Blossom (Phase 4)™

TCM herbal formula for female infertility — luteal phase formula (Phase 4 of 4) — regulates Liver qi; invigorates blood; relieves PMS; analgesic; anti-inflammatory; muscle relaxant; prepares uterus for proper endometrial shedding

⚠️ Do not take this formula while trying to conceive. Discontinue 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 — luteal phase formula (Phase 4): use during the week before the period to regulate Liver qi, relieve PMS, release tension and stagnation, and prepare the uterus for proper shedding the following week

Four-phase fertility protocol: Blossom (Phase 4) is the fourth and final formula in the four-phase fertility protocol. Phase 4 (luteal phase) focuses on regulating Liver qi — the most important treatment strategy during this stage. Liver qi stagnation is characterized by irregular menstruation, abdominal bloating, irritability, emotional instability, short temper, and breast distension. Note: if the patient does not have Liver qi stagnation, she does not need to take Blossom (Phase 4) and can take Blossom (Phase 2) and Blossom (Phase 3) for more days instead.

Key herb-level clinical data:

— Chai Hu (Radix Bupleuri / Bupleurum): smooths Liver qi; disperses qi stagnation; analgesic; anti-inflammatory

— Xiang Fu (Rhizoma Cyperi / Cyperus / Nutgrass): smooths Liver qi; disperses qi stagnation; analgesic; inhibitory effect on the uterus — regulatory; ensures smooth transition throughout menstrual cycle changes

— He Huan Pi (Cortex Albiziae / Albizia Bark / Silk Tree Bark): relieves Liver qi stagnation; reduces anxiety and irritability associated with PMS

— Dang Gui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis / Angelica Sinensis / Dong Quai): tonifies blood; relieves pain; regulatory effect on menstruation — stimulating and inhibiting; analgesic and anti-inflammatory — similar to or stronger than acetylsalicylic acid; 76.79% effectiveness for menstrual pain relief among 112 patients

— Bai Shao (Radix Paeoniae Alba / White Peony): nourishes blood; softens the Liver; relieves distension and pain; analgesic; anti-inflammatory; muscle relaxant — antispasmodic

— Bai Zhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae / Atractylodes White): tonifies the Spleen; dispels dampness; facilitates transportation and transformation of nutrients; diuretic — drains water accumulation and treats edema; antiplatelet — prevents clotting and pain before and during menstruation

— Fu Ling (Poria / Poria Cocos): tonifies the Spleen; dispels dampness; diuretic — drains water accumulation and treats menstrual edema; mild sedative — relieves general pain and discomfort associated with PMS

— Gan Cao (Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae / Licorice Root): supplements qi; helps Bai Shao soften the Liver and relieve pain; analgesic; anti-inflammatory; muscle relaxant

— Yu Jin (Radix Curcumae / Curcuma / Turmeric Root): moves blood; breaks blood stasis in the lower jiao; ensures proper shedding of the endometrial lining

— Chuan Xiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong / Ligusticum Chuanxiong): moves blood; breaks blood stasis in the lower jiao; ensures proper endometrial shedding; antiplatelet — prevents clotting and pain

— Lu Lu Tong (Fructus Liquidambaris / Liquidambar / Sweetgum Fruit): moves blood; breaks blood stasis in the lower jiao; ensures proper endometrial shedding

— Yi Mu Cao (Herba Leonuri / Leonurus / Motherwort): moves blood; breaks blood stasis in the lower jiao; ensures proper endometrial shedding; treats irregular menstruation and hypermenorrhea; stimulating effect on the uterus — regulatory (paired with Xiang Fu for smooth menstrual cycle transitions); antiplatelet

— Chuan Niu Xi (Radix Cyathulae / Cyathula): channel-guiding herb — directs the effect of the formula to the lower jiao

— Ju He (Semen Citri Reticulatae / Citrus Seed / Tangerine Seed): channel-guiding herb — directs the effect of the formula to the lower jiao

WESTERN THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Regulates menstruation / relieves PMS — Dang Gui (stimulating and inhibiting dual effect, 76.79% menstrual pain relief); Yi Mu Cao (irregular menstruation, hypermenorrhea); Xiang Fu + Yi Mu Cao (regulatory — smooth menstrual cycle transitions)

* Analgesic — Dang Gui (≥ aspirin); Xiang Fu + Gan Cao + Chai Hu + Bai Shao (pain relief)

* Anti-inflammatory — Dang Gui; Gan Cao + Chai Hu + Bai Shao (inflammation↓)

* Muscle relaxant / antispasmodic — Bai Shao + Gan Cao (spasms and cramps↓)

* Sedative — Fu Ling (mild sedative — PMS pain and discomfort↓); He Huan Pi (anxiety↓, irritability↓)

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

* Antiplatelet — Chuan Xiong + Yi Mu Cao + Bai Zhu (clotting↓, pain↓ before and during menstruation)

* Moves blood / ensures endometrial shedding — Yu Jin + Chuan Xiong + Lu Lu Tong + Yi Mu Cao (blood stasis↓, lower jiao circulation↑)

CHINESE THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS

* Smooths Liver qi; disperses qi stagnation; relieves PMS (Chai Hu, Xiang Fu, He Huan Pi)

* Nourishes blood; softens Liver; relieves distension and pain (Bai Shao, Dang Gui)

* Tonifies Spleen; dispels dampness; facilitates nutrient transformation (Bai Zhu, Fu Ling)

* Supplements qi; harmonizes formula (Gan Cao)

* Moves blood; breaks blood stasis in lower jiao; ensures proper endometrial shedding (Yu Jin, Chuan Xiong, Lu Lu Tong, Yi Mu Cao)

* Guides herbs to lower jiao (Chuan Niu Xi, Ju He)

DOSAGE

Standard: 4–6 capsules three times daily on an empty stomach. Use during Phase 4 (the week before the period — luteal phase). Do not take while trying to conceive. Discontinue when the patient becomes pregnant.

Clinical note: If the patient does not have Liver qi stagnation, skip Phase 4 and extend Blossom (Phase 2) and Blossom (Phase 3) for more days instead.

Note on the four-phase protocol: Begin with Blossom (Phase 1) during the menstrual phase, 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 2) – follicular phase fertility formula | Blossom (Phase 3) – ovulatory phase fertility formula | Calm – for PMS irritability and mood swings | Calm (ES) – for severe emotional disturbance | Mense-Ease – for dysmenorrhea and menstrual cramps | Resolve (Lower) – for endometriosis, fibroids, and ovarian cysts | Women's Health & Hormonal Support Collection.