Obstetrics and Gynecology have a long history in Chinese Medicine. The earliest records date from the Shang Dynasty (1500-1000 BC). One of our canon texts, the Huang Di Nei Jing (The Yellow Emperor’s Classic) recognized the distinct differences and special care that female physiology required. It describes diagnosis and effective treatments for a wide range of fertility, gynecological and pregnancy, and postpartum challenges.

It also lays out particular physical and energetic connections between organs and channels that are unique to female anatomy. For example, it talks about the function of the Uterus and its connection to the Heart and Kidneys via the Bao Mai (Uterus Vessel) and Bao Luo (Uterus Channel).

Chinese Medicine has so much to offer when it comes to many of the conditions that modern people experience in their reproductive health. One advantage is that we see the person as a whole. Reproductive health is intimately connected to our genetics, living conditions, environment, work, family, stress, nutrition, activity, etc. We do not seek to put a band-aid on symptoms, but rather get to the root causes of dis-ease.

“East Asian Medicine considers the whole person.”

Did you know that your menstrual cycle and life cycles are connected to the elements, seasonal qi, and the movement of celestial bodies like the sun and moon? We see the Womb as a continuum, where all the parts of your journey are connected. I like to call it the “Seasons of the Womb”. In simple terms, this means that nothing happens in isolation. Your health habits from your younger menstruating years will influence how you experience your later menstruating years and eventually menopause and beyond.

When we see and feel into our bodies as nature, we gain a greater understanding and felt-sense of how Chinese Medicine can unlock the secrets of our own healing journey. This blog post will offer insights into how Chinese Medicine can improve our emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being, by giving us the tools we need to start our journey to womb wellness.

The Womb

Womb magic refers to the power and wisdom that resides within the womb, and the ability to connect with this energy to promote healing, creativity, and transformation. The womb is not only a wondrous physical organ responsible for reproduction but it is also considered a sacred space that holds immense spiritual and energetic power.

In Chinese Medicine, it’s known as an extraordinary organ that can both hold and release. It's a portal of alchemy. We have 3 energy centers in the body and the uterus resides in the lower elixir field also known as the lower dantien or cinnabar field. It is our most physically based energy center having to do with the body, our root, and our center of gravity. It is an Earth-based energy center.

Chinese Medicine teaches us to live in sync with our outer and inner seasons in order to understand our cyclical nature. Many imbalances in reproductive health come from dismissing our true inner rhythm by trying to remain the same all month long or by overdoing it. Research shows that awareness of our menstrual cycles can help reduce pain and improve general health. Through centuries of practice, Chinese medicine has developed an effective and holistic approach to health and healing and is being increasingly used as an alternative form of healthcare. With Chinese Medicine, we discover a powerful way to support womb health in a natural and holistic way.

We take into account a variety of factors unique to each person. It is believed that the body has an internal energy system, and restoring balance to this system is key to restoring overall health and well-being. Chinese medicine takes into account the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of a person, seeking to re-establish balance in all these areas.

Menstrual pain is common but not normal

Menstruation is a time of release of not only our blood. Our blood carries our grief, sadness, joys, worries, anger, and fears. These emotions have an opportunity to cycle when we menstruate. If we don’t process our emotions and they become stuck, they can manifest in physical form. We receive guidance from our bodies when our menstrual cycles are out of harmony. All aspects of our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings are being called to be examined to determine what is true for us. Menstrual cycles are a reflection of our physical, emotional, and energetic well-being. They can help us reflect on the beliefs we hold about ourselves and our menstruating bodies. You can read more about the intimate connection of our emotions and womb health in this blog. 

During menstruation, we can take a moment to ask ourselves, 

What needs letting go?

Do you feel the emotional release of menstruation? 

How do you feel when your blood flows?

"Menstruation is a time that the [human] body uses in order to release what is known as emotional debris - essentially, it is a method through which the body is able to allow any residual emotion that has not been dealt with and stored within the Blood, to be purged along with the menstrual Blood (Tian Gui Shui). Similar to the way that the body will purge Heat in the Blood...

