Amenorrhea (missed periods) is a complex disorder that may require long-term treatment. Physicians identify the problem based on syndrome differentiation and may apply different regimens for each individual. All of the therapies are aimed at regulation and balancing the hormonal system to restore a normal menstrual cycle.

The following are typical prescriptions for the common syndrome patterns.

Moutan bark	Pinellia tuber	dwarf lily-turf

In the prescription, cistanchi and dodder seed are the main active ingredients, which serve to reinforce the kidneys. The other herbs assist the main ingredients by enriching the blood and reinforcing the power of the kidneys. In addition, ingredients such as fanfeng and skullcap root are used for the elimination of evils, because the body can easily be attacked by evils such as wind-heat or wind-cold in this kind of deficiency.

In the prescription, rhemannia acts as the monarch herb to nourish kidney yin. Eucommia bark, dodder seed, angelica and wolfberry help to enrich the blood and essence; Chinese yam and poria promote the spleen to ensure the nutrient supply. The whole combination nourishes the yin and blood so as to replenish the essence and bone marrow.

Balloonflower root	Orange fruit	Achyranthes root

The first four ingredients make up the well-known combination known as the Four Herbs Decoction, which aids and regulates the blood. With the astragalus and ginseng, the prescription enriches both qi and blood and promotes circulation.

In the prescription, cherry fruit and cassia twig are the monarch herbs, which warm the meridians and promote circulation. Angelica and lovage remove blood stasis; donkey-hide gelatin, lily-turf and peony nourish yin to produce blood; moutan bark clears heat; ginseng, ginger and pinellia harmonize the stomach and promote blood and qi production. Liquorice root acts as buffer.

This is a common formula for blood stasis in the chest. The peach kernel and safflower flower are the monarch herbs that serve to activate blood and remove stasis. The angelica, peony and lovage work together to nourish the blood. Balloonflower, tororwax root, orange fruit and achyranthes ensure that the flow of qi and blood flow in the normal direction. Rhemannia clears heat in the blood; liquorice root acts as buffer.

In the prescription, arisaema and pinellia tuber serve as monarch herbs to dry the dampness and expel the phlegm. Atractylodes root, poria and tangerine peel fortify the spleen to enhance fluid metabolism. Nut grass, ginger and orange fruit regulate the movement of qi; liquorice acts as buffer.