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Chinese Patent Remedies for Menopause

One of the characteristics of menopause is that symptoms tend to come and go, once a problem goes, another comes to take its place. Normally, menopause begins when a woman is in her 40s and it will last until the age of 60. Depending on overall health, diet and lifestyle, the whole transitional period can take 20 years to finish. The lingering nature of menopause is partly due to inadequate long-term management. Chinese patent remedies provide general tonifying effects for a woman's health; they promote internal harmony and empower the body to respond to stresses occurring at this time. They can also reduce some of the long-term health risks after menopause such as osteoporosis or heart disease.


The six ingredients in Rehmannia Pill

Many of the patent remedies are made from classic formulas that handed down for generations and are marketed under the name of the original formula. Since they are relatively low in cost and readily available, TCM physicians like to prescribe them as long-term treatment options. Below are some of the popular ones.

Chinese Name 六味地黃丸
Pinyin liu wei di huang wan
English name Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia
Actions Relieves menopause symptoms due to kidney yin deficiency
Indicated symptoms pattern Dizziness, ear ringing, mild hot flashes, sweating, back soreness, hot sensations in the palms and soles, prolonged or heavy menses flow, yellowish urine, mouth dryness and constipation.
Contraindications Aversion to cold, puffiness, stomach upset and loose bowels

Chinese Name 杞菊地黃丸
Pinyin qi ju di huang wan
English name Rehmannia Pills Plus Wolfberry and Chrysanthemum
Actions Relieves menopause symptoms due to kidney and liver deficiencies
Indicated symptoms pattern Blurred vision, eye dryness or soreness or watery eyes, ear ringing, dizziness, irritability, depression, poor memory, hot flashes, night sweating and back soreness
Contraindications Aversion to cold, puffiness, stomach upset and loose bowels

Chinese Name 知柏地黃丸
Pinyin zhi bo di huang wan
English name Rehmannia Pills Plus Anemarrhena and Cypress Bark
Actions Relieves menopause symptoms due to yin deficiency and virtual fire
Indicated symptoms pattern Hot flashes, night sweating, red faced, hot sensations in the chest, palms and soles, irritability, anxiety, mouth dryness or gums swelling, unstable blood pressure, dream-disturbed sleep, urinary difficulties and back soreness
Contraindications Aversion to cold, puffiness, stomach upset and loose bowels

Chinese Name 麥味地黃丸
Pinyin mai wei di huang wan
English name Rehmannia Pills Plus Lily-turf tuber and Schisandra
Actions Relieves menopause symptoms due to kidney and lung deficiency
Indicated symptoms pattern Hot flashes, excessive sweating, dizziness, ear ringing, thirst, mouth dryness, breath shortness or coughing, palpitations, and sleeping difficulties
Contraindications Aversion to cold, puffiness, stomach upset and loose bowels

Chinese Name 金匱腎氣丸
Pinyin jin kui shen qi wan
English name Kidney Qi Pill from the Golden Chamber
Actions Relieves menopause symptoms due to kidney yang deficiency and essence depletion
Indicated symptoms pattern Lassitude, limb coldness, lower back pain, heaviness in the lower abdomen, abdominal distention, loose bowels, poor appetite, puffiness, excessive thin vaginal discharge or heavy menses
Contraindications Individuals with hot flashes should be used in caution.

Chinese Name 消遙散
Pinyin Shao yao wan
English name Free and Easy Wanderer Pill
Actions Soothes the liver and tonifies the spleen so as to nourish the blood and regulate sex organs
Indicated symptoms pattern Anxiety, depression, easily angered, lassitude, body weakness, headache, blurred vision, chest tightness, breast tenderness, insomnia and menstrual irregularities

Chinese Name 天王補心丹
Pinyin tian wang bu xin dan
English name Heaven King Heart-Nourish Pellets
Actions Nourishing heart, calming spirit, clearing heat and enriching yin
Indicated symptoms pattern Palpitations, insomnia, mental fatigue, irritability, poor memory, and dry stools

Chinese Name 甘麥大棗湯
Pinyin gan mai da cao tang
English name Liquorice, Wheat & Jujube Decoction
Actions Nourishing heart and calming the spirit
Indicated symptoms pattern Mood swings, absentmindedness, excessive weeping or sadness, irritability, unease mind, poor sleep and frequent yawning

Chinese Name 人參歸脾丸
Pinyin ren seng gui pi wan
English name Ginseng Spleen-restoring Bolus
Actions Invigorating the spleen and heart
Indicated symptoms pattern Insomnia, palpitations, poor appetite, fatigue, sallow face, anemia, heavy menses and excessive vaginal discharge

In addition to being available as pills, these patent remedies can also be found as soft extracts, capsules, powders, syrups, tablets or granules. Find a reputable brand and carefully read the label before buying any drug.