TCM series #5: Chinese dietary tips for menstrual problems

Diet is a causal factor in premenstrual syndrome (PMS); women can alleviate many symptoms by changing their diets. Reducing or eliminating alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, salt, dairy products and animal fats may be beneficial.

In the Chinese diet (and that includes herbs), one looks not only for vitamins and minerals but also the energetic properties of food like energy, flavor and movement. Other less important aspects include the meridian entered and organic actions; these refer to specific internal organs or the meridians on which the foods can act. Foods just like herbs possess specific functions to tonify, cleanse and regulate the body.

Certain foods can modulate the menstrual cycle in women. Below are the popular ingredients in Chinese dishes.

Name of the foods	Beneficial effects	Indications
Blackbone chicken	Nourish the liver and kidneys; replenish blood and qi (vital energy)	Heavy menses and excessive vaginal discharge
Sea cucumber	Nourish the kidneys, enrich the essence and replenish the blood	Heavy or scanty menses, excessive vaginal discharge and menopause
Cuttlefish	Nourish the yin and replenish the blood	Menopause due to blood deficiency
Chinese chives	Warm the middle burner, activate qi and dissolve stasis	Menstrual pain and irregular menses
Lamb	Replenish qi, warm middle burner and relax the bowels	Irregular menses and menstrual pain
Cumin	Warm kidneys and the uterus.	Menstrual pain and menopause
Cinnamon	Warm and smooth the meridians, expel coldness and warm the uterus	Menstrual pain and menopause
Red sugar	Warm the stomach, fortify the spleen, pacify the liver, dissolve stasis, activate the blood and lubricate the bowels	Menstrual pain, irregular menses after delivery
Hawthorn	Activate the blood and qi, dissolve stasis and stop pain	Menstrual pain and menopause
Mango	Regulate menses	Scanty menses and menopause
Clams	Nourish yin and clear heat	Heavy menses
Black fungus	Stop bleeding	Heavy menses
Lotus leaves	Stop bleeding	Heavy menses
Lotus root	Clear heat, cool blood, dissolve stasis and stop bleeding	Heavy menses

In order to have a smooth menstrual cycle, TCM always advises warm and cooked foods, and avoid too much food and drinks that are raw, frozen, not easily digested or spicy.