Summary of TCM Courses

01

All Courses by Ni Haixia

02

Comprehensive Guide to TCM Treatments for Common Diseases

03

Focused Study on TCM Topics

04

Online Reading of TCM Learning Books

In daily life, doctors often diagnose conditions as Blood Deficiency (Xue Xu), Blood Stasis (Xue Yu), Blood Cold (Xue Han), or Blood Heat (Xue Re). What are the differences, and which condition do you or your family members have? After confirming symptoms and constitution with a doctor, what else can you do besides regular treatment?

Blood Deficiency (Xue Xu)

What is Blood Deficiency?

Blood Deficiency refers to a deficiency of blood that leads to inadequate nourishment of the organs, meridians, and body tissues. All skin and tissues in the body require blood for nourishment and fullness. When there is insufficient blood in the body, it cannot moisten and nourish the skin and tissues, resulting in Blood Deficiency.

Symptoms of Blood Deficiency

Individuals with Blood Deficiency often have a poor complexion, pale and sallow skin, and lack of color in the lips, tongue, and nails. They may experience dizziness, palpitations, and vivid dreams; in severe cases, they may suffer from 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 experience significant hair loss in a short period.

Causes of Blood Deficiency

Common causes include dietary imbalance, excessive labor, 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 key to 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. Friends diagnosed with Blood Deficiency can consider the following in addition to the doctor’s prescriptions:

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 can nourish the liver, improve vision, and enrich blood, making it suitable for those with Blood Deficiency and anemia. The combination is very effective when stewed together.Prepare 100 grams each of soybeans and pig liver. First, cook the soybeans until they are 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 (Xue Yu)

What is Blood Stasis?

Blood Stasis refers to a pathological state where blood circulation is slow and unimpeded, 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 masses may appear dark purple, while internal masses may be hard and immovable upon palpation. There may be recurrent bleeding with dark purple blood or black stools. Women often 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 blood leaking outside the vessels, resulting in Blood Stasis.

Dietary Therapy for Blood Stasis

Individuals with a constitution of qi stagnation and blood stasis should choose foods that promote qi movement and invigorate blood. They should reduce salt and monosodium glutamate intake to avoid increasing blood viscosity and worsening Blood Stasis. Friends diagnosed with Blood Stasis need not worry; in addition to following the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment, they can also choose:

Black Bean Porridge: Black beans have a sweet flavor and neutral nature, which can dispel wind and 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 porridge that is beneficial 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 (Xue Han)

What is Blood Cold?

Blood Cold refers to the invasion of cold pathogens into the blood, causing stagnation of qi and 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 after blood deficiency, or women experiencing cold during menstruation and 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 and 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 middle, disperses cold, stops vomiting, restores yang, opens the meridians, nourishes blood, and strengthens the vital energy.

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 (Xue Re)

What is Blood Heat?

Blood Heat refers to the invasion of heat pathogens into the blood, leading to accelerated blood flow.

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 palms and soles. They may also experience bleeding symptoms such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, hematuria, or coughing up blood. Some patients may develop psoriasis.

Causes of Blood Heat

TCM believes that excessive yang energy in the body, high fire energy, 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 seafood and spicy foods, 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 and avoid warming and drying foods. Those diagnosed with Blood Heat need not be anxious; according to the doctor’s recommendations, they can take medication for adjustment and also choose:

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

For bone diseases, use Black Baitong; for skin diseases, use Oxygen Oil!