Formulas & Needles
TCM for PCOS: Herbs, Acupressure and Dietary Support
A TCM approach to PCOS — understanding it as Spleen deficiency with dampness, Liver qi stagnation, or Kidney deficiency — with targeted herbs, acupressure points, and dietary strategies for hormonal balance.
A Personal NotePolycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition where Western medicine excels at diagnosis but often struggles with long-term management — offering birth control pills or metformin as primary treatments. TCM offers a different framework: PCOS is understood as a pattern of Spleen deficiency creating dampness (the cysts), combined with Liver qi stagnation (the hormonal irregularity) and Kidney deficiency (the root of ovarian function). This framework directly addresses why PCOS involves metabolism, mood, and reproduction simultaneously.
Common PCOS Patterns
Spleen qi deficiency with dampness: Weight gain (especially abdominal), fatigue, heavy periods, cystic acne, sugar cravings. The most common pattern.
Liver qi stagnation: Irregular periods, PMS, mood swings, stress-related symptoms.
Kidney yang deficiency: Infrequent or absent periods, infertility, low libido, cold extremities.
Blood stasis: Painful periods, dark clotted blood, fixed lower abdominal pain.
Key Herbs
Cang Zhu (Atractylodes, 苍术) — Pungent, bitter, warm. Strongly dries dampness and supports the Spleen. For the PCOS weight gain pattern.
Fu Ling (Poria, 茯苓) — Sweet, neutral. Drains dampness, strengthens Spleen, calms the spirit. 10-15g.
Dan Shen (Salvia, 丹参) — Bitter, slightly cold. Moves blood, regulates menstruation, cools hormonal heat. 10-15g.
Yi Mu Cao (Leonurus, 益母草) — Bitter, pungent, slightly cold. Regulates the uterus, promotes menstrual flow. 10-30g.
Tu Si Zi (Dodder Seed, 菟丝子) — Sweet, warm. Tonifies Kidney yang to support ovarian function. 10-20g.
Acupressure Points
San Yin Jiao (SP6) — Four finger-widths above inner ankle. Regulates hormones. Press daily.
Guan Yuan (CV4) — Four finger-widths below navel. Tonifies Kidney and regulates the uterus.
Yin Ling Quan (SP9) — Inner lower leg, below the knee. Drains dampness and strengthens the Spleen.
Zhong Wan (CV12) — Midway between navel and breastbone. Strengthens digestion, addresses Spleen root of PCOS.
Dietary Tips for PCOS
Avoid: Sugar and refined carbs (feed dampness), dairy (phlegm-producing), cold drinks (weaken Spleen), fried foods (create damp-heat)
Emphasize: Low-glycemic whole foods, warming cooked meals, ginger in tea and cooking, bitter greens (support liver function)
