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Premenstrual Syndrome & Hysteria

Classically referred to as 'Suffocation of the Mother'
Also called Pre-menstrual Tension or PMS.


Hysteria is a traditional classification where the mind and nerves are affected by the 'Uterus' [hormones]. It was associated with hyper-emotionalism, dramatic behavior, over-excitement, amnesia, sometimes leading to mania or psychosis.

According to some writers, the actual Uterus was believed to rise up into the abdomen, just as it can also fall (prolapse). However, this 'movement' is referring to the energetic movement upwards where the Womb (via the hormones) affects the Head, Mind and Spirit.

PMS refers to the symptoms which some women have, typically in the days or week leading up to the beginning of menstruation. Symptoms may be Mental-Emotional, or Physical:
  • Mental-Emotional: sadness, depression, anxiety, irritability, anger, mania
  • Physical: breast distention, menstrual cramping, abdominal distention, bloating

Symptoms that may accompany:
  • moodiness, hyper-emotionalism, crying, anger, mania
  • cramping, abdominal distention or pain
  • loss of appetite, nausea, despises food
  • weakness of the Heart, palpitations, fainting
  • choking feeling

These symptoms are due to disharmony in the progesterone-estrogen balance, the time between ovulation and menstruation being largely governed by progesterone.

In Traditional Medicine this falls within the category of 'Hysteria', that is, from the Greek husterikos, 'of the Womb'.
Hysteria was often described as a 'Rising of the Womb'. Later anatomists scoffed at this idea as the Uterus is bound tightly with ligaments. But its highly likely the original intention was a rising of 'Vital Spirit (Qi)' from the Uterus. In other words, the energetic effect of the Uterus on the Mind and Body, similar to the Qi Stagnation of TCM. In any case, the recognition of this being related to the Uterus, and therefore the hormones, was classically known.

Treatment generally aims to move Qi and relieve Qi stagnation. In cases with marked deficiency, tonics are indicated.


A Database Review from Taiwan:
A huge review of all prescriptions written for PMS in Taiwan between 1998-2011 (a total of 14, 312, prescriptions), revealed:
  • Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Jia Wei Xiao Yao San) was most common used (37.5% of all prescriptions) and was most common core formula prescribed (with modification).
  • Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San was commonly combined with Cyperus rotundus (most common addition)
  • Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San was also commonly used with Chinese Motherwort (Yi Mu Cao)
See the Research below.


Shu-Yu Capsule
Shu-Yu Capsule is a new formulation based on the classic Chai Hu formulas of TCM. It is composed of 4 herbs:
  • Paeonia (Bai Shao), Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Licorice (Gan Cao), Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu)
This has been well researched as being effective for Depression and Depression related to PMS.


Bai Xiang Dan
Similar to the preceding, it is composed of:
  • Paeonia (Bai Shao), Paeonia suffruticosa (Mu Dan Pi), Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu)
This is better for cases with Heat symptoms.
It has also been studied and found effective for Premenstrual Syndrome. See research below


Western Tradition

Simples
Agnus Castus
Peony
Rose
Camomile
Cyperus rotundus
Turmeric
Saffron

Rue
Pennyroyal
Sandalwood
St. Johns wort
Sage
Asparagus Shatavari
Pearl


Simple Remedies
1. Honey of Roses with Agnus Castus powder

Formulas

Hysteric Decoction
Decoction for the Womb (Schroder)
Emmenagogue Decoction (Riverius)
Syrup of Mugwort (Augustana)
Syrup of Agnus Castus
Tincture of Balm
Tincture of Dried Roses
Tincture of Sage
Hysteric Powder (Quercetan)
Powder for Hysteria
Powder for Hysteria with Agnus Castus
Cooling Powder of Gems
Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton Frigidum)
Powder to Promote Menstruation (Riverius)
Troches of Agnus Castus
Electuary for the Womb (Schroder)
Triphera Greater (Nicholas)
Uterine Powder (Species Hysterica)
TCM Classification

Simples
Dang Gui
Paeonia Mu Dan Pi
Cyperus rotundus Xiang Fu
Paeonia Bai Shao
Bupleurum Chai Hu
Motherwort Yi Mu Cao


Qi Stagnation

Xiao Yao San
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Si Ni San


Qi Stagnation with Heat / Liver Heat

Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San


Qi and Blood Deficiency

Gui Pi Tang






Special Formula:
HYSTERIC  PILLS
    Peony seed
    Agnus Castus
    Calamus                                 1 dram each
    Siler montane
    Rue
    Cumin                                     2 scruples each
    Carrot seed
    Ameos seed
    Aniseed
    Fennel seed
    Caraway
    Cyperus                                  ½ dram each
    Calamint
    Rocket seed.                          1 scruple each
With syrup of Calamint, form 7 pills from 1 dram. Dose is 3 pills every second morning before food. (The Secrets of Alexis, 1615)


 


Research:
AGNUS CASTUS
1. Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials.
2. Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review.
3. The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
4. Efficacy and safety of Vitex agnus-castus extract for treatment of premenstrual syndrome in Japanese patients: a prospective, open-label study.
5. Use of Vitex agnus-castus in migrainous women with premenstrual syndrome: an open-label clinical observation.
6. Evaluating therapeutic effect in symptoms of moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese women.

OTHER HERBS
7. Effect of Melissa officinalis capsule on the mental health of female adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: a clinical trial study.
8. Effect of Melissa officinalis Capsule on the Intensity of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in High School Girl Students.
9. The efficacy of Hypericum perforatum (St John's wort) for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
10. Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
11. A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba L. in treatment of premenstrual syndrome.
12. Effects of Zataria Multi-Flora, Shirazi thyme, on the Severity of Premenstrual Syndrome.

GENERAL
13. Understanding premenstrual syndrome from a Chinese medicine perspective.
14. Identifying Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome: implications from a nationwide database.
15. A controlled trial of Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome.
16. Herbal treatments for alleviating premenstrual symptoms: a systematic review.
17. The effectiveness and safety of Iranian herbal medicines for treatment of premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review.
18. Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review.
19. Efficacy of acupuncture in management of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review.
20. [Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with Chinese medicine formula, baixiangdan capsule: implications for neuron viability and GABA(A) receptor modulation in rat cortex].

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