Chinese Dietary Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms
The menopausal transition can be associated with a wide range of symptoms, ranging from hot flushes and night sweats to anxiety and musculoskeletal pain. While some people experience relatively mild symptoms, for others, they can be debilitating, leading many to seek methods to relieve their suffering.
While hormone replacement therapy remains the mainstay of conventional treatment, many would prefer to avoid taking this route and opt for more natural alternatives instead. This may include treatments like acupuncture and massage, as well as supplements and herbal remedies.
However, in many cases, making simple dietary and lifestyle changes can provide significant benefits. Chinese dietary therapy is a modality that spans the divide between food and medicine, offering highly personalised eating plans that can both address specific symptoms and improve overall health.
Read on to learn more about how Chinese dietary therapy could help to relieve menopausal symptoms, and discover some of the best foods for menopause.
Menopause in Chinese Medicine
Menopause is barely mentioned in classical Chinese medicine texts, as it is largely viewed as a natural transition rather than a medical condition. However, in recent years, there has been increasing interest in how traditional Chinese medicine, including acupuncture and herbal medicine, can help to relieve menopausal symptoms.
In Chinese medicine, symptoms arise as a result of what are known as “patterns of disharmony,” suggesting that a particular substance or organ has been thrown out of its natural balance.
The names of these patterns often include the name of the affected substance and/or organ, and how it is being affected. For example, “yin deficiency” or “Kidney yin deficiency.”
Symptoms can also occur due to various pathogenic factors. These are usually exterior influences that alter the body’s internal environment, such as heat, cold, dryness, dampness, and wind.
Interior pathogenic factors can also occur secondary to other patterns or as a result of other pathogenic factors combining. For example, when heat and dampness combine, this can result in phlegm.
Common Menopausal Patterns
Many complex patterns of disharmony can occur during the menopausal transition, including numerous combined patterns as well as pathogenic factors, such as heat, dampness, and phlegm.
It is beyond the scope of this article to discuss all of these in detail, but generally speaking, menopausal patterns can be divided into the following categories:
Jing Insufficiency
Jing, usually translated as “essence,” is a vital substance responsible for birth, growth, development, and ageing. It is stored by the Kidney and naturally declines throughout our lives, leading to the signs of ageing, such as greying hair, hair and tooth loss, hearing loss, and weakening of the bones.
In terms of menopause, this is particularly relevant as many people develop osteopenia and osteoporosis following menopause. Both of these can be attributed to a decline in jing.
Premature ovarian failure and early menopause are also generally seen as an insufficiency of jing.
Yin Deficiency
Yin is the vital substance responsible for cooling and moistening the body, as well as promoting sleep and calming the mind. Like jing, it is stored by the Kidney, and as Kidney function tends to decline with age, so do our reserves of yin.
Yin deficiency is one of the most common menopausal patterns of disharmony and can result in hot flushes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, and anxiety. It may also be associated with vaginal dryness, as well as dry skin, hair, and nails.
Yang Deficiency
Yang is the vital substance responsible for warming and animating the body, as well as promoting wakefulness, digestion, and sexual function. Like jing and yin, it is stored by the Kidney and, therefore, tends to decline with age.
Yang deficiency is commonly associated with fatigue, depression, and low libido, although it can also play a role in the development of hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms. In many cases, these symptoms are the result of combined yin and yang deficiency, and so a proper diagnosis is key.
Qi Deficiency
Qi is a yang substance and, as such, is responsible for warmth and movement in the body. It has a crucial role in most physiological functions, including digestion, reproduction, and immunity.
Qi is formed through the combination of food essences from the Stomach and Spleen, air from the Lungs, and “original qi” from the Kidneys. All of these organs’ functions can decline with age, making it more difficult to generate the qi that we need to support life.
Qi deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, spontaneous sweating, shortness of breath, and digestive issues. These symptoms can vary considerably depending on the organs being affected.
Blood Deficiency
Blood is a yin substance responsible for warming, moistening, and nourishing the body. It also plays a crucial role in sleep and regulating the emotions, as it is said to anchor the shen or “mind-spirit” in Chinese medicine.
Blood is formed in a similar way to qi, with the additional involvement of the Heart. Therefore, imbalances in this organ, as well as the Stomach, Spleen, Lung, or Kidney, can influence the Blood. The Liver, which is responsible for storing Blood, also has a major impact on the quantity and quality of this vital substance.
