My cycle in terms of days is extremely predictable (you can read more here), but my symptoms throughout may vary. There are times when my PMS is worse than normal and once I get my period I feel light years better. Sometimes after my period I feel completely depleted. And sometimes it’s a bit of both. So what do I do? I play with the dosages of the Women’s Monthly Kit.
I love both formulas, but I reach for Xiao Yao San not just around my cycle—it’s also a go-to during stressful times, after intense workouts, or when I’m feeling occasional tension or discomfort.
Imagine sitting in a car in heavy traffic. The longer you sit, the more your body begins to "stagnate"
I also regularly use Xiao Yao San in the few days leading up to my period. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Xiao Yao San is used to support the body’s natural balance and promote a sense of emotional ease during times of stress.
Imagine sitting in a car in heavy traffic. The longer you sit in traffic, the tighter your back, hips, neck and shoulders feel, and as you continue to tighten up, you start to get more easily annoyed. This is not just road rage - it’s a physiological response your body is having to being stagnant. The irritability is heat trying to be released from the body.
Our bodies are meant to move, allowing our blood to circulate and nourish our muscles, tissues and brain. When this stops, it causes a physiological shift. The week before a woman’s cycle, there is an intentional stagnation happening: A buildup of blood to move out of the body. In TCM, it’s believed that changes in internal energy flow throughout the menstrual cycle can affect how we feel emotionally, and herbs like those in Xiao Yao San have long been used to support harmony during these transitions.
The Rebuilding Process & Working From a Deficit: Si Wu Tang
After the period, the rebuilding begins. Through our day-to-day lives, we are in a constant state of stress and are always pushing for the next project, errand, meeting, or event. Because of our modern lifestyle, we are often working from a deficit. This makes the time right at the end of the period and right after the period more difficult for our bodies.
If we don’t have the energy required to do our day to day at 100%, how can we expect our bodies to handle an additional task of rebuilding what was lost during our period? Enter Si Wu Tang (Four Substance). This is a particularly helpful formula for times when I want to support my body’s natural rhythms and overall energy. It’s designed to support the body’s natural recovery process without placing extra demand on your everyday energy reserves.
This is another formula I turn to during times of low energy from mental strain or overwork. I often recommend it at the end of the cycle, when the body naturally benefits from added support and replenishment.
Depending on how I feel during my cycle, I adjust how I use these formulas to support balance and overall well-being, in line with TCM practices. And sometimes I feel pretty good, and the signs are super mild, but I know using these formulas together is a great way to maintain a sense of balance and monthly rhythm in line with TCM principles.
They’re a gentle support system to combating the modern lifestyle we all are a part of and need to thrive in. Maybe it is more like the Modern Women’s Monthly Kit... but I like to call it my Super Women’s Monthly Kit.
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.
Dr. Nell Smircina, DAOM, L.Ac., Dipl. OM is a licensed acupuncturist specializing in post-surgical rehabilitation and athletic recovery. She maintains her private practice in Beverly Hills, CA. Nell has worked extensively with the Veteran population in Los Angeles through different community acupuncture initiatives, and in her free time enjoys living a fit and active life in Southern California. Follow her on Instagram @bewellwithdrnell.
