Asian Bodyworks 3Class 10

Timur Lokshin LMT, LAc.

Menstrual Cycle

Menses and Internal Organs TCM

• KD- Store essence which is the material basis for the formation of internal blood. Greatly influencing the physiology of women and especially puberty, fertility, conception, pregnancy, and menopause. With HT yang it creates Heavenly Gui which is menstrual blood and also the origin of sperm in men.

• LV- is of paramount importance in women’s physiology and menstruation, mostly through its relationship with the Uterus and Blood. If LV blood is deficient there may be amenorrhea, scanty periods or late periods all together. LF also has a significant influence on menstruation through the Qi. It moves blood via qi especially in the pre-menstrual phase, and is needed to prepare for the period. If the LV qi stagnates, it may case irregular menses, dysmenorrhea or pms.

• SP- makes blood which is then stored in the LV. Any deficiency of LV blood in women usually indicates that the SP needs tonifying. SP also influences the Uterus or Bladder through qi, Its ascending movement keeps it from prolaps. SP also gathers the blood, if it is deficient, it may leak and cause menorrhagia.

• HT-Governs the blood and has a general influence. Also HT yang works with the KD essence to create Heavenly Gui. HT therefor connects with the Uterus and affects the cycle by emotional state. Deficiency of Qi and Blood will affect the cycle and cause scanty periods or amenorrhea.

• LU- Have a minor influence on the cycle cause they govern qi. They can there for influence some pathological conditions such as prolaps, due to qi deficiency, usually of the SP. Their influence on the cycle can been seen when sadness or grief induce a depletion of qi and stoppage of menses.

• ST- Is connected to the Uterus via the passage of extraordinary vessels that pass through ST30 Qichong. This also explain the develpent of morning sickness cause it affects the Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel). St influences breastfeeding in mothers, it is also the source of Qi and Blood.

Extraordinary Vessels

• The menstrual function depends of the three EV. Ren Mai, Du Main and Chong Mai.

• Chong Mai is the most important extraordinary vessels and could be considered the origin of them all. It has a deep influence on the menstruation as it is the Sea of Blood. This vessel influences supply and proper movement of blood in the Uterus and controls menstruation in all aspects.

Chong Mai

• Ren Mai- is very closely related to the Uterus and the whole female reproductive system including internal and external genitalia. All problems of the cervix, vagina and vulva are related to the Ren Mai. It is called the Sea of the Yin Channels. It provides Yin to all of women’s physiological process and hormone gateways. Including puberty, conception, child birth, pregnancy and menopause. Chong mai on he other hand is closer related to the menstruation and its pathology dominated by blood stasis and qi stagnation.

• Du Mai- Considered the other branch to the Ren Mai and is the Sea of Yang. They create one continues energetic circle to keep yin and yang moving.

• Dai Mai- Is the only horizontal channel (belt like). It interrelates with and restrains the LV smooth flow of Qi and harmonizes the ascending and descending of both SP and KD. Therefor it is essential for the Dai Mai to be relaxed and stretched. It connects with LV13 (front Mu of SP)and UB23 (Back Shu of KD)

Du Mai

Dai Mai