TCM Doctor Recommends Menstrual Care Teas and 5 Daily Habits to Relieve Period Pain
Dr. Lin Yi-jun, a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner, explains that dysmenorrhea is categorized into primary and secondary types, and further into four TCM patterns: Qi and Blood Deficiency, Kidney Deficiency and Liver Depression, Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis, and Wind-Cold. She recommends specific herbal teas like Buddha's Hand and Rose tea, and a warming tea with Longan and Red Dates, along with five daily habits including acupressure, lower body strengthening, and abdominal warmth to help women alleviate period pain.
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- 📰 Published: June 4, 2026 at 13:10
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(Central News Agency, Reporter Chen Jie-ling, Taipei, 4th) The severity of menstrual cramps varies from person to person, ranging from a dull ache to pain so severe one might "want to bang their head against a wall." A Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioner recommends menstrual care teas to warm the uterus and suggests five daily habits, including acupressure, strengthening the lower body, and keeping the abdomen warm, to help women say goodbye to period pain.
Dr. Lin Yi-jun, a TCM practitioner at a clinic, told a Central News Agency reporter in a written statement today that medically, dysmenorrhea is mainly divided into two types: primary dysmenorrhea, which is common in young, unmarried or nulliparous women, usually starting with their first period and recurring with each cycle; and secondary dysmenorrhea, which is common in adult women who did not originally have pain, caused by conditions like endometriosis or fibroids.
According to the "Gui Nu Gui" (Regulations for Women), Dr. Lin pointed out that dysmenorrhea is caused by a deficiency of Qi and Blood. Based on clinical observations, it can be broadly divided into the following four patterns. The first is the Qi and Blood Deficiency pattern, characterized by lower abdominal pain during menstruation, scanty, pale, and thin menstrual flow, a pale complexion, and easy fatigue. Massage can help alleviate symptoms, and these individuals need "replenishment," requiring them to avoid staying up late and not to diet for weight loss.
The second pattern is Kidney Deficiency and Liver Depression. Dr. Lin said that women with this pattern experience abdominal pain and lower back soreness during menstruation. The menstrual color is somewhat pale, the flow is heavy, and they may experience dizziness. They may also have breast distension and pain before their period and significant mood swings. They need "dredging" to soothe the Liver and relieve depression, primarily treated with modified Tiao Gan Tang (Liver-Regulating Decoction), and can also practice abdominal breathing.
The third pattern is Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis. Dr. Lin stated that women with this pattern experience persistent abdominal pain during menstruation, sometimes as sharp as a needle prick. The menstrual blood is dark in color, the flow is scanty, but there are many blood clots. They need "circulation." The treatment principle is to promote Qi flow and blood circulation, resolve stasis, and stop pain, using Shu Gan Jie Yu Tang (Liver-Soothing and Depression-Relieving Decoction) or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel and Safflower Four-Substance Decoction). Prolonged sitting is prohibited, and a 20-minute brisk walk is recommended daily.
The fourth pattern is the Wind-Cold pattern. Dr. Lin said that women with this pattern experience cramping in the lower abdomen during menstruation and are prone to diarrhea during their period. This is a cold-type pain, and heat application can help relieve it. They need "warmth." The treatment principle is to warm the meridians and dispel cold, using Wen Jing Tang (Menstrual-Warming Decoction). Foot baths can also help, or one can choose "Moxibustion on the Navel" for deep warming to dispel cold.
Dr. Lin recommends menstrual care teas. For those with high stress and breast distension, she suggests steeping 5 grams of Buddha's Hand (Fingered Citron) with 5 grams of Rosebuds to soothe the Liver and regulate Qi. For those with a cold lower abdomen and cold-type pain, she recommends a warming uterine tea made with 7 grams of Longan and 10 grams of Red Dates to warm and unblock the meridians. For those with stabbing abdominal pain and blood clots, she suggests a tea made with 10 grams of Motherwort, 5 grams of Cyperus, 5 grams of Red Peony Root, and 5 grams of Corydalis, with an appropriate amount of Brown Sugar, to resolve stasis and stop pain.
Dr. Lin highlighted five daily habits to stay away from period pain. These include regularly pressing acupoints such as Zigong (Uterus), Guanyuan (CV4), Xuehai (SP10), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Neiguan (PC6), or seeking TCM "Moxibustion on the Navel." At the same time, one should strengthen the lower body with deep breathing exercises to maintain Qi and blood circulation in the pelvic cavity. During menstruation, avoid high-salt, high-sodium, high-sugar, processed, and raw or cold foods. Additionally, keep the abdomen warm and maintain emotional stability to prevent Liver Qi stagnation. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150604
Dr. Lin Yi-jun, a TCM practitioner at a clinic, told a Central News Agency reporter in a written statement today that medically, dysmenorrhea is mainly divided into two types: primary dysmenorrhea, which is common in young, unmarried or nulliparous women, usually starting with their first period and recurring with each cycle; and secondary dysmenorrhea, which is common in adult women who did not originally have pain, caused by conditions like endometriosis or fibroids.
According to the "Gui Nu Gui" (Regulations for Women), Dr. Lin pointed out that dysmenorrhea is caused by a deficiency of Qi and Blood. Based on clinical observations, it can be broadly divided into the following four patterns. The first is the Qi and Blood Deficiency pattern, characterized by lower abdominal pain during menstruation, scanty, pale, and thin menstrual flow, a pale complexion, and easy fatigue. Massage can help alleviate symptoms, and these individuals need "replenishment," requiring them to avoid staying up late and not to diet for weight loss.
The second pattern is Kidney Deficiency and Liver Depression. Dr. Lin said that women with this pattern experience abdominal pain and lower back soreness during menstruation. The menstrual color is somewhat pale, the flow is heavy, and they may experience dizziness. They may also have breast distension and pain before their period and significant mood swings. They need "dredging" to soothe the Liver and relieve depression, primarily treated with modified Tiao Gan Tang (Liver-Regulating Decoction), and can also practice abdominal breathing.
The third pattern is Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis. Dr. Lin stated that women with this pattern experience persistent abdominal pain during menstruation, sometimes as sharp as a needle prick. The menstrual blood is dark in color, the flow is scanty, but there are many blood clots. They need "circulation." The treatment principle is to promote Qi flow and blood circulation, resolve stasis, and stop pain, using Shu Gan Jie Yu Tang (Liver-Soothing and Depression-Relieving Decoction) or Tao Hong Si Wu Tang (Peach Kernel and Safflower Four-Substance Decoction). Prolonged sitting is prohibited, and a 20-minute brisk walk is recommended daily.
The fourth pattern is the Wind-Cold pattern. Dr. Lin said that women with this pattern experience cramping in the lower abdomen during menstruation and are prone to diarrhea during their period. This is a cold-type pain, and heat application can help relieve it. They need "warmth." The treatment principle is to warm the meridians and dispel cold, using Wen Jing Tang (Menstrual-Warming Decoction). Foot baths can also help, or one can choose "Moxibustion on the Navel" for deep warming to dispel cold.
Dr. Lin recommends menstrual care teas. For those with high stress and breast distension, she suggests steeping 5 grams of Buddha's Hand (Fingered Citron) with 5 grams of Rosebuds to soothe the Liver and regulate Qi. For those with a cold lower abdomen and cold-type pain, she recommends a warming uterine tea made with 7 grams of Longan and 10 grams of Red Dates to warm and unblock the meridians. For those with stabbing abdominal pain and blood clots, she suggests a tea made with 10 grams of Motherwort, 5 grams of Cyperus, 5 grams of Red Peony Root, and 5 grams of Corydalis, with an appropriate amount of Brown Sugar, to resolve stasis and stop pain.
Dr. Lin highlighted five daily habits to stay away from period pain. These include regularly pressing acupoints such as Zigong (Uterus), Guanyuan (CV4), Xuehai (SP10), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Neiguan (PC6), or seeking TCM "Moxibustion on the Navel." At the same time, one should strengthen the lower body with deep breathing exercises to maintain Qi and blood circulation in the pelvic cavity. During menstruation, avoid high-salt, high-sodium, high-sugar, processed, and raw or cold foods. Additionally, keep the abdomen warm and maintain emotional stability to prevent Liver Qi stagnation. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150604
FAQ
Which acupoints are recommended for period pain?
Acupoints such as Zigong (Uterus), Guanyuan (CV4), Xuehai (SP10), Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Neiguan (PC6) are recommended.
What tea is good for cold-type period pain?
A warming uterine tea made with 7g of Longan and 10g of Red Dates is recommended.
What tea is recommended for period pain with many blood clots?
A tea made with 10g of Motherwort, 5g of Cyperus, 5g of Red Peony Root, and 5g of Corydalis with brown sugar is suggested.