How Chinese Herbal Medicine Supports Women’s Health

Written by Jennifer Stukey

Women’s health can change a lot over time. Hormones shift during monthly cycles, pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause, and menopause. These changes can affect energy, mood, sleep, and overall wellbeing.

Chinese herbal medicine is one part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that has been used for thousands of years. It focuses on supporting balance in the body, not just treating one symptom at a time.

At Jen Acupuncture in Ellicott City, Maryland, Chinese herbal medicine is often used alongside acupuncture to support women’s health in a natural and personalized way.

What is Chinese herbal medicine?

Chinese herbal medicine uses natural plant-based formulas to support the body’s systems.

These herbs are not random. They are combined into formulas based on your specific symptoms and health patterns.

Each formula is customized. Two people with similar symptoms may still receive different herbal support.

How Chinese herbs support women’s health

Women’s health is closely connected to hormone balance, stress levels, and overall energy. Chinese herbal medicine is often used to help support:

  • Hormone balance

  • Menstrual cycle regularity

  • PMS symptoms

  • Perimenopause symptoms

  • Menopause symptoms

  • Fertility and reproductive health

  • Energy and fatigue

  • Emotional wellbeing

Instead of targeting only one issue, herbs are chosen to support the whole system.

Chinese herbal medicine for menstrual health

Many women seek herbal support for cycle-related symptoms.

This may include:

  • Irregular cycles

  • Cramps

  • Bloating

  • Mood changes before periods

  • Heavy or light periods

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, these symptoms are often seen as signs of imbalance in the body. Herbal formulas aim to support smoother and more regular cycles over time.

Herbal support for perimenopause and menopause

Perimenopause and menopause can bring symptoms like:

  • Hot flashes

  • Night sweats

  • Sleep changes

  • Mood swings

  • Low energy

Chinese herbal medicine is often used to help the body adjust during these transitions. The goal is to support comfort and balance as hormones shift naturally.

Chinese herbal medicine and fertility support

Many people also use Chinese herbs as part of fertility care.

This may include support for:

  • Hormonal balance

  • Menstrual cycle regulation

  • Overall reproductive health

  • Stress reduction support

Some patients use herbs alongside fertility acupuncture or IVF care as part of a broader wellness plan.

How herbs are prescribed

Herbal medicine is not one-size-fits-all.

At Jen Acupuncture, herbal recommendations are based on a full health intake. This may include questions about:

  • Menstrual cycle

  • Sleep

  • Digestion

  • Stress levels

  • Energy

  • Current symptoms

Formulas are then selected or adjusted based on your needs.

Chinese herbal medicine in Ellicott City, MD

If you are looking for Chinese herbal medicine in Ellicott City, Maryland, Jen Acupuncture offers personalized care focused on women’s health, fertility, and overall wellness.

Herbal medicine is often used alongside acupuncture for more complete support.

Final thoughts

Chinese herbal medicine offers a natural way to support women’s health through different life stages. It focuses on balance, consistency, and long-term wellness rather than quick fixes.

If you’re curious whether herbal medicine may be right for you, a consultation can help determine the best approach for your needs.

Jennifer Stukey

Hello and thank you for allowing me the opportunity to share with you about myself and my practice.

My Chinese medicine practice focuses on women’s health, whether physical or emotional, I am dedicated to helping women live a life of joy and ease.

I have been treating patients since 2004 and have performed over 10,000 acupuncture treatments during this time. I am currently treating patients for Infertility, Menstrual Symptoms, Gynecological Disorders, Headaches, Back Aches, Muscular Skeletal Pain, Anxiety and depression, Insomnia, and many other health issues.  

I continue to pursue education that focuses on women’s health and I observe my patients achieving their goals by the beautiful weave of traditional and complementary medicine.

Prior to receiving my Masters of Acupuncture degree, I earned my Bachelors of Art degree in Psychology from the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Immediately after graduation, I started the three and a half year Masters of Acupuncture program at the Maryland University of Integrative Health (formerly known as Tai Sophia Institute), which is the oldest and first accredited acupuncture program in the United States.

I am a licensed acupuncturist and received National Board Certification through the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).  I also have proctored the Clean Needle Technique exam portion of the NCCAOM.

I completed a two-and-a-half-year program in Chinese Herbal Medicine also at MUIH. I hold a 660-hour certification in Chinese Herbal Medicine.  This combination with my acupuncture degree has granted me a Masters of Oriental Medicine. In 2012, I had the honor of becoming a clinical supervisor for the Maryland University of Integrative Health in the Chinese Herbal Medicine clinic.

While in acupuncture school I completed a ten-month yoga teacher-training program at the Columbia Yoga Center in which I became a Registered Yoga Teacher at the 200-hour level (RYT ® 200). Since I have taught over 1,000 hours of yoga, I am now an E-RYT® 200 which allows me to provide continuing education to registered yoga teachers and lead teacher training programs.

In 2009, I opened and become the CEO of Awaken Wellness, a well-known and thriving integrative wellness center in Columbia.

In 2016, I receiving the SmartCEO Brava Award.  The Brava Awards program celebrates high-impact female business leaders. Brava award winners combine their irrepressible entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for giving back to the community, and are exemplary leaders of both their companies and their communities. They encourage local philanthropy, mentor up-and-coming leaders, and set their companies on the path to tremendous growth. 

In the summer of 2019, I had the opportunity of doing an internship in the Labor and Delivery unit of NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn. I was able to be present to and support the birthing process of several women with acupuncture, acupressure, and massage techniques. I learned to understand the phases of delivery from a Yin/Yang theory. The training included labor preparation through the postpartum period using acupressure, bodywork, auriculotherapy and moxibustion to support and encourage healthy labor. I also got the opportunity to observe a c-section of twins during this internship.

In 2024, Jen went back into private practice as she transitioned her Columbia Wellness Center to a worker owned cooperative.

I am excited to offer you the power of relationship centered healing. Through my experience as both a patient and as a practitioner, I have experienced the transformational results of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments. At the core of all treatments is respect and compassion. Come and join me in a partnership of observing your life newly.

https://www.JenAcupuncture.com
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