Blossom (Phase 1)™

TCM herbal formula for female infertility — menstrual phase formula (Phase 1 of 4) — invigorates blood circulation; regulates the chong (thoroughfare) and ren (conception) channels; regulates menstruation; relieves pain; reduces inflammation; eliminates water accumulation

⚠️ Discontinue use when the patient becomes pregnant. May cause more bleeding in some patients — if excessive bleeding occurs, reduce dosage to half or discontinue temporarily. Contains Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), which invigorates blood circulation — patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies such as Coumadin (warfarin) should use with caution or not at all due to higher risk of bleeding and bruising.

CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

* Female infertility — menstrual phase formula (Phase 1): use during the week of menstruation to regulate menstrual flow and promote healthy shedding of endometrial tissue

Four-phase fertility protocol: Blossom (Phase 1) is the first of four formulas designed to treat female infertility by targeting each phase of the menstrual cycle. Phase 1 (menstrual phase) focuses on moving qi and blood to regulate the menses and ensure proper shedding of the uterine lining.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai): tonifies and moves blood; dual regulatory effect on the uterus — stimulating and inhibiting — overall regulatory effect on menstruation; effective in essential oil form for menstrual pain relief (76.79% effectiveness among 112 patients); analgesic and anti-inflammatory — similar to or stronger than acetylsalicylic acid; treats irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain

— Chong Wei Zi (Fructus Leonuri / Leonurus / Motherwort Fruit): promotes blood circulation; regulates menstruation; combined with Dang Gui — treats irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and postpartum abdominal pain

— Ze Lan (Herba Lycopi / Lycopus / Bugleweed): moves blood; dispels clots; reduces water retention and edema associated with menstruation (combined with Fu Ling)

— Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos): diuretic — reduces water accumulation and treats menstrual edema

— Chi Shao (Radix Paeoniae Rubrae / Red Peony): antispasmodic — relieves spasms and cramps; antiplatelet — reduces clotting and pain; treats gynecological disorders

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong / Ligusticum Chuanxiong): relieves pain in gynecological disorders; antiplatelet — reduces clotting; sedative — relieves stress, anxiety, and general discomfort

— Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi / Cyperus / Nutgrass): enters the Liver; regulates qi; relieves bloating and emotional imbalances during the menstrual period; uterine relaxant — inhibitory effect on the uterus; analgesic; sedative

— Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba / White Peony): nourishes blood; softens the Liver; antispasmodic — relaxes the uterus and relieves pain; analgesic

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Regulates menstruation — Dang Gui (stimulating and inhibiting dual effect on uterus, 76.79% menstrual pain relief); Chong Wei Zi (blood circulation, menstrual regulation)

* Analgesic / anti-inflammatory — Dang Gui (≥ aspirin potency); Xiang Fu + Bai Shao (analgesic); Chi Shao + Chuan Xiong (antiplatelet, clotting↓, pain↓)

* Antispasmodic / uterine relaxant — Xiang Fu (uterine relaxant); Bai Shao + Chi Shao (antispasmodic — spasms and cramps↓)

* Diuretic / reduces edema — Ze Lan + Fu Ling (water retention↓, menstrual edema↓)

* Sedative — Chuan Xiong + Xiang Fu (stress↓, anxiety↓, discomfort↓)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Invigorates blood circulation; dispels blood clots (Dang Gui, Chong Wei Zi, Ze Lan, Chi Shao, Chuan Xiong)

* Regulates the chong (thoroughfare) and ren (conception) channels (Dang Gui, Chong Wei Zi)

* Regulates menstruation; promotes healthy endometrial shedding (Dang Gui, Chong Wei Zi)

* Regulates qi; relieves bloating and emotional imbalance (Xiang Fu)

* Nourishes blood; softens Liver; relaxes uterus (Bai Shao)

* Reduces water retention and edema (Ze Lan, Fu Ling)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach. Use during Phase 1 (the week of menstruation). Discontinue when the patient becomes pregnant.

Note on the four-phase protocol: Blossom (Phase 1) is used during the menstrual phase. Continue with Blossom (Phase 2) during the follicular phase, Blossom (Phase 3) during the ovulatory phase, and Blossom (Phase 4) during the luteal phase for a complete fertility support cycle.

Nutrition: During the menstrual phase, avoid foods that are cold or sour in nature — they create stagnation and cause pain. Cold foods to avoid: sushi, uncooked vegetables, salad, tomatoes, watermelon, cucumbers, winter melon, strawberries, tofu, crabs, bananas, pear, soy milk, kiwi, ice cream, and cold beverages. Sour foods to avoid: all citrus.

Tao of Nutrition (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.

Lifestyle: During menstruation, avoid sports that expose the body to cold environments such as skiing or cold-water sports. Wear clothing that promotes warmth in cold weather and covers the abdomen and low back.

Related Reading

Also see: Blossom (Phase 2) – follicular phase fertility formula | Blossom (Phase 3) – ovulatory phase fertility formula | Blossom (Phase 4) – luteal phase fertility formula | Mense-Ease – for dysmenorrhea and menstrual cramps | Resolve (Lower) – for endometriosis, fibroids, and ovarian cysts affecting fertility | Imperial Tonic – for postpartum recovery and qi and blood replenishment | Women's Health & Hormonal Support Collection.