern for maintaining healthy menstrual function.

4.Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) and Angelica sinensis (Danggui) Tea

Ingredients: Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 30 g, Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 30 g, Codonopsis pilosula (Dangshen) 15 g, Leonurus japonicus (Yimucao) 15 g, Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu) 12 g.

Preparation: Grind the above ingredients into a coarse powder. Place in a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover, and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. One dose daily.

Function: supports Qi and Blood, and helps maintain a normal menstrual cycle. This is intended for those with a pattern of Qi and Blood Deficiency.

5.Gui Qi Niu Xi Cha — Angelica Astragalus Achyranthes Tea

Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 30 g, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 30 g, Cyathula officinalis (Chuanniuxi) 15 g.

Preparation method: Grind the above three ingredients into a coarse powder and place in a thermos cup. Pour in boiling water, cover tightly, and let steep for 30 minutes. Drink as a tea. Use one dose daily.

supports healthy Qi and blood levels, and promotes blood circulation and meridian flow. helps maintain overall wellness for those with Qi and blood deficiency pattern.

6.Danggui Yimu Cha (Angelica and Motherwort Tea)

Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 15 g, Leonurus japonicus (Yimucao) 30 g.

Preparation: Combine the two ingredients into a coarse powder. Place in an insulated cup, pour in boiling water, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes. Drink as a tea. Use one dose daily.

Efficacy: supports blood nourishment and promotes healthy blood circulation. supports menstrual regularity and helps maintain occasional comfort. Suitable for patterns of Qi Stagnation and blood stasis, particularly those with predominant blood stasis that may affect normal menstrual function.

7.Xiangfu (Cyperus rotundus) Qiancao (Rubia cordifolia) Tea

Ingredients: 15g Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu), 15g Rubia cordifolia (Qiancao), 15g Vaccaria segetalis (Wangbuliuxing), 15g Achyranthes bidentata (Hong Niuxi).

Preparation: Combine the above four ingredients into a coarse powder. Place in a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. One dose daily.

Functions: supports the movement of Qi and healthy blood circulation. helps maintain regular menstrual function for individuals with patterns of Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis.

8.Aconitum carmichaelii (Fuzi) and Cinnamomum cassia (Rougui) Tea

Ingredients: *Aconitum carmichaelii* (Fuzi) 9g, *Cinnamomum cassia* (Rougui) 3g, *Morinda officinalis* (Bajitian) 12g, *Zingiber officinale* (Ganjiang) 5g, *Lycopus lucidus* (Zelan) 10g, *Carthamus tinctorius* (Honghua) 10g, *Atractylodes lancea* (Cangzhu) 12g.

Preparation: Grind the above herbs into a coarse powder. Place in an insulated cup, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes. Drink as a tea. One dose daily.

Efficacy: supports drying dampness and transforming phlegm, and promotes healthy blood circulation and menstrual function. supports the body’s normal balance in the context of Cold-Dampness Obstruction pattern.

9.Si Wu Tiao Jing Cha (Four-Substance Tea for Menstrual Support)

Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 15g, Paeonia lactiflora (Red Peony) 15g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 15g, Rehmannia glutinosa (Shengdi) stir-fried with ginger juice 15g, Arisaema erubescens (Tiannanxing) (processed) 6g, Citrus aurantium (Zhishi) 8g, Pinellia ternata (Banxia) 12g, Citrus reticulata (Chenpi) 3g, Poria cocos (Fuling) 15g, Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Gancao) 4g.

Preparation method: Decoct the above herbs in water twice, combine the decoctions, and drink as tea. One dose daily, taken separately in the morning and evening.

Functions: Strengthens the Spleen and transforms Dampness, moves Qi and guides Phlegm, harmonizes the Nutritive Qi and supports menstrual regularity. Suitable for patterns associated with Cold-Damp Obstruction.