This is another reason why it is so important for the connection between the Uterus and the Heart to remain open via the Bao Mai. It is this mechanism that allows the emotional debris that is stored within the Heart to travel down to the Uterus and be expelled, enabling a [person] to ‘let go’ of emotions that have arisen during the last cycle." - Rob Aspell

The gift of Menstruation is that we have this beautiful opportunity to release what is longing to be free. 

Taking care of ourselves

Self-care rituals: A great way of diving deep into our emotional well-being is by immersing in self-care practices that honor our cyclical nature.

1. Journaling is a really good resource we can use for managing our emotions. It helps us by:

• Increasing our self-awareness by helping us understand what triggers our emotions and how they affect us

• Providing a safe space for expression

• Identifying patterns

• Emotional regulation

• Reducing stress

2. Keeping our feet warm

In Chinese medicine, the feet contain many important acupressure and reflexology points. A soothing herbal foot soak promotes circulation, improves sleep, detoxifies the body, and heals fungus and cracked skin. Keeping the feet warm is seen as an important way to promote circulation and support the body's natural healing abilities. Our favorite herbal soak is with Ai Ye (Asian Mugwort).

3. Movement

According to Chinese Medicine, stagnation of qi, blood, fluids, and emotions can cause an imbalance in bodily functions. One way of helping to free the flow is by exploring movement. Movement is necessary for life. When we dance, walk, or work out, we renew our energy and remove obstructions allowing our bodies to heal and regenerate. Exercise can improve circulation, reduce stress, and promote hormonal harmony.

4. Nutrition

Chinese medicine places great emphasis on the role of nutrition in promoting health and well-being. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of whole foods, fruits, and vegetables can help support womb wellness by providing the body with essential nutrients and supporting the flow of energy throughout the body. If you need some replenishment after your period you can try our After Moon Herbal Soup recipe here.

5. Rituals

Rituals can also be a powerful way to connect with the energy of the womb. This can include creating an altar with sacred objects that represent the womb or performing a ritual to honor the phases of our inner and outer cycles.

Other ways to help keep things circulating are herbal medicine, food therapy, emotional alchemy (check out our free course!), massage, and acupuncture.

Womb School

We are delighted to keep nurturing a seasonal community rooted in the womb, and in this year of the Yin Water Rabbit, we are so excited to be inviting you all to go deeper with us in a year-long Womb School Mentorship! This mentorship will explore Integrative Womb Medicine, 5-Element Theory, Seasonal Somatics, Space-Holding, Womb, Pelvic Embodiment and so much more.

Through this mentorship, we recognize and cultivate womb wisdom along the continuum from menarche to menopause, from birth to eldership. We are returning to a new-old way through a circular, multi-generational, body-up, earth-based approach and orientation.

This mentorship is for all health professionals and will provide acupuncture continuing education credits (PDA/CEU). Join the waitlist here.

Combining mind body spirit

Chinese Medicine places great emphasis on the interconnectedness of the mind, body, and spirit, and believes that imbalances in one area can impact others. By addressing the whole person and not just the physical symptoms of a condition, it aims to restore balance and harmony to the entire system. Practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, meditation, yoga, and qigong can be particularly helpful, as they focus on staying present in the mind, connecting with the body, and cultivating a deeper sense of spiritual awareness. By combining mind, body, and spirit in our approach to womb health and overall wellness, we can tap into a deeper level of healing and support the body's natural ability to restore balance and harmony. Chinese Medicine offers a wonderful perspective on health and wellness that can help us approach a more integrative and holistic way of living. 

Working on our Womb Health can completely transform how we experience life and restore this important connection for future generations. If you would like to learn more about how to connect to your menstrual cycle this Spring, read our blog post on Wood Element and the Menstrual Cycle here.

Love,

Sam and Kris ~ The Way of Yin Team