↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method — technique below follows standard Excess/Deficiency treatment principle for each pattern, not tied to a specific point-by-point source.
Clinical manifestations: Breast tenderness and swelling before the period; distension along the ribs and flanks; irritability and mood swings; frequent sighing; brought on by stress and frustration, suppressed emotions, a sedentary lifestyle, or approaching menstruation; eased by gentle exercise, deep breathing, talking through emotions, or a calm environment.
Tongue: Normal or slightly dark body, red or slightly purple sides, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, especially taut at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Course the Liver, resolve constraint, nourish Blood and soften the Liver, strengthen the Spleen.
Nourish Blood, support Spleen
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Explosive anger and irritability; a bitter taste in the mouth; throbbing or distending temple pain; a red face and eyes; a dry mouth and throat; acid reflux; constipation with dry stools; brought on by anger and frustration, spicy or greasy food, alcohol, or stress before menstruation; eased by cooling food and drinks, a calm environment, avoiding alcohol, or gentle exercise.
Tongue: Red body, redder at the sides, yellow coating. Pulse: Wiry and Rapid, forceful at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Soothe Liver-Qi and release the constraint that fuels Heat, clear Heat while soothing the Liver.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Dizziness and ringing in the ears; night sweats and a hot sensation in the palms, soles and chest; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; scanty menstrual flow; insomnia with vivid dreams; dry eyes, mouth and throat; irritability and mood swings; brought on by ageing, chronic overwork, excessive sexual activity, or lack of sleep; eased by rest, avoiding stimulants in the evening, or a calm quiet environment before bed.
Tongue: Red, thin body with cracks, little or no coating, dry surface. Pulse: Fine, Rapid, Wiry, weak in the left Chi (Kidney) position.
Treatment principle: Nourish Liver and Kidney Yin, soothe the Liver and regulate Qi, nourish Blood and soften the Liver.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency).
Clinical manifestations: Premenstrual bloating and water retention; loose stools before the period; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; persistent fatigue and low energy; cold hands and feet; brought on by irregular meals, cold raw food and drinks, overwork, or chronic Spleen and Kidney weakness; eased by warm cooked food, rest, warmth on the lower back and abdomen, or moxibustion.
Tongue: Pale, swollen body with tooth marks, white moist coating. Pulse: Deep, Weak, Fine, especially weak at the right Guan and both Chi positions.
Treatment principle: Tonify Qi, strengthen the Spleen, drain Dampness.
Note: moxa applicable.
Clinical manifestations: Fixed, stabbing pain in the lower abdomen or breasts; dark menstrual blood with large clots; pain worse with pressure; dark circles under the eyes or dusky lips; a sharp, fixed premenstrual headache; brought on by an old injury, prolonged sitting or poor posture, cold exposure, or a long-standing untreated gynecological imbalance; eased by gentle movement, warmth, avoiding prolonged sitting, or gentle massage once the acute pain settles.
Tongue: Purple or dusky body with stasis spots, distended dark sublingual veins, thin white coating. Pulse: Choppy or Wiry.
Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood, dispel stasis, nourish Blood, regulate menstruation.
Invigorate Blood, dispel stasis
Note: no moxa. Blood-moving points should be used with caution or avoided if pregnancy is possible.
Clinical manifestations: Palpitations or a racing heart before the period; insomnia with difficulty falling asleep; vivid, disturbing dreams; mental restlessness and irritability; a hot sensation in the palms, soles and chest; night sweats; soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees; a dry mouth and throat; brought on by chronic stress, overwork, insufficient sleep, or approaching menstruation; eased by rest, cooling hydrating food, avoiding overheating, or a calm evening routine.
Tongue: Red body, thin with a redder tip, little or no coating, sometimes a midline crack. Pulse: Fine and Rapid, weaker at the rear (Kidney) position, more perceptible at the front (Heart) position on the left wrist.
Treatment principle: Nourish Yin, nourish Blood, tonify Heart-Qi, clear deficiency Heat, calm the Mind.
Note: no moxa (Yin deficiency).