Properties: Bitter, slightly acrid, neutral
Meridans Entered:
Primary: Liver, Kidney, Spleen
Traditional Actions/Indications:
- Regulates Qi to gently move Blood
Premenstrual disorders with breast tenderness, swelling, bloating, depression, mood swings, irritability, anger, tension, headaches and constipation
Menstrual irregularity, including polymenorrhoea, oligomenorrhoea and amenorrhoea
Infertility due to cycle disorders, secondary amenorrhoea, or corpus luteum insufficiency
Insufficient lacatation due to stress
Hormone fluctuations during perimenopause with the symptoms listed above
Suggested Daily Dosage: 1.5 - 3g dried herb in decoction or taken as powder in a single daily dose. Often recommended to start at the lower end of the dose.
Cautions: May cause gastrointestinal disturbances or skin reactions. Caution is advised during pregnancy and only used in the early stages. It may not be safe for women with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer.
Notable Constituents: Known for being high in phytoestrogens.
Notes:
Information is primarily taken from Ross, J. (2010), Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica and NCCIH (2025), Chasteberry, with a few modifications of my own to reflect current clinical usage.
Does not appear in any formulae listed on this site
Research Links & References: (click to display)
Research Links:
Reference Notes:
Individual herb information has sourced mainly from TCM Wiki and American Dragon for basic data and then updated manually with my own notes. Zhou, Xie and Yan (2011): Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicines, Vol. 5, and A+ Medical Encyclopaedia have been used for entries not available from those sources with additional material searched for and filled in where available. Western herbs not appearing in the Chinese literature have used Ross (2010): Combining Western Herbs and Chinese Medicine: A Clinical Materia Medica, White Rabbit Institute of Healing and therapeutika.ch. Choices of which source to use or combine have been my own.
These pages are intended to assist clinicians and are not intended for self-diagnosis or treatment for which a qualified professional should be consulted. Actions and indications are taken from traditional uses and do not necessarily reflect the evidence base which should be researched independently. Dosages are for guidance only and will vary dependening on the potency of the batch and the tolerance of the individual so should be evaluated by a professional based on individual needs.
