Blossom (Phase 3) ™ Ovulatory Phase
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
* Female infertility - ovulatory phase formula
WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
* Regulatory effect to promote normal menstruation
* Regulatory effect on the endocrine system to promote production and secretion of hormones
CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
* Tonifies Kidney yang
* Replenishes Kidney jing (essence)
* Mildly moves blood in the lower jiao
DOSAGE
Take 4 to 6 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach. Discontinue use when the patient becomes pregnant.
INGREDIENTS
Ba Ji Tian (Radix Morindae Officinalis)
Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba)
Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis)
Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii)
Lu Jiao Shuang (Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum)
Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni)
Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata)
Suo Yang (Herba Cynomorii)
Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae)
Xiao Hui Xiang (Fructus Foeniculi)
Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci)
Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri)
Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii)
FORMULA EXPLANATION
Blossom (Phase 3) is developed specifically for phase 3 – the ovulatory phase, during the week of ovulation. The ovulatory stage is when Kidney yin is turning into yang and ovulation occurs with a peak in temperature. The primary treatment strategy is to help the eggs mature and promote ovulation. Kidney yang tonic herbs have the effect to enhance the surge of luteinizing hormone (LH), which then stimulates ovulation. To facilitate ovulation, mild blood-moving herbs are also added.
Suo Yang (Herba Cynomorii) is traditionally used for infertility, low libido, lack of Kidney jing (essence) and other Kidney yang deficiency conditions. It is used here with Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii), Lu Jiao Shuang (Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum), Xu Duan (Radix Dipsaci) and Ba Ji Tian (Radix Morindae Officinalis) to boost the yang and promote ovulation. Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae) tonifies both Kidney yin and yang and is an essential herb for treating infertility. Xiao Hui Xiang (Fructus Foeniculi) warms the Kidney and the womb in preparation for pregnancy. Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata), Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii), Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba) and Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni) support Kidney yin for two purposes: first, to enhance the effects of the yang tonics, as both Kidney yin and yang should always be tonified together for maximum effect; second, to prevent the yang tonics from creating deficiency fire. Yang tonics as described above promote the release of the egg. Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) tonifies blood and Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri) moves the blood, which increases blood supply to the ovaries to induce the contraction of the muscles pulling the ovaries closer to the fallopian tubes, thus facilitating the movement of the egg into the fallopian tube.
CAUTIONS & CONTRAINDICATIONS
* This formula should be discontinued when the patient becomes pregnant.
* This herbal formula contains herbs that invigorate blood circulation, such as Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis). Therefore, patients who are on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies, such as Coumadin (warfarin), should use this formula with caution, or not at all, as there may be a higher risk of bleeding and bruising.[1],[2],[3]
ACUPUNCTURE TREATMENT
Traditional Points:
* Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Zusanli (ST 36), Shenshu (BL 23), Taixi (KI 3), Taichong (LR 3), Neiguan (PC 6)
Classic Master Tung's Points:
* Infertility: Fuke (T 11.24), Huanchao (T 11.06), Tongshen (T 88.09), Tongbei (T 88.11), Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21), Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Mufu (T 88.38)*, Tianhuang (T 88.13), Minghuang (T 88.12), Qihuang (T 88.14). Moxa the lower abdomen for at least 30 minutes each day.
* Menstruation (excess amount): Fuke (T 11.24), Xinling (T 33.17)*, Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21)
* Menstruation (scanty amount): Fuke (T 11.24), Wanshunyi (T 22.08), Wanshuner (T 22.09), Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21), Tianhuang (T 88.13), Minghuang (T 88.12), Qihuang (T 88.14)
* Menstruation (delayed): Linggu (T 22.05), Renhuang (T 77.21), Sihuashang (T 77.08), Menjin (T 66.05). Moxa the sacral area.
* Menstruation (absence): Fuke (T 11.24), Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Tianhuang (T 77.17), Dihuang (T 77.19), Renhuang (T 77.21), Tianhuang (T 88.13), Minghuang (T 88.12), Qihuang (T 88.14)
* Menstruation (flooding and spotting): Jiemeiyi (T 88.04), Jiemeier (T 88.05), Jiemeisan (T 88.06), Liuwan (T 66.08), Yinbai (SP 1), Renhuang (T 77.21), Dihuang (T 77.19)
Master Tung’s Points by Dr. Chuan-Min Wang:
* Infertility: Huanchao (T 11.06), Fuke (T 11.24), Tongshen (T 88.09)
Balance Method by Dr. Richard Tan:
* Left side: Hegu (LI 4), Linggu (T 22.05), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Lougu (SP 7), Sanyinjiao (SP 6)
* Right side: Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7), Tongli (HT 5), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40)
* Alternate sides from treatment to treatment.
Auricular Medicine by Dr. Li-Chun Huang:
* Infertility: Uterus, Kidney, Liver, Endocrine, Lower Jiao, Ovary, Gonadotropin, Thalamus, Pituitary
* Irregular menstruation: Pituitary, Endocrine, Ovary, Uterus, Kidney, Liver, Lower Jiao, Gonadotropin
* Hypomenorrhea and amenorrhea: Uterus, Ovary, Exciting, Pituitary, Endocrine, Kidney, Liver, Sympathetic, Gonadotropin, Coronary Vascular Subcortex, Nervous Subcortex
* Excessive menstruation or bleeding in between periods: Uterus, Spleen, Diaphragm, Endocrine, Pituitary, Liver, Kidney, Ovary, Adrenal Gland
NUTRITION
* During the ovulatory phase, patients are advised to eat more lamb, which increases warmth of the body.
The Tao of Nutrition by Dr. Maoshing Ni and Cathy McNease:
* Make a fertility-enhancing trail mix consisting of equal parts of dried cranberries, walnuts, sesame seeds, longan fruits, and cashews.
PHARMACOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL RESEARCH
Blossom (Phase 3) is developed for phase 3 - the ovulatory phase, during the week of ovulation. To ensure proper maturation of eggs and subsequent ovulation, this formula uses herbs with a regulatory effect on the endocrine system to promote normal menstruation along with the production and secretion of hormones.
According to several studies, administration of Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) is associated with both stimulating and inhibiting effects on the uterus, thereby exhibiting an overall regulatory effect on menstruation.[4] Because of this regulatory effect, Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) is beneficial and can be used before, during and after menstruation.
To regulate ovulation, Blossom (Phase 3) uses many herbs with marked endocrinological effects to promote the production and secretion of various hormones. For example, use of Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata) is associated with a marked stimulating effect on the endocrine system, with the mechanism of action attributed to inhibiting negative feedback signals to the pituitary gland.[5] According to another study, administration of Ba Ji Tian (Radix Morindae Officinalis) also has a stimulant effect on the endocrine system and increases the production and release of hormones.[6] Most importantly, use of Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii) has a stimulant effect on the endocrine system by increasing the production and secretion of endogenous hormones such as corticosterone, cortisol, and testosterone.[7] Lastly, this formula uses many herbs to facilitate and enhance the overall effect of therapy. Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii) and Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri) both have stimulating effects on the reproductive organs, namely the uterus, to prepare for conception.[8],[9]
In short, this is an excellent formula specifically designed for women in phase 3 – the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle. It contains herbs that regulate menstruation, promote the production and secretion of hormones, and prepare the uterus for conception.