Differentiation of Blood Deficiency, Blood Stasis, Blood Cold, and Blood Heat in Traditional Chinese Medicine with Dietary Therapy

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In daily life, doctors often diagnose conditions as Blood Deficiency (血虚), Blood Stasis (血瘀), Blood Cold (血寒), or Blood Heat (血热). What are the differences among these conditions, and which one might you or your family be experiencing? After confirming symptoms and constitution with a healthcare provider, what else can you do besides regular treatment?

Blood Deficiency (血虚)

What is Blood Deficiency?

Blood Deficiency refers to a deficiency of blood that leads to inadequate nourishment of the organs, meridians, and tissues. All skin and bodily tissues require blood for nourishment and fullness; when there is insufficient blood in the body, it results in Blood Deficiency.

Symptoms of Blood Deficiency

Individuals with Blood Deficiency often have a poor complexion, pale and sallow skin, and lips and nails that are very light in color. Symptoms may include dizziness, palpitations, vivid dreams, and in severe cases, dizziness, numbness in the hands and feet, or even night blindness. Women may experience scanty menstrual flow, pale color, or even amenorrhea. Some patients may also experience significant hair loss in a short period.

Causes of Blood Deficiency

Common causes include poor diet, excessive fatigue, emotional distress, and significant blood loss. Long-term illness or extreme physical weakness can also lead to Blood Deficiency.

Dietary Therapy for Blood Deficiency

The focus of nourishing blood is to strengthen the spleen. TCM believes that the spleen and stomach are the source of blood production. With a balanced diet and normal spleen and stomach function, blood will be continuously generated. Therefore, to nourish blood, one must first strengthen the spleen and stomach. For those diagnosed with Blood Deficiency, in addition to the prescribed medications, you may consider:

Stewed Soybeans with Pig Liver: TCM considers soybeans to have a sweet flavor and neutral nature, which can strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, and nourish blood. Pig liver is known to nourish the liver, improve vision, and enrich blood, making it suitable for those with Blood Deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. The combination is very effective.

Prepare 100 grams each of soybeans and pig liver. First, cook the soybeans until they are about 80% done, then add the pig liver and continue to stew until fully cooked. Consume twice daily for three weeks for optimal results.

Blood Stasis (血瘀)

What is Blood Stasis?

Blood Stasis refers to a pathological state where blood circulation is slow and obstructed, leading to stagnation of qi and blood.

Symptoms of Blood Stasis

Individuals with Blood Stasis often have a dark complexion, deep purple lips, and localized pain in the body. In severe cases, the pain can feel like being cut by a knife, and it may worsen at night. Surface lumps may appear dark purple, while internal ones may be hard and immovable upon pressure. There may be recurrent bleeding with dark purple blood or black stools. Women may commonly experience amenorrhea.

Causes of Blood Stasis

Blood Stasis is caused by obstruction of blood circulation. Blood should flow freely, but various pathogenic factors can lead to blood accumulation or leakage outside the vessels, resulting in Blood Stasis.

Dietary Therapy for Blood Stasis

For those with qi stagnation and blood stasis, it is advisable to choose foods that promote qi movement and invigorate blood circulation, while minimizing salt and MSG to avoid increasing blood viscosity and worsening stasis. Friends diagnosed with Blood Stasis need not worry; in addition to following medical advice and treatment, you can also choose:

Black Bean Porridge: Black beans have a sweet flavor and neutral nature, which can dispel wind, clear heat, regulate the middle and lower qi, detoxify, promote diuresis, and nourish the kidneys and blood. Japonica rice nourishes yin, generates fluids, alleviates thirst, strengthens the spleen and stomach, and consolidates the intestines. Together, with added brown sugar, they make a beneficial porridge for those with Blood Stasis.

Prepare 50 grams of black beans, 100 grams of japonica rice, and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Wash the black beans and soak them until soft, then add the japonica rice and water to cook the porridge, adding brown sugar before serving.

Blood Cold (血寒)

What is Blood Cold?

Blood Cold refers to the invasion of cold pathogens into the blood, causing stagnation of qi and obstructed blood flow.

Symptoms of Blood Cold

Individuals with Blood Cold often feel cold and prefer warmth. They tend to enjoy hot foods, have cold hands and feet, and may experience purple skin. Sometimes they may have abdominal pain, which alleviates when warmed. Women may experience delayed menstruation with dark purple blood and clots.

Causes of Blood Cold

Blood Cold is caused by exposure to cold pathogens, insufficient qi and blood, prolonged exposure to cold, or women experiencing cold during menstruation or consuming excessive cold foods.

Dietary Therapy for Blood Cold

Individuals with Blood Cold should consume more warming foods and avoid cold foods. Friends diagnosed with Blood Cold need not panic; under medical guidance, they can also incorporate:

Ginger and Red Date Tea: Ginger has a spicy flavor that can invigorate blood and dispel cold. Red dates can tonify the middle, benefit qi, nourish blood, and calm the spirit. Together, they make a tea that warms the center, disperses cold, alleviates nausea, restores yang, opens the meridians, nourishes blood, and strengthens qi.

Use 150 grams of ginger and 5-6 red dates. Wash and slice the ginger, then boil it with the red dates in about 500ml of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Before serving, add an appropriate amount of brown sugar, and try to consume it in the morning.

Blood Heat (血热)

What is Blood Heat?

Blood Heat refers to the invasion of heat pathogens into the blood, causing accelerated blood flow and abnormal conditions.

Symptoms of Blood Heat

Individuals with Blood Heat often have red, oily skin and are prone to acne. They may exhibit irritability, mood swings, and hot hands and feet. Symptoms may include bleeding, such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, hematuria, or coughing up blood. Some patients may also suffer from psoriasis.

Causes of Blood Heat

TCM believes that excessive yang energy, high heat, and overheating of the blood can accelerate blood flow and increase pulse rate. This may be due to irritability, poor emotional state, or excessive consumption of spicy seafood, which can harm the spleen and stomach, leading to Blood Heat.

Dietary Therapy for Blood Heat

Individuals with Blood Heat should consume more cooling and moistening foods while avoiding warming and drying foods. Those diagnosed with Blood Heat need not be anxious; according to medical advice, they can take medications and also choose:

Chrysanthemum Tea: Chrysanthemum has a sweet and bitter flavor, is cold in nature, and can disperse wind, clear heat, brighten the eyes, and detoxify. It is effective for acne, throat inflammation, wind-heat, headaches, and oral ulcers caused by excessive dryness and heat.

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