Feeling Drained? Here’s How TCM, Acupuncture & Herbal Teas Are Helping Me Rebalance During Perimenopause

Understanding TCM: A Different Approach to Women’s Health

If you’ve ever been told, “Your blood tests look normal,” or “It’s just in your head,” when you’re feeling anything but okay — you’re not alone. Like many women going through perimenopause, I’ve felt extreme fatigue, brain fog, mood swings, and a general sense of being out of sync with my own body.

Instead of sitting around thinking I was crazy and feeling depressed day in and day out, I started exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) — and I was surprised by how much it resonated.

TCM doesn’t just look at symptoms in isolation. It sees the body as a whole, focusing on energy (Qi), blood flow, and balance. It believes that many perimenopausal symptoms come from an imbalance of Yin and Yang or blockages in your internal energy pathways (called meridians).

Instead of simply replacing hormones, TCM focuses on helping the body restore harmony naturally — often through acupuncture, herbs, food therapy, and lifestyle shifts.

🌿 How TCM Views Perimenopause (In Simple Terms)

In Western medicine, perimenopause is mainly seen as a hormonal issue. But in TCM, it’s seen as a natural transition— an energy shift that needs gentle support rather than suppression.

Here are a few common imbalances in TCM that relate to perimenopause:

1. Kidney Deficiency

In TCM, the Kidneys are considered the root of life and store your “essence” (Jing) — which supports reproduction, vitality, and aging. As we get older, this essence naturally declines. When Kidney energy is low, you may feel:

• Exhaustion and burnout
• Low libido
• Weakness in the lower back or knees
• Brain fog
• Hormonal imbalances like irregular cycles or hot flashes

2. Liver Qi Stagnation

The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of energy and emotions. When Liver Qi gets stuck, you might experience:

• Mood swings, irritability
• PMS or breast tenderness
• Bloating and sluggish digestion
• Poor sleep or restless nights
• A general sense of being “on edge"

This is especially common in women who are constantly busy, overwhelmed, or holding in stress.

3. Yin Deficiency

Yin represents the cooling, calming, nourishing side of the body. When Yin is deficient, you may feel:

• Hot flashes and night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Dry skin and eyes
• Increased anxiety
• Trouble relaxing, especially in the evenings

Rather than medicating symptoms, TCM uses food, herbs, acupuncture, and mindful lifestyle practices to rebuild and rebalance these energies.

What I love most is that TCM doesn’t treat me like I’m broken — it reminds me that this is a natural shift that can be supported, not feared.

✨ A Note on Acupuncture: My Personal Experience

Alongside herbal teas, I’ve also started trying acupuncture — and honestly, it’s been one of the most calming and unexpected parts of this journey.

If you’re new to the idea, acupuncture is a key part of Traditional Chinese Medicine. It involves inserting very fine needles into specific points on the body to help balance your energy (Qi), improve circulation, and release blockages.

I know it sounds intimidating (I used to be afraid of needles, too!), but the experience is incredibly gentle and relaxing. You lie down comfortably while the practitioner places needles along meridian points related to your symptoms, such as fatigue, mood swings, or sleep issues.

Here’s what I noticed after two sessions:

• I felt more grounded and emotionally balanced afterward
• The heavy fatigue lifted just slightly — enough to feel hopeful
• My sleep improved, and I felt calmer overall

In TCM, acupuncture is beneficial for:

• Balancing hormones naturally
• Reducing stress and anxiety
• Improving sleep and digestion
• Supporting the Kidney and Liver systems that are often out of balance during perimenopause

It’s not an overnight fix, but it felt like a gentle reset button. It might be worth exploring with a qualified practitioner if you’re feeling stuck or if nothing else is working.

🍵 The Healing Power of Herbal Teas in TCM

Herbs are one of the most powerful yet gentle tools in TCM. While practitioners prescribe complex herbal formulas, I started with simple daily herbal teas using ingredients that nourish and rebalance the body.

Why Warm Herbal Teas Matter

In TCM, digestion is seen as a “fire” that needs proper warmth. Cold water or iced drinks can weaken that fire, especially during hormonal fluctuation.

Warm herbal teas:

• Gently support digestion
• Boost circulation and Qi flow
• Nourish blood and energy
• Calm the nervous system
• Help the body restore inner balance

🌸 My Go-To Herbal Tea Blend & What It Supports

I’ve been drinking this tea daily for its benefits and because it brings me a sense of peace and ritual.

Ingredients & Benefits:

🔹 Red Dates (Jujube)
– Nourish blood and Qi
– Calm the mind
– Support better sleep and emotional stability

🔹 Goji Berries
– Support Kidney and Liver energy
– Boost focus and vitality
– Help with fatigue and mild dizziness

🔹 Rose Petals
– Move stuck Liver Qi
– Soothe emotions
– Support digestion and reduce bloating

🔹 Ginger
– Warm the body and improve circulation
– Ease bloating or cold sensitivity
– Strengthen digestion

🔹 Brown Sugar (optional)
– Gently supports energy
– Traditionally used in women’s teas after menstruation or childbirth for comfort and warmth

 

☕ How to Make It:

1. Add 4–5 red dates (sliced), a small handful of goji berries, a few dried rose petals, and 2–3 slices of fresh ginger to 2–3 cups of water.
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10–15 minutes.
3. Optional: Add 1 tsp brown sugar toward the end.
4. Sip warm, ideally mid-morning or late afternoon.

What I’ve personally noticed:

• A calming, grounded feeling after drinking it
• Less bloating and heaviness
• A slight lift in mood and energy
• A subtle improvement in sleep quality

💬 Why I Chose This Path

I recently had blood tests done, and of course — everything came back “normal.” I’m still waiting for my hormone results, but I knew deep down that something was off. I was exhausted, foggy, and emotionally flat.

Rather than give up, I decided to take gentle steps toward feeling better. Acupuncture, daily tea rituals, and learning about TCM have helped me feel more in tune with myself. It’s not a magic fix — but it’s a start.

It gives me hope, and I think that’s something many of us are looking for.

 

🌼 Final Thoughts: You’re Not Alone

You are not alone if you feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or unsatisfied with yourself. Whether you’re trying HRT, supplements, or holistic methods like TCM, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

This is just part of my journey. If any of it resonates with you, I hope it brings you a little light and reassurance.

Sometimes, the most minor things — like sipping a warm herbal tea or trying a 30-minute acupuncture session — can start to shift everything.