Does Xiao Chai Hu Tang treat women during menstruation

  The pathology is based on the weakness of blood and qi, and the evil stagnation in the liver and gallbladder. The Qi of the liver and gallbladder can cause the stomach to lose its harmony and subdue. Therefore, we use Radix et Rhizoma ginseng, Radix jujube and Radix et Rhizoma Glycyrrhizae to benefit Qi and strengthen the spleen to prevent liver disease from transmitting to the spleen. In this paper, three cases of tinnitus and deafness occurred on one side after the onset of menstruation, and electrical auscultation showed neurological deafness. In case 1, the patient’s low body mass during menstruation caused unfavorable Qi of Shaoyang meridian, which was depressed by evil and caused deafness in the ears and tinnitus and deafness due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis. Because of the lack of ginger in the ward herbal medicine, a little dried ginger is used instead, and Pueraria lobata, Chuanxiong and Bupleurum are added at discretion to strengthen the power of raising Yang, activating Blood and tonifying the kidney. Case 2 patient was suffering from severe insomnia, so the above formula was used as the basis for herbal treatment with the addition of sour date palm and helianthus bark to calm the mind and tranquilize the heart. Case 3 patient had been ill for 5 days when she came to our hospital for treatment, so she was afraid of retaining stasis, so we added Yi Mu Cao to resolve stasis and create new blood.  The treatment of menstrual deafness with Xiao Chai Hu Tang suggests us that for sudden deafness occurring during menstruation, it is not purely actual or deficiency evidence but a combination of deficiency and actuality, with liver and gallbladder fire disturbing the ear orifices along the Shao Yang meridian and menstrual blood deficiency and deficiency of vital energy to resist evil. Modern pharmacological research shows that Xiao Chai Hu Tang has the effect of enhancing immune function and antiviral. The characteristics of altered hormone levels and iron deficiency in menstruating patients may be factors triggering sudden deafness, and the specific pathogenesis remains to be explored.