Use of the formula according to Traditional Chinese Medicine:

• nourishes the kidneys and liver (Jing essence and yin)
• softens the liver
• subdues Yang
• calms the Shen spirit

Description:

Menopause is a natural transition in a woman's life that marks the end of the regular cycle; the ovaries stop producing eggs every four weeks – the woman stops menstruating and can no longer conceive. The average age at which a woman reaches menopause is 52, although it can occur as early as 30 or 40, in which case we speak of premature menopause. It is caused by a drop in oestrogen, the female sex hormone that regulates menstruation. When its level drops, hormonal and biological changes occur. Menopause can cause a whole range of physical and psychological symptoms. The first symptom is usually an irregularity in the menstrual cycle. It often becomes shorter first, then longer. The intervals between individual periods lengthen until menstruation stops completely. Other symptoms are listed below. They usually persist for two to five years before disappearing, but they can last longer. Vaginal symptoms, such as dryness, can sometimes persist and worsen with age.

According to TCM, the changes during menopause are primarily caused by a deficiency of Jing essence, which is similar to oestrogen. Jing is stored in the kidneys, the organ responsible for growth, maturation and ageing. Jing essence belongs to kidney yin, the concept of which is cooling and nourishing. If there is a deficiency of yin, heat arises with symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats, heart palpitations and insomnia. Furthermore, there is stagnation of liver Qi. The liver regulates the smooth flow of blood and emotions, while the liver meridian passes through the reproductive area. Therefore, mood swings, depression and headaches or dizziness may occur.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been successfully helping women in menopause for thousands of years and continues to do so today. It allows for a safe, gentle and natural transition that gives women the opportunity to strengthen and harmonise the body, mind and spirit without the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It is a fact that while most Western women experience noticeable climacteric symptoms, only 10% of Chinese women experience the same. It is assumed that this difference is caused by two factors: diet and Chinese herbal treatment.

Kun Bao Tang is used to treat hormonal imbalances caused by menopause or even for symptoms that are similar to menopause, such as hot flushes, restlessness and insomnia, dizziness, tinnitus, dry eyes and dry skin, poor memory, irritability and moodiness. The basis of the formula is an incomplete Liu Wei Di Huang Wan – a basic formula for replenishing kidney and liver yin, enriched with herbs that further nourish yin and blood, clear heat, thereby softening – opening the liver, moisturising mucous membranes, subduing yang (stopping headaches, tinnitus and dizziness) and calming the Shen spirit.

Indications:

• cycle irregularities
• hot flushes with sweating, night sweats
• headaches
• dizziness and light-headedness
• ringing, whistling in the ears – tinnitus
• dryness in the throat and mouth
• dry eyes
• dry skin and mucous membranes
• vaginal dryness and soreness
• loss of libido (sexual desire)
• urinary tract infections
• constipation
• sleep problems, such as insomnia
• irritability and mood swings
• anxiety or depression
• fatigue
• weakness and soreness in the lower back and knees
• joint pain

Modern use:

• menopausal syndrome

Tongue:

• dry
• red
• without coating or with a small amount of coating

Pulse:

• xi
• ruo
• possibly xian, shu (fine, weak, possibly wiry, rapid)

Contraindications:

• at the beginning of administration, use more gradually in patients with spleen deficiency

Notes:

An extremely effective mixture, especially when it is necessary to subdue rising yang (stop headaches, tinnitus and dizziness), calm the psyche and support sleep.

Composition of the formula: