Premenstrual syndrome effects over 70% to 90% of women before menopause in US and less for women in Southeast Asia because of their diet. It is defined as faulty function of ovaries related to women menstrual cycle, it effects the women physical and emotional state and sometimes interference with daily activities as resulting of hormone fluctuation. The syndrome happens in one or two weeks before menstruation and then declining when the period starts. It is said the symptoms can be so severe that between 10-15% of women have to take time off work, costing businesses millions of dollars a year. In this article, we will discuss how Chinese herbs -rehmannia glutinosa (shu li huang) effects women with PMS.

I. Definition

Rehmannia glutinosa or shu li huang is a perennial herb with reddish-violet flowers native to China, Japan and Korea, it has been used in traditional Chinese medicine in treating rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and kidney disorder.

II. how Chinese herbs -Rehmannia glutinosa (shu li huang) effects women with PMS.

1. Iridoids

Rehmannia glutinosa contains high amount of iridoids which besides help to increase the immune system in protecting our body fighting the invasion of bacteria and virus thereby decreasing the risk of inflammation and infection including the reproductive system of women but also help to reduce the muscle spam resulting in lessening the premenstrual pain and cramp.

2. Water retention and weight gain

Since it is kidney tonic medicine, it helps to increase the kidney function in urinary secretion, thereby decreasing the risk of fluid retention in the body tissues causing weight gain.

3. Essential amino acid

Rehmannia glutinosa or shu li huang also contains variety of amino acids which is necessary for our body in converting proteins to fats and carbohydrates resulting in decreasing the risk of nervous tension including anxiety, depression and emotional and physical stress.

4. Saccharides or carbohydrates

Saccharides or carbohydrates in rehmannia glutinosa or shu li huang besides play an important role in the working process of the immune system and fertility, it also helps to provide energy for our body daily activity resulting in lessening the risk of fatigue and tiredness for some women with PMS.

5. Premenstrual pain and cramps

Inorganic ions in rehmannia glutinosa or shu li huang is essential for the electrical activity needed to support muscle contractions and neuron activation thereby, decreasing the risk of over active uterus muscles and lessening the abdominal pain and cramps.

I hope this information will help. If you need more information or insurance advices, please follow my article series of the above subject at my home page at:

http://medicaladvisorjournals.blogspot.com

To read the series of Premenstrual syndrome. visit

http://pre-menstrualsyndrome-pms.blogspot.com/



Thanks to Kyle J. Norton for contributing this article to our Ginseng blog:

Chinese Red Panax Ginseng