Can I drink motherwort for light menstrual flow?

When my cousin visited our home, she mentioned that she had started her period recently but noticed her menstrual flow was lighter than usual. She felt somewhat anxious but was too embarrassed to discuss it openly. So, can women with light menstrual flow drink motherwort (Leonurus japonicus) tea?

Can women with light menstrual flow drink motherwort?

Yes, women experiencing light menstrual flow may benefit from drinking motherwort. Motherwort promotes blood circulation and resolves blood stasis while nourishing the uterus. Consuming motherwort during menstruation may help increase menstrual flow. Women with scanty periods may consider taking motherwort during their period to help regulate flow. It is also advisable to consume more foods that promote blood circulation, such as red dates (jujubes), goji berries, longan fruit, and brown sugar. However, if light menstrual flow results from endocrine imbalance, relying solely on motherwort may yield suboptimal results. In such cases, hormonal testing is recommended to identify the specific hormone imbalance, followed by targeted pharmacological treatment to regulate menstruation.

Light menstrual flow in women may be associated with menstrual irregularities or deficiencies in qi and blood, or possibly with “cold uterus” (a TCM concept referring to uterine coldness impairing circulation). During menstruation, women are advised to drink more brown sugar–ginger tea. Both brown sugar and ginger possess warming properties that help warm the uterus, improve blood circulation, and facilitate the expulsion of stagnant blood—thereby increasing menstrual flow.

Women may also drink rose petal tea during their period. Rose petals aid detoxification and enhance skin health, promoting rapid elimination of toxins and preventing stagnation of qi and blood. During menstruation, it is advisable to drink plenty of warm water and avoid tea, which may exacerbate dysmenorrhea. We hope this information proves helpful!