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Mugwort |
Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to infertility as “chung zi men,” which encompasses cases of inability to conceive or cases where conception occurs but the embryo cannot be maintained in the uterus for development.
There are many causes leading to infertility:
Due to Cold Deficiency
Symptoms: Cold sensation in the lower abdomen or severe abdominal pain, irregular menstrual cycle, pale menstrual flow, and low menstrual volume. Accompanying symptoms may include kidney deficiency (lower back pain, knee weakness, tinnitus, frequent urination, diminished sexual desire, low menstrual volume, pale tongue) or Yang deficiency (back pain as if broken, sallow complexion, cold limbs, weakness, fatigue, bland mouth, craving for spicy warm foods, delayed menstruation with white discharge, involuntary urination; pale tongue with white coating and sliminess).
Causes: During menstruation, due to lack of care, consuming too many cold raw foods, or exposure to cold winds invading the blood vessels, leading to stagnation in the uterus. This may also occur due to excessive sexual activity or sitting in damp places for prolonged periods, damaging the vital energy.
Herbal Formula: Mugwort, Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa (raw) each 16g; Peony root, Astragalus membranaceus, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Dipsacus asperoides each 12g; Cyperus rotundus 8g; Patchouli 20g; Cinnamon 4g. Boil the above ingredients in 2,400 ml of water, strain, and retain 200 ml. Take one dose daily, divided into three portions throughout the day.
If accompanied by kidney deficiency, use the formula: Atractylodes macrocephala, Peony root, Astragalus membranaceus, Ligusticum chuanxiong, Poria, Dipsacus asperoides each 12g; Angelica sinensis, Rehmannia glutinosa (raw) each 16g; Cyperus rotundus 8g; Patchouli 20g; Cinnamon 4g. Boil the above ingredients in 2,400 ml of water, strain, and retain 200 ml. Take one dose daily, divided into three portions throughout the day.
If Yang deficiency is present, use the formula: Atractylodes macrocephala, Cuscuta chinensis, Epimedium, Eucommia ulmoides each 16g; Ginseng, Cinnamon, and Dipsacus asperoides each 10g; Morinda root 20g; Aconitum carmichaelii 12g. Boil the above ingredients in 2,400 ml of water, strain, and retain 200 ml. Take one dose daily, divided into three portions throughout the day.
Due to Blood Deficiency
Symptoms: Dull yellow complexion, fatigue, dizziness, weakness; scanty, pale menstrual flow that is irregular; pale tongue, flabby, with thin coating.
Causes: The body has a deficiency of yin blood and cannot retain kidney essence for maturation and ovulation.
Herbal Formula: Rehmannia glutinosa (cooked) 40g; Angelica sinensis, Peony root, and Cornelian cherry each 20g. Boil the above ingredients in 2,000 ml of water, strain, and retain 200 ml. Take one dose daily, divided into three portions throughout the day.
Due to Damp-Phlegm
Symptoms: Obesity, sluggishness, nausea, dizziness, frequent palpitations, excessive thick white discharge; irregular and heavy menstrual flow.
Causes: Overweight women who consume excessive meat and alcohol generate damp-phlegm, which accumulates in the uterus, making conception difficult.
Herbal Formula: Pinellia ternata (processed), Patchouli each 20g; Citrus reticulata, fermented wheat (Shenqu), Poria each 12g; Ligusticum chuanxiong 16g. Boil the above ingredients in 2,000 ml of water, strain, and retain 200 ml. Take one dose daily, divided into three portions throughout the day.
Due to Liver Qi Stagnation
Symptoms: Mental unrest, stress, irritability, feelings of frustration; fullness or discomfort in the sides or abdominal distention; irregular menstrual cycle; red tongue with thin yellow coating.
Causes: Emotional turmoil and stagnation of liver qi disrupt the balance of qi and blood, leading to difficulties in conception.
Herbal Formula: Angelica sinensis, Atractylodes macrocephala, Patchouli each 20g; Peony root, Tianhua Fen (Corydalis yanhusuo), Poria each 12g; Peony root 40g. Boil the above ingredients in 2,400 ml of water, strain, and retain 200 ml. Take one dose daily, divided into three portions throughout the day.
Due to Blood Heat
Symptoms: Red face, dry rosy lips, frequent headaches before menstruation, dizziness, dry throat, bitter mouth, and feelings of heat; menstruation occurs early, with heavy bright red flow.
Causes: Consuming too many spicy and hot foods or having blood deficiency with excess heat damages the yin, leading to a deficiency of blood. Heat trapped in the Chong and Ren vessels disrupts normal connections, causing infertility.
Herbal Formula: Atractylodes macrocephala 16g; Peony root, Phellodendron, Ophiopogon each 12g; Stone lily 10g; Schisandra chinensis 4g; Glehnia littoralis, Black cohosh each 20g. Boil the above ingredients in 2,400 ml of water, strain, and retain 200 ml. Take one dose daily, divided into three portions throughout the day.
Dr. Tran Van Ban, Health & Life