Blood deficiency can cause symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, poor memory, and light or absent menstruation. It is a common pattern during the menopausal transition, as many decades of menstrual bleeding without replenishment can lead to a net loss over the years.
Qi Stagnation
To carry out all of its essential functions, qi must be able to reach every tissue of the body with ease. This is facilitated by the Liver, which is responsible for circulation and free flow.
If qi cannot move effectively, this leads to a pattern known as qi stagnation. It may be the result of a sluggish Liver or a physical obstruction, such as an old injury or scar.
However, qi stagnation is most commonly the result of emotional stress, which causes the muscles to tense and impairs free flow. Since stress levels are typically high during midlife, this is a very common menopausal pattern.
Qi stagnation symptoms include pain, depression, digestive issues, and painful or irregular periods. It can also contribute to menopausal symptoms like hot flushes.
Blood Stasis
Like qi, Blood must be able to circulate freely around the body. The two substances have a close relationship, with Blood acting as a vessel for qi and qi as a motivating force for Blood.
Therefore, qi deficiency and qi stagnation can lead to a pattern known as Blood stasis, whereby the Blood cannot flow freely and becomes stuck. Blood stasis can also occur due to certain pathogenic factors that cause the Blood to thicken and congeal.
Blood stasis can cause symptoms such as pain, bleeding, bruising, and late and painful menstruation, with dark, clotted blood. Blood stasis can easily progress to serious chronic diseases and should always be treated promptly.
Dietary Therapy for Menopausal Symptoms
Dietary therapy can be an effective remedy for many menopausal symptoms. Below is some general information on the best foods for menopause from a Chinese medicine perspective. However, professional diagnosis and guidance are always advised.
Dietary Therapy for Jing Insufficiency
Many of the best foods for jing insufficiency are dark-coloured foods that nourish the Kidney, especially nutrient-rich nuts, seeds, eggs, bone broth, and bee products. Seaweed and dark leafy greens are also good choices.
For a complete list, read this article on Jing Nourishing Foods.
Dietary Therapy for Yin Deficiency
Foods that nourish yin tend to be moist and juicy, including most fruits and watery vegetables, glutinous grains, and healthy oils and fats. Cooking food using yin methods, such as boiling and steaming, may also be beneficial.
For more information, read this article on Yin Nourishing Foods.
Dietary Therapy for Yang Deficiency
Foods that nourish yang tend to be warming and pungent, including many common herbs and spices, onions, meat, and some fish. Cooking food using yang methods, such as roasting or baking, may also be beneficial.
To learn more, read this article on Yang Nourishing Foods.
Dietary Therapy for Qi Deficiency
The best foods for qi deficiency are those that are rich in complex carbohydrates, giving them a satisfying texture and natural sweetness. This includes most cereal grains, root vegetables, and squashes. Many of these foods are yellow or orange in colour, suggesting an affinity for the Stomach and Spleen.
For a complete list, read this article on Qi Nourishing Foods.
Dietary Therapy for Blood Deficiency
Most Blood-nourishing foods are dark in colour, particularly dark red, and have an affinity for the Heart. This includes dark leafy greens, beetroot, cherries, and dates. Eating plenty of protein is also critical, and red meat, especially liver, is often recommended.
To learn more, read this article on Blood Nourishing Foods.
Dietary Therapy for Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis
Foods that move qi and Blood tend to be warming and have a pungent flavour, including many herbs and spices and onions. Citrus fruits also tend to have a moving quality, as do numerous other fruits and vegetables.
For more information, read this article on Qi and Blood Moving Foods.
Dietary Therapy for Menopause: Summary
The above are just a few suggestions for how to relieve menopausal symptoms using Chinese dietary therapy. It is worth remembering that everyone is different and getting a professional diagnosis from a Chinese medicine practitioner is often the key to success.
For more on how Chinese medicine could help menopausal symptoms, check out this article on Menopausal Yangsheng, or book a consultation to receive personalised recommendations.
References
Berry K, Saunders NC (2022) Menopause: A Comprehensive Guide for Practitioners - Katherine Berry in association with the Journal of Chinese Medicine, Santa Eularia des Riu, Ibiza
Leggett, D (2005) Helping Ourselves (second edition) - Meridian Press, Totnes
Maciocia G (1989) The Foundations of Chinese Medicine (first edition) - Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, London