Premenstrual Syndrome & Hysteria
Also called Pre-menstrual Tension or PMS.Classically referred to as ‘Suffocation of the Mother’ “The cause if clearly Windy Vapors ascending from the Womb upwards” (Culpeper)
Hysteria
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. This is similar to the Chinese concept of Qi stagnation, or more correctly, improper flow of Qi.
As the Qi rose up to the Head, it would often affect the breathing or give a sensation of a blockage in the Throat. This is similar to the “Plum-Stone Qi” of TCM which is likewise associated with Qi blockage.
As it was associated with the Uterus, it was specific to women. In cases where a man had similar symptoms it is regarded as anotehr disease and was often classed with Epilepsy.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
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 regulate 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)
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)
Bai Xiang Dan
Similar to the preceding, it is composed of:
- Paeonia (Bai Shao), Paeonia suffruticosa (Mu Dan Pi), Cyperus rotundus (Xiang Fu)
It has also been studied and found effective for Premenstrual Syndrome. See research below
|
Western Tradition Simples
Simple Remedies 1. Honey of Roses with Agnus Castus powder 2. Nettle seed powder taken with wine relieves Uterine pain and settles Wind of the Uterus (Qi Stagnation). 3. A plaster of Galbanum applied to the umbilicus; “I never yet knew it fail” (Culpeper) 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 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 Troches for the Womb Triphera Greater (Nicholas) Uterine Powder (Species Hysterica) Podophyllum 25 (‘Ol se nyer lnga) (Tibetan) |
TCM Classification Simples
Qi Stagnation Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Shu Gan San Si Ni San Qi Stagnation with Blood Deficiency Hei Xiao Yao San Qi Stagnation with Heat / Liver Heat Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang Qi and Blood Deficiency Gui Pi Tang Blood Stagnation Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan Dang Gui Shao Yao San Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang |
Special Formula
|
“STRANGLING OF THE UTERUS” Asafetida 1 dram Carrot (seed) ½ dram Powder, mix with Honey and form 5 Pills. Take one every morning to preserve from and heal. (Alexis) 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
–Vitex agnus-castus extracts for female reproductive disorders: a systematic review of clinical trials.
–Vitex agnus castus for premenstrual syndrome and premenstrual dysphoric disorder: a systematic review.
–The treatment of premenstrual syndrome with preparations of Vitex agnus castus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
–Efficacy and safety of Vitex agnus-castus extract for treatment of premenstrual syndrome in Japanese patients: a prospective, open-label study.
–Use of Vitex agnus-castus in migrainous women with premenstrual syndrome: an open-label clinical observation.
–Evaluating therapeutic effect in symptoms of moderate-to-severe premenstrual syndrome with Vitex agnus castus (BNO 1095) in Chinese women.
OTHER HERBS
–Effect of Melissa officinalis capsule on the mental health of female adolescents with premenstrual syndrome: a clinical trial study.
–Effect of Melissa officinalis Capsule on the Intensity of Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in High School Girl Students.
–The efficacy of Hypericum perforatum (St John’s wort) for the treatment of premenstrual syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
–Efficacy of Chamomile in the Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome: A Systematic Review.
–Curcumin attenuates severity of premenstrual syndrome symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
–A randomized, placebo-controlled trial of Ginkgo biloba L. in treatment of premenstrual syndrome.
–Effects of Zataria Multi-Flora, Shirazi thyme, on the Severity of Premenstrual Syndrome.
GENERAL
–A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Premenstrual Syndrome with Special Emphasis on Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Supplements.
–Understanding premenstrual syndrome from a Chinese medicine perspective.
–Identifying Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome: implications from a nationwide database.
–A controlled trial of Chinese herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome.
–Herbal treatments for alleviating premenstrual symptoms: a systematic review.
–The effectiveness and safety of Iranian herbal medicines for treatment of premenstrual syndrome: A systematic review.
–Effects and treatment methods of acupuncture and herbal medicine for premenstrual syndrome/premenstrual dysphoric disorder: systematic review.
–Efficacy of acupuncture in management of premenstrual syndrome: a systematic review.
–[Treatment of premenstrual syndrome with Chinese medicine formula, baixiangdan capsule: implications for neuron viability and GABA(A) receptor modulation in rat cortex].