Blossom (Phase 2)™

TCM herbal formula for female infertility — follicular phase formula (Phase 2 of 4) — nourishes blood; tonifies Kidney yin; replenishes Kidney jing (essence); hematopoietic; adaptogenic; regulates menstruation; eliminates water accumulation

⚠️ Discontinue use when the patient becomes pregnant. 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 — follicular phase formula (Phase 2): use during the week after menstruation to tonify blood, nourish yin, and replenish jing (essence) lost through menstruation

Four-phase fertility protocol: Blossom (Phase 2) is the second of four formulas designed to treat female infertility by targeting each phase of the menstrual cycle. Phase 2 (follicular phase) focuses on restoring blood, yin, and jing (essence) after menstruation to build a healthy foundation for conception. Mild qi and blood-moving herbs are included to prevent stagnation from the rich tonics.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai): one of the most effective blood-tonifying herbs; dual regulatory effect on the uterus — stimulating and inhibiting — beneficial before, during, and after menstruation; replenishes blood lost through menstruation

— Shu Di Huang (Radix Rehmanniae Praeparata / Prepared Rehmannia): one of the most effective blood-tonifying herbs; tonifies Kidney yin and jing (essence); replenishes blood lost through menstruation

— E Jiao (Colla Corii Asini / Donkey Hide Gelatin / Ejiao): one of the most effective blood-tonifying herbs; marked hematopoietic effect — increases production of red blood cells and white blood cells; effectively treats leukopenia and anemia; replenishes blood lost through menstruation

— Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae / Atractylodes White): strengthens the Spleen — essential for blood production and extraction of post-natal qi from food; immunostimulant — increases activity of macrophages and reticuloendothelial system, increases white blood cells, lymphocytes, and IgG; adaptogenic — helps body cope with mental and physical stress

— Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos): strengthens the Spleen — supports blood production; diuretic — reduces water accumulation and treats menstrual edema

— Shan Yao (Rhizoma Dioscoreae / Dioscorea / Chinese Yam): strengthens the Spleen — supports blood production; stimulates gastrointestinal tract to promote normal digestion and absorption of nutrients; adaptogenic

— Shan Zhu Yu (Fructus Corni / Cornus / Cornelian Cherry): nourishes Kidney yin and jing (essence)

— Nu Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi / Ligustrum / Privet): nourishes Kidney yin and jing (essence)

— Gou Qi Zi (Fructus Lycii / Lycium / Wolfberry / Goji): nourishes Kidney yin and jing (essence); marked hematopoietic effect — increases production of red blood cells and white blood cells; immunostimulant — increases non-specific immunity, phagocytic activity of macrophages, and total number of T cells

— Tu Si Zi (Semen Cuscutae / Cuscuta / Dodder Seed): mild yang tonic — supports Kidney yang so that yin tonics can achieve maximum effect; adaptogenic

— Lu Jiao Shuang (Cornu Cervi Degelatinatum / Deer Antler Gelatin Residue): mild yang tonic — supports Kidney yang so that yin tonics can achieve maximum effect

— Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis / Schisandra / Five-Flavor Berry): astringent — consolidates, binds, and prevents leakage of jing (essence); immunostimulant — heightens non-specific immunity; CNS stimulant — increases mental alertness, improves work efficiency, and quickens reflexes; adaptogenic

— Ze Xie (Rhizoma Alismatis / Alisma / Water Plantain): offsets the stagnating nature of Shu Di Huang; diuretic — reduces water accumulation and treats menstrual edema

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong / Ligusticum Chuanxiong): mild blood-moving herb — prevents tonic stagnation; stimulates blood circulation; promotes delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body

— Mu Dan Pi (Cortex Moutan / Moutan / Peony Bark): mild blood-moving herb — prevents tonic stagnation; stimulates blood circulation; promotes delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients throughout the body

— Chong Wei Zi (Fructus Leonuri / Leonurus / Motherwort Fruit): mild blood-moving herb — prevents tonic stagnation; regulates menstruation

— Niu Xi (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae / Achyranthes): guides the effect of the herbs to the lower jiao, namely the Kidney

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Hematopoietic — E Jiao (RBC↑, WBC↑, leukopenia and anemia); Gou Qi Zi (RBC↑, WBC↑); Bai Zhu (WBC↑, lymphocytes↑, IgG↑)

* Immunostimulant — Bai Zhu (macrophages↑, reticuloendothelial system↑); Wu Wei Zi (non-specific immunity↑); Gou Qi Zi (non-specific immunity↑, macrophages↑, T cells↑)

* Adaptogenic — Bai Zhu + Tu Si Zi + Shan Yao (mental and physical stress↓)

* Regulatory effect on menstruation — Dang Gui (stimulating and inhibiting dual effect on uterus)

* CNS stimulant — Wu Wei Zi (mental alertness↑, work efficiency↑, reflexes↑)

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

* Circulatory — Chuan Xiong + Mu Dan Pi (blood circulation↑, oxygen and nutrient delivery↑)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Nourishes blood; replenishes blood lost through menstruation (Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, E Jiao)

* Strengthens Spleen; promotes blood production and post-natal qi (Bai Zhu, Fu Ling, Shan Yao)

* Tonifies Kidney yin and jing (essence) (Shan Zhu Yu, Nu Zhen Zi, Gou Qi Zi, Shu Di Huang)

* Supports Kidney yang to maximize yin tonic effect (Tu Si Zi, Lu Jiao Shuang)

* Consolidates and prevents leakage of jing (essence) (Wu Wei Zi)

* Moves blood mildly; prevents tonic stagnation (Chuan Xiong, Mu Dan Pi, Chong Wei Zi)

* Guides herbs to lower jiao and Kidney (Niu Xi)

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

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach. Use during Phase 2 (the week after menstruation — follicular phase). Discontinue when the patient becomes pregnant.

Note on the four-phase protocol: Begin with Blossom (Phase 1) 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: Make a fertility-enhancing trail mix consisting of equal parts of dried cranberries, walnuts, sesame seeds, longan fruits, and cashews.

Related Reading

Also see: Blossom (Phase 1) – menstrual phase fertility formula | Blossom (Phase 3) – ovulatory phase fertility formula | Blossom (Phase 4) – luteal phase fertility formula | Kidney Tonic (Yin) – for Kidney yin deficiency | Nourish – for Kidney yin deficiency with dryness | Imperial Tonic – for qi, blood, yin, and yang replenishment | Mense-Ease – for dysmenorrhea and menstrual cramps | Women's Health & Hormonal Support Collection.