Blood stasis, as the name suggests, refers to the stagnation of blood.As the old saying goes: “Running water does not rot.” Blood is like water in a pipeline; if its flow is obstructed or stagnant, it will deteriorate and become foul.In my view, individuals with a blood stasis constitution are the ones who need to be adjusted as soon as possible. Over time, the waste materials in the blood will accumulate, and the blockage will become more severe, making it more troublesome to address.
Common symptoms of blood stasis include:1. Unexplained pain in the body, especially worsening at night, despite no trauma.2. Bruises or purplish spots appearing without any injury.3. Dark-colored lips, purplish spots around the eyes resembling dark circles, and facial blemishes.4. Poor memory and sluggish response.5. Women may experience dark-colored blood clots during menstruation.6. The tongue appears dark, often purplish, with spots on the surface; the veins under the tongue are dark and thick.
Images sourced from the internet, please delete if infringing.
Images sourced from the internet, please delete if infringing.If you are still unsure about your constitution, you can scan or long-press the QR code below for a specific test to see if you have a blood stasis constitution.
Here are some commonly used methods for adjusting blood stasis:1. Recommended tea for resolving stasis: Hua Yu Tea: 3g of Hong Hua (Safflower), 6g of Mei Gui Hua (Rose), 6g of Shan Zha (Hawthorn).If you have saffron, you can replace the safflower, but do not exceed 3g.2. Two recommended dietary therapies:The first is Tao Ren Congee.10g of Tao Ren (Peach Kernel, peeled), 100g of rice. Crush or powder the peach kernels and cook them with the rice to make congee.The second is San Qi Steamed Chicken.5g of San Qi (Notoginseng) powder, one black chicken, and an appropriate amount of ginger to remove the fishy smell.Evenly sprinkle the San Qi powder on the prepared black chicken, add ginger slices, and steam until cooked.This dietary therapy is also particularly suitable for recovery after fractures, with excellent results.3. Daily maintenance recommendation: Dan Shen and Shan Zha Powder.Take 2-3g of each, mix with warm water to drink.If the stasis symptoms are severe or if there is coronary heart disease, you can add 2-3g of San Qi powder. Since invigorating blood and resolving stasis can consume qi, it is best to add 2-3g of Xi Yang Shen (American Ginseng) powder to the mix.4. Foot baths for blood stasis may be more effective than medication.The simplest formula is to use Ai Ye (Mugwort) + Hong Hua in a 2:1 ratio for foot baths.I particularly recommend using Tao Hong Si Wu Decoction for foot baths, which invigorates blood without harming it: 9g each of Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Bai Shao (White Peony), Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), and 6g of Hong Hua.If there is significant internal cold, you can add 3-6g of warming ingredients like Ai Ye or Gui Zhi (Cinnamon Twig).5. Moxibustion for adjusting blood stasis constitution.If there are purplish spots or significant pain in certain areas, you can directly moxibust the affected area, and also consider points like Qi Hai (Sea of Qi), Xue Hai (Sea of Blood), Ge Shu (Diaphragm Shu), and Zu San Li (Leg Three Miles).
6. Use of Chinese patent medicines based on differentiation.There are many causes of blood stasis, such as physical trauma, anger, qi and blood deficiency, cold exposure, and phlegm-dampness, all of which can lead to blood stasis. Therefore, there are many varieties of Chinese patent medicines for adjusting blood stasis. It is essential to use the right medicine for the right condition.The following is for educational purposes; do not blindly try medications.For physical trauma, such as falls or localized blockages like sprains, consider Shu Jin Huo Xue Pian (Relax Muscles and Invigorate Blood Tablets) or Huo Xue Zhi Tong Jiao Nang (Invigorate Blood and Alleviate Pain Capsules).For fractures, consider San Qi Shuang Yao Pian (Notoginseng Injury Tablets), Tong Luo Sheng Gu Jiao Nang (Unblock Channels and Promote Bone Capsules), or Shang Ke Jie Gu Pian (Fracture Healing Tablets).If there are symptoms like fibroids, polyps, or cysts, consider Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan (Cinnamon Twig and Poria Pill).If there are heart discomfort (chest pain) or headaches in the upper jiao area, consider Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan (Blood Mansion Eliminating Stasis Pill).If there are symptoms of cold pain in the lower abdomen, dark menstrual blood, or blood clots, consider Shao Fu Zhu Yu Wan (Lower Abdomen Eliminating Stasis Pill).For those with qi and blood deficiency and internal stasis, consider Ba Zhen Yi Mu Wan (Eight Treasure and Beneficial Mother Pill).For cold joint pain, difficulty in flexion and extension, or rheumatic arthritis, consider Xiao Huo Luo Wan (Minor Invigorating Collaterals Pill).For blood stasis caused by liver qi stagnation, consider Hong Hua Xiao Yao Pian (Safflower Free and Easy Tablets). If unavailable, consider Xue Fu Zhu Yu Wan + Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Pill).
These are the recommendations for adjusting blood stasis constitution. In daily life, we should also avoid situations that lead to blood stasis, such as staying up late, consuming greasy and cold foods, being overly cool, and getting angry, etc.More importantly, to resolve blockages, we must ensure smooth circulation in the body, which inevitably requires moderate exercise.Practices like Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Brocade), Tai Chi, and Wu Qin Xi (Five Animal Frolics) can be learned and practiced. Even simple actions like standing on tiptoes, practicing the Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg, swinging arms, and walking slowly can be easily done. I believe that with persistence, one can achieve a state of being free from stasis and feel light all over.
Warm reminder: Non-professionals should avoid using blood-invigorating and stasis-resolving methods during pregnancy.