Amenorrhea
This
refers to the lack of menstruation, either in isolated instances
(missing a period) or as part of a longer-term deficiency pattern.
There are specific formulas for inducing menstruation (see below),
but these would be ineffective (and further depleting) unless the
underlying blood deficiency is corrected. So treating amenorrhea
becomes a two-step process of tonification and stimulation.
Treatment Goal(s):
· Tonify blood and adrenal qi, stimulate menstruation.
.
Primary Treatment:
· Vitex agnus-castus, in tincture, administered at a dose
of one teaspoon once or twice daily.
· Administer Angelica sinensis (Dong Quai), Rhemannia glutinosa,
and Urtica diotica (Nettles) as blood and qi tonics.
· Ensure the diet is adequate and not deficient in whole
grains and blood-building protein. Supplementing the diet with organic,
quality animal protein is appropriate if acceptable to the patient.
Supportive
Treatment:
· Emmenagogue blends are indicated if there is no chance
of pregnancy, or to stimulate menstruation when no periods have
yet been missed. Here is a sample formula:
Mentha pulegium (Pennyroyal) 2 parts Artemisia absinthium (Wormwood)
1 parts
Angelica archangelica (Angelica) 2 parts Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort)
2 parts
Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) 2 parts Zingiber officinalis (Ginger)
1 part
Differential
diagnoses, cautions, and other considerations:
· Do not use emmenagogue blends if the patient is deficient,
without first initiating a course of blood tonification. This may
take a few months, or more. Watch for signs of anemia.
