Beginning with the Baby Boom generation, more girls than ever before have entered into womanhood − marked by the onset of menstruation − as early as nine or ten years of age. Coupled with the cultural trend toward delaying pregnancy, this means that between menarche and menopause, women will experience many more menstrual cycles than their mothers and grandmothers. The Kidney Network governs the onset of menarche, the rhythm of menstruation, the maintenance of fertility, the integrity of a pregnancy and the initiation and culmination of menopause. Furthermore, it is the Liver that performs the essential function of regulating the quantity of all hormones in the blood stream by producing enzymes that disassemble them into smaller, recyclable molecular components. While the Kidney stores, regulates and supplies the Essence (Jing) necessary for all primary metabolic activities of the organism, the Liver maintains the level of nutritive essences in the Blood, regulating its volume and pressure. The Spleen generates the Nutritive Qi (Ying) that enters the Blood and, by maintaining the patency of the vessels, keeps the Blood within its proper domain. Many of the menstrual, reproductive or urogenital patterns that arise during a woman’s reproductive years are related to disharmonies of the Kidney, Liver and Spleen Networks, as well as to depletion and/or congestion of Qi, Moisture and Blood. Insufficiencies may lead to occasional irregularities in a normal menstrual cycle. Stagnation of Blood and Moisture (body fluids) can produce occasional tenderness and swelling of the breasts and abdomen, low back and sacrum and other discomforts that are commonly and occasionally experienced during the middle of a normal cycle and/or before menstruation begins. If the resources of the Kidney are overtaxed, it will not have enough “juice” to support all of the body’s needs, including those of regular menstruation and fertility: when adaptive reserves are overwhelmed or depleted, the organism gives precedence to survival over sexuality and reproduction. When the Liver is also strained, there may be variability of circulation, mood and neuromuscular coordination. When the Spleen Qi is insufficient, there may be occasional weakness, lethargy, indigestion and water retention. Got Rhythm harmonizes the interaction of the Kidney, Liver and Spleen adjusts the circulation and amends deficiencies of Qi, Blood and Moisture, and addresses any underlying stagnations or deficiencies that may precede their occurrence. This formula supports healthy cycling in women of childbearing age, from menarche to menopause. RATIONALE This formula is a combination and adaptation of two 11th century formulas, Rambling Powder (Xiao Yao San) and Four Substances Soup (Si Wu Tang). Both have been extensively used to support a woman’s healthy reproductive system and to address patterns of Liver and Spleen disharmony, as well as depletion and stagnation of Qi and Blood. Some additional and alternative ingredients emphasize regulating Qi and Blood, soothing the Liver, calming spasm, occasional irritability, strengthening the Spleen, invigorating Yang and eliminating Dampness and Heat. Dong quai root, Sichuan lovage rhizome, prepared Rehmannia root and White peony root tonify the Blood, and together with Bupleurum root, prepared Cyperus rhizome, Saussurea root and White atractylodes rhizome, soothe the Liver, strengthen the Spleen, harmonize the Liver and Spleen and eliminate stagnation of Qi and Moisture (Dampness). Siberian motherwort seed, Shiny bugleweed herb and Sparganium rhizome further enhance the equitable circulation of Blood and, during the premenstrual and menstrual phases, relieve occasional pressure while supporting the downward movement, release and discharge of accumulated Blood and Moisture. Finally, while Evodia fruit and Fennel fruit invigorate the Yang of the Kidney, Liver and Spleen necessary for proper movement and transformation, Tree peony root bark and Phellodendron bark purge Heat and Damp Heat from the Blood and the Lower Burner that ensues as a result of stagnation of Qi and excitation of Yang, also known as Ministerial Fire (Xiang huo), in the Liver and Kidney.
