Category: Gynaecology, liver system, kidney system.

Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• clears excess heat, cools the blood
• tonifies kidney yin
• Zhi Beng – stops heavy menstrual bleeding
• harmonises the menstrual cycle

Description:

Beng Lou is a Chinese term for excessive gynaecological bleeding that occurs outside the cycle, unexpectedly. However, the mixture also excellently addresses bleeding during menstruation (it is very heavy and the menstrual cycle is usually shortened). The bleeding is therefore heavy, with gushes of blood, the blood seems to drip constantly, or persistent spotting occurs. The colour of the blood is bright red or crimson, sometimes with purple clots, and the blood is thick. Problems with urination may occur, and the urine is usually darker. Excess heat dries out fluids, so the woman often has a dry mouth and thirst. Heat also disturbs the Shen spirit – there is often irritability, leading to anxiety and poorer sleep.

The most common sources of excess heat are either the heart or, even more often, the liver, which also has a close relationship to menstruation itself. The liver fills the Chong Mai – the central vessel that triggers menstruation – with blood. When heat then enters there, it expels blood either at an unexpected moment and/or too strongly. Heat is most often formed in them from stagnation, which is caused by either emotions or a deficiency of blood. And because the bleeding itself causes a great loss of blood, the vicious circle closes... Heat can also enter the blood from empty heat due to a deficiency of yin substances, which turn into fire.

To effectively resolve this syndrome, we must clear the heat, nourish yin/blood and stop the bleeding. The first function is performed by rehmannia and peony, which clear heat from the blood, and by gardenia, scutellaria and phellodendron, which clear heat from the liver and the triple burner, drain fire and thereby stop the bleeding. In addition, we also have "direct" haemostatics here – sanguisorba and platycladus. Rehmannia tonifies yin, and oyster settles the liver and calms the Shen spirit.

The mixture therefore acts comprehensively on all levels.

Indications:

• excessive gynaecological bleeding outside the cycle (due to heat)
• heavy menstruation (due to heat)
• red or purple, thicker menstrual blood
• spotting
• shortened menstrual cycle
• feelings of heat, thirst
• dark urine, tendency to constipation
• dry mouth
• dry, cracked lips
• headaches
• mental restlessness, anxiety

Modern use:

• menorrhagia – excessive bleeding during menstruation
• metrorrhagia – excessive gynaecological bleeding outside the cycle

Tongue:

• red
• yellow coating

Pulse:

• Shu (rapid)

Contraindications:

• absence of excess heat
• yang deficiency

Note:

It is generally said that we need at least three cycles to regulate the menstrual cycle. However, the mixture is not administered alone for longer – it is necessary to address the root of the problem, i.e., why the heat is being formed, and most often to tonify liver blood and kidney yin.

Composition of the formula: