What are the manifestations of Blood Deficiency?

Symptoms include pale or sallow complexion, pale lips, tongue, and nails, frequent dizziness, hair loss, irregular menstruation, palpitations, insomnia, forgetfulness, cold hands and feet, numbness in limbs, and emaciation.

—— If you experience four or more of these symptoms, it indicates that you have Blood Deficiency.

Common Herbs for Nourishing Blood

1. Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin): Nourishes Yin and Blood

2. Dazao (Jujube): Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach, nourishes Qi and Blood

3. Sangshen (Mulberry Fruit): Nourishes Yin and Blood

4. Danggui (Angelica Sinensis): Activates and nourishes Blood

5. Heimu’er (Black Fungus): Moistens dryness and activates Blood

6. Guiyuan (Longan Flesh): Tonifies Qi and nourishes Blood

How to Choose Blood Nourishing Herbs?

1. Ejiao has the strongest blood-nourishing effect.

Ejiao has been used since ancient times and is named after its place of origin, Dong’e County. The “Shennong Bencao Jing” states: “Ejiao, sweet and neutral in nature, is indicated for internal bleeding, fatigue, symptoms resembling malaria, abdominal pain, limb soreness, and for women to stabilize pregnancy. Long-term use benefits vitality and Qi.” Among tonics, Ginseng, Deer Antler, and Ejiao are considered the three treasures. Regardless of age, anyone with symptoms of Blood Deficiency can consider taking Ejiao.

Many people now believe that Ejiao is a supplement for women and that men should not take it. This is not true; men can also take Ejiao. As men age, liver and kidney functions may decline, necessitating the replenishment of liver and kidney essence and blood.

People with digestive issues should avoid Ejiao.

Although Ejiao is an excellent blood-nourishing herb, it is not suitable for everyone. Ejiao is made from donkey skin and is particularly rich. Those with digestive issues may find that Ejiao further obstructs their stomach Qi. Additionally, individuals with symptoms such as thick and greasy tongue coating, poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or loose stools are also advised against taking Ejiao.

2. For those with Spleen and Stomach deficiency, Dazao is a good choice for nourishing Blood.

When we have Spleen and Stomach deficiency and need to nourish Blood, we can consider using Dazao. Dazao has the effects of strengthening the Spleen, nourishing Blood, and tonifying Qi. The saying “Eat three dates a day, and you won’t age” highlights the benefits of Dazao for the body.

Do not overindulge.

Eating too many dates can still burden the stomach, especially the skin of the dates, which is difficult to digest, so moderation is key.

3. For those with spots, Danggui can be used to nourish Blood.

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that Blood Deficiency accompanied by spots indicates Blood stasis. When the Qi and Blood in the body are not flowing smoothly, waste cannot be metabolized, leading to spots on the face. Danggui both nourishes and activates Blood, making it suitable for patients with Blood Deficiency and facial spots.

Danggui can be used in soups, decoctions, or medicinal dishes. The “Shang Han Lun” from the Han Dynasty includes the recipe for “Danggui, Ginger, and Lamb Soup,” which can treat cold-induced illnesses and alleviate menstrual pain in women, and is also effective for men with liver and kidney deficiency, impotence, and poor sexual function.

Danggui can also be used to make porridge. First, select 8 grams of Danggui, 50 grams of Huangqi (Astragalus), and 100 grams of glutinous rice. Boil the Danggui and Huangqi in water for 30 minutes, then use the decoction to cook the porridge. Consuming this porridge can tonify Qi and nourish Blood, providing excellent blood-nourishing effects for women with insufficient Qi and early menstruation.

People with warm palms should avoid using Danggui for nourishment.

This is because Yin deficiency with heat is present, and Danggui has a warming nature, which is not suitable for those with heat. Such individuals should choose cooling herbs like Dihuang (Rehmannia), Lianzi (Lotus Seed), and Gouqi (Goji Berry).

Conversely, those with cold in the lower abdomen and cold hands and feet are suitable for Danggui, as it has the effects of activating and nourishing Blood, promoting