Ep. 03: Qi, Blood, and the Menstrual Cycle

Content

• Foreword

• Women Govern Blood

• So What Should Women Do?

• Closing Words

1. Foreword

Everyone knows how important qi and blood are to the human body. Traditional Chinese Medicine says: “When qi moves, blood moves. When qi stagnates, blood becomes blocked.”
It sounds simple, but most of us only hear it—we don’t really understand what blood is, how it circulates, or how it affects the body, especially for women.

In this short episode, I want to share a very close and practical perspective: blood during our monthly period. It happens every month, seems obvious and ordinary, yet it is actually the clearest “mirror” of a woman’s overall health.

I used to be careless about it too. My cycle was fairly regular, so I never tracked when it started, when it ended, or how many days it lasted. I thought it didn’t matter—since I wasn’t married and wasn’t planning for pregnancy, I didn’t pay attention.

It wasn’t until I came to Australia to study that things changed. My body felt unusually fatigued—I would yawn nonstop in class like an addict. A doctor later asked me to track my menstrual cycle. I was confused: “Why?”
Her answer opened an entire new world for me: women rely on blood as their foundation, and the menstrual cycle is the most vivid piece of evidence showing how qi and blood are functioning inside the body.

2. Women Govern Blood

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a saying:
“Men are governed by qi; women are governed by blood.”
It sounds simple, but it holds profound wisdom.

For men, strong qi means vitality, stable energy, and physical strength.
For women, sufficient blood means rosy skin, regular periods, a healthy uterus, and peaceful sleep.

A menstrual cycle is not merely a “monthly inconvenience.” It is a direct reflection of internal health:
– Is the cycle regular?
– Is the flow too light or too heavy?
– Is the color bright red or dark and clotted?
– Is there an unusual odor?
– Is there pain?

Every detail reveals the state of qi and blood.

• Cold uterus: severe cramps, dark-colored flow, scanty blood.

• Poor blood circulation: risk of cysts, fibroids, or clotting.

• Weak qi and blood: daytime fatigue, but restless sleep at night because the nervous system isn’t well nourished.

That’s why Traditional Chinese Medicine places so much importance on caring for the uterus and regulating qi and blood.
Western medicine agrees from a different angle: menstrual patterns reflect hormonal health, ovarian function, uterine health, and even the nervous system.

Different approaches, same conclusion:
If your period is unstable, your body is speaking to you.

3. So What Should Women Do?

(a) Keep the uterus clean and warm

Remember this: “A cold womb gives birth to illness.”
There’s an old saying: “Cold causes pain.”
Never underestimate the importance of keeping the lower abdomen warm, especially during rainy days or winter.

• In the morning: drink a cup of warm ginger tea. In Chinese, the character for “ginger” contains the component for “woman,” implying that a woman who wants beauty must nourish herself with ginger.

• In the evening: soak your feet in hot water for 15 minutes; you may add salt or a few slices of ginger. Afterward, apply ginger balm, use a heating patch, or gently warm the lower abdomen.

Weekly care:
Boil eggs with mugwort, steam your body 1–2 times a week, or simply spend 15 minutes sunbathing on a clear day.

Avoid:
Cold drinks, ice cream, carbonated beverages, and cold foods. These all constrict the uterus and impede the flow of qi and blood.

(b) Love wisely

This is delicate but important:
Be mindful in relationships—avoid impulsive intimacy or careless emotional decisions.
For married women, protect each other with mutual respect and boundaries.

The uterus is not only the cradle of life—it is the source of a woman’s energy.
Any harm leaves long-lasting marks.

(c) Nourish yourself with food

During your period:
Eat steamed herbal chicken (gà tiềm) for 3 consecutive days to replenish blood.

Three days after your period ends:
Make porridge or plant-based milk using the following recipe:

• 30g red beans

• 20g red rice

• 20g white glutinous rice

• 15g peanuts with red skin

• A few red dates

• Goji berries

→ Cook into porridge or blend into nut milk and drink for 3 days.
This recipe both nourishes blood and strengthens the spleen and stomach—perfect for women after menstruation.

(d) Sleep and breathe properly

Qi and blood nourish sleep.
If you often struggle falling asleep:

• Soak your feet in warm salted water before bed.

• Turn off your phone at least 30 minutes before lying down.

• Practice 10 rounds of deep breathing to calm the nervous system.

4. Closing Words

Traditional Chinese Medicine views blood as a river that nourishes the entire body.
When that river is full and flowing, everything along its banks—the organs, the skin, the spirit—thrives.
When it runs dry or becomes blocked, everything weakens.

We women are the ones “governed by blood.”
So let’s learn to care for our uterus, regulate qi and blood, and honor our monthly period as a vital part of our health and happiness.

I hope these small reflections help women understand their bodies better—and cherish themselves a little more each day.

📌 This episode is based on personal experience and general knowledge. It is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. If you experience unusual symptoms, please consult a healthcare professional.