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
A menstrual cycle delayed by 8–9 days, or even occurring every 40–50 days, is called Delayed Menstruation (Yuejing Houqi). If it is only delayed by 3–5 days without any other signs of imbalance, it is not classified as Delayed Menstruation.
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the occurrence of delayed menstruation with scanty flow involves both deficiency and excess patterns. In the deficiency pattern, the body’s nutritive blood (ying-blood) is insufficient, causing the Sea of Blood (Xuehai) to be empty and unable to fill on schedule. In the excess pattern, meridians are blocked, the Chong and Conception Vessels are obstructed, and the movement of qi and blood becomes sluggish. Clinical manifestations include a delayed menstrual cycle and scanty menstrual flow.
Traditional Chinese Medicine classifies delayed menstruation into several types such as Blood Cold, Blood Deficiency, and Qi Stagnation, and adopts supports methods including dispelling Cold, soothing the Liver, and nourishing Blood and tonifying Qi according to different etiologies.
1. Blood Cold: Delayed menstruation, scanty amount with dark color, accompanied by lower abdominal pain, pale complexion, aversion to cold, and cold limbs. Tongue coating is thin and white, pulse is deep and tight. supports principles: supports warmth and comfort in the abdominal region, and supports blood nourishment and menstrual regularity.
2. Blood Deficiency: Delayed menstruation with scanty amount and pale color, accompanied by dull pain in the lower abdomen, sallow complexion, dizziness and palpitations, pale tongue body with thin coating, and deficient, thready pulse. The therapeutic approach is to support blood nourishment and circulation, and to nourish the Kidney and regulate menstruation.
3. Qi Stagnation: Delayed menstruation with purple-red color and scanty volume, lower abdominal distension and pain, mental depression, chest oppression and discomfort, belching gives slight relief, thin yellow tongue coating, wiry and rough pulse. supports principle: clear the Liver and helps with occasional Stagnation.
1.Ai Ye Xiang Fu Cha (Mugwort and Cyperus Tea)
Ingredients: Artemisia argyi (Ai Ye) 9g, Cyperus rotundus (vinegar-prepared Xiangfu) 15g, Zingiber officinale (dried ginger, Ganjiang) 6g.
Preparation: Coarsely grind the above three ingredients together, place in a cup, steep in boiling water, and drink as tea. Take one dose daily.
Actions: Helps warm the meridians and disperse cold, supports the smooth flow of Qi, and promotes normal menstrual function. This formula is intended for individuals with a Blood Cold pattern to help maintain a regular menstrual cycle.
2.Gui Jiang Yan Hu Cha (Angelica, Ginger, and Corydalis Tea)
Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 9 g, Corydalis yanhusuo (Yanhusuo) 5 g, Zingiber officinale (Shengjiang) 2 slices.
Preparation: Grind the above three ingredients into coarse powder, place into a thermos, pour in boiling water, cover and steep for 30 minutes. Consume as a tea, one dose daily.
功效：supports healthy blood circulation, warms the body, and promotes menstrual regularity. It helps maintain normal menstrual timing and supports regularity for individuals with a Blood Cold pattern, particularly in cases of occasional delayed or skipped menstruation.
3.Gui Qi Dazao Cha (Angelica, Astragalus, and Jujube Tea)
Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 10 g, Astragalus membranaceus (Huangqi) 20 g, Ziziphus jujuba (Hongzao/Dazao) 5 pieces.
Preparation: Decoct the above three ingredients in water twice. Combine the decoctions and mix well. Take as a tea substitute. One dose daily, divided into morning and evening servings.
Functions: supports Qi and fortifies the Spleen, nourishes blood and helps maintain menstrual regularity. supports individuals with Blood Deficiency pattern to promote a normal menstrual cycle.
4.Gui Tang Cha (Angelica Sweet Tea)
Ingredients: Angelica sinensis (Danggui) 10g, brown sugar 30g.
Preparation method: Grind Angelica sinensis (Danggui) into coarse powder. Place it together with brown sugar into a thermos. Pour in boiling water, cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Drink as tea. One dose daily.
Functions: supports healthy blood generation and helps maintain normal menstrual cycles. Designed for women experiencing occasional menstrual delays associated with a Blood Deficiency pattern.
5.Chenpi Yimu Cha (Tangerine Peel and Motherwort Tea)
Ingredients: Citrus reticulata (Chenpi) 10g, Leonurus japonicus (Yimucao) 15g.
Preparation Method: Combine the above two ingredients into a coarse powder, place in a cup, and infuse with boiling water. Drink as a tea. Take one dose daily.
Efficacy: Regulates Qi and strengthens the Spleen, activates blood and supports menstrual health. helps maintain a balanced menstrual cycle for those with Qi Stagnation pattern.
6.Xiangfu Chuanxiong Cha (Cyperus and Ligusticum Tea)
Ingredients: Cyperus rotundus (Xiangfu) 12g, Ligusticum chuanxiong (Chuanxiong) 6g, Brown sugar (Hongtang) 20g.
Preparation: Grind the first two ingredients into coarse powder, place them together with brown sugar into a cup, and steep with boiling water. Drink as tea. Take one dose daily.
Function: supports the smooth flow of Qi and promotes a calm emotional state; supports healthy blood circulation and helps maintain a regular menstrual cycle. This formula supports women experiencing occasional menstrual irregularities associated with Qi Stagnation 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’ve been dealing with irregular cycles lately, so this was helpful. I had no idea TCM considers a 3-5 day delay normal. Might try some of these teas before jumping to conclusions next time. Thanks for sharing!
Great read! I’ve been dealing with irregular cycles and always wondered when it’s considered “delayed.” Love how TCM looks at the whole body balance. Definitely going to try one of those herbal teas suggested. Thanks for sharing! 🌸☕
Interessant! Ich hab selbst manchmal Probleme mit unregelmäßigem Zyklus und finde die TCM-Perspektive spannend. Welcher Tee hilft denn am besten bei Stress als Auslöser? Werde mal die Kräuter ausprobieren, bevor ich gleich zu Hormonen greife. Danke für den Artikel!
معلومات قيمة جداً! كنت أتساءل دائمًا عن الفرق بين تأخير 3-5 أيام والتأخير الأطول. شكرًا لمشاركة هذه الوصفات العشبية حسب الطب الصيني، سأجربها وأرى النتائج.
Interesting! I’ve been dealing with irregular cycles for a while, and TCM herbal teas sound like a gentle approach. I’ll have to look up which tea suits my pattern—cold or stagnant energy. Thanks for sharing this!