subject: Menstruation Disorders -Irregular Period Causes by Spleen Qi Deficinecy In TCM Perspective [print this page] Spleen is important in absorbing food qi and essence after food being digested by the stomach. If the stomach is unable to digest food or spleen's inability to absorb qi and essence properly, it can interfere with spleen function in qi and nutrient formation and distribution, causing spleen qi deficiency, and leading to domino effect to other organs in the body, sometime it causes irregular period. I. Symptoms of spleen qi deficiency
1. Loss of Appetite
2. Loose Stools
3. Fatigue
4. Tiredness
5. Frequent Urination
6. Tired eyes
7. Headache
8. Abdominal cramp and pain
9. Indigestion
10. Bloating and gas
11. Weak limbs
12. Etc.
II. Causes
1. Cold and raw food
As the foods entering our stomach, they are divided to 2 components, qi and materials. prolonged intake of cold and raw foods causes abnormal function of stomach in food digestion as a result of depletion of energy during the process of food division, leading to qi deficiency.
2. Unhealthy diet
A typical American diet is yang in nature, intake of high amount of unsaturated fat and tran fat encourage the rise to the excessive yang and dampness pathogens that interferes with spleen in distributing qi to the other organs.
3. Environment toxins
Environment toxins not only affects the respiratory function in qi transportation, but also causes toxins accumulated in the liver that distort the qi and blood flow, leading to qi deficiency that disturbs the normal process of menstrual cycle.
5. d) Jujube Dates (Dazao)
It is a good herb for tonifying spleen qi and short of breath and nourishing blood.
4. Etc.
III. Treatments
A. With herbs
1.Ren shen (Ginseng)
Ren shen is considered as one of most powerful herbs in strengthening the original qi in the body. a) In spleen, it improves the spleen function in qi absorption, thus reducing the symptoms of distended chest and abdomen cramps and pain.
b) In lung, it enhances the lung qi by moistening the channels, thus reducing the symptoms of asthma, dry cough and preventing the rebellion qi causes of menstrual cramps and pain.
2. Dang shen (Codonopsis root)
Dang shen is a spleen and lung tonic herbs. It improves the lung function in moving qi smoothly through its channels and spleen function in absorbing qi after foods entering the stomach. It also helps to restore the qi which is damaged by heat caused by infection, inflammation or heat generated due to excessive fluids accumulation.
3. Huang qi (Astragalus)
Huang qi is a popular qi tonic herb and used over thousand year in tonifying spleen, lung qi and raising the spleen and stomach qi by smoothing the lung and spleen channels.
4. Da zao (Jujube dates)
It is a good herb for tonifying spleen qi and short of breath and nourishing blood.
5. Etc.
B. With acupuncture
Suggested acupuncture points
1. ST36 (Zu san li)
2. SP6 (San yin jiao)
3. KD3 (Tai xi)
4. LU9 (Tai yuan)
5. Etc.
C. With foods
C. With diet
1. Black pepper, cooked strawberries,
2. Ginger, tapioca and custards,
3. Cooked yams,
4. Cooked onions
5. Cooked pumpkin
6. Cinnamon
7. Nutmeg,
8. Sweet potato,
9. Garlic, fennel
10. Avoid cold and raw foods
11. Etc
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