Chi Shao Radix Paeoniae rubrae 6 g

Yi Mu Cao Herba Leonori heterophylli 6 g

Gou Ji Rhizoma Cibotii barometz 4 g

Gou Qi Zi Fructus Lycii chinensis 9 g

Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae 12 g

Explanation The first seven herbs constitute the Tiao Gan Tang which nourishes
Liver and Kidneys.

Chi Shao and Yi Mu Cao move Blood and stop pain.

Gou Ji was added to tonify Kidney-Yang and strengthen the back and

knees.

Gou Qi Zi was added to nourish Liver-Yin.

Sheng Di Huang was added to nourish Kidney-Yin.

This patient was treated with this decoction (with slight variations) for 6

months, producing a cure in the dysmenorrhoea. After a further 6

months of treatment with the same decoction taken on alternate weeks,

she conceived and delivered a healthy baby.

Prognosis

Both acupuncture and Chinese herbs either singly or in combination give excellent results in
dysmenorrhoea and the overwhelming majority of cases can be cured. The Empty types are
easier to treat than the Full types. Of the Full types, the one from Damp-Heat is the most difficult
to treat while the one from stagnation of Qi and Blood is the easiest. Of course, in many patients
there is a mixed condition of Deficiency and Excess, in which case one concentrates on treating
the stagnation in the two weeks before the periods and the Deficiency in the two weeks after. In
some cases, it is better to eliminate pathogenic factors before tonifying: see case history above.

In any menstrual problem, it takes a minimum of three menstrual cycles to regulate Blood and
the Directing and Penetrating Vessels. Three months is therefore the very minimum time for the
treatment to be successful.

If dysmenorrhoea is due to endometriosis (see below) the treatment will take considerably longer
than for functional dysmenorrhoea.

Western Differentiation