Understanding Women's Health: The Importance of Nourishing Yin and Blood
Women experience various physiological changes throughout their lives, including menstruation, pregnancy, childbirth, and lactation. These stages are significantly influenced by the body's levels of yin and blood. A deficiency in these essential elements can lead to numerous health issues. Traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes the idea that "women are fundamentally based on blood." Therefore, the foundational principle for women's health is to nourish yin and blood.
Principles of Nutritional Support for Women
Though the causes of menstrual disorders can vary widely, the most prevalent issues are often linked to qi and blood deficiency. To effectively manage menstrual health, a focus on nourishing yin and blood is crucial.
Early Menstruation
Definition: Refers to menstruation occurring more than 6-7 days earlier than usual, sometimes even twice a month, also known as "premature menstruation."
Symptoms: Symptoms may include heavy but light red menstrual flow, fatigue, shortness of breath, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, dull complexion, pale tongue, and weak pulse.
Causes: This condition is typically caused by qi and blood deficiencies.
Treatment: During winter, it is beneficial to tonify qi and blood. A traditional remedy involves using a black-boned chicken, along with angelica, astragalus, and poria mushroom, all cooked together. The mixture should be consumed twice, with the preparation repeated each menstrual cycle for 3-5 doses.
Delayed Menstruation
Definition: This condition refers to menstruation occurring later than 6-7 days, or having a cycle of 40-50 days, known as "delayed menstruation."
Symptoms: Common symptoms include delayed menstruation, scanty flow, abdominal pain, weakness, pale complexion, dizziness, insomnia, muscle aches, and a pale tongue with thin coating.
Causes: Delayed menstruation is often related to blood deficiency.
Treatment: In the winter, nourishing blood and regulating menstruation is advised. A recipe may include lamb, ginger, and a combination of herbs like astragalus and angelica, cooked together and consumed daily for 3-5 days post-menstruation.
Excessive Menstruation
Definition: Characterized by heavy menstrual flow that persists longer than usual.
Symptoms: Symptoms typically include light red, thin menstrual flow, a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen, fatigue, pale complexion, heart palpitations, and a pale tongue with a thin white coating.
Causes: This condition is often due to qi deficiency.
Treatment: A supportive remedy may involve cooking a hen with astragalus and mugwort, to be consumed in two to three portions during the menstruation period.
Scanty Menstruation
Definition: Refers to light menstrual flow that lasts only 1-2 days or tapers off quickly.
Symptoms: Common symptoms include pale red flow, dull complexion, dry skin, dizziness, palpitations, abdominal pain, cold hands and feet, and a pale, thin pulse.
Causes: This is often attributed to blood deficiency.
Treatment: A nourishing approach involves using chicken blood vine, red dates, and lean pork, cooked together for five days before menstruation to support sufficient blood flow.
Amenorrhea
Definition: Refers to the cessation of menstruation.
Symptoms: Symptoms may include pale or sallow complexion, fatigue, dizziness, heart palpitations, restlessness, weakness in limbs, and a pale, weak pulse.
Treatment: Combining qi and blood nourishment is recommended. A remedy may consist of cooking squid with peach kernels or using astragalus, goji berries, and dove, prepared as a soup taken every other day for 4-5 times each month in winter.
Conclusion
Nourishing yin and blood is essential for maintaining women's health throughout different life stages. By understanding various menstrual disorders and applying traditional remedies, women can support their body's needs effectively. Always consult with a healthcare professional before undertaking any new health regimen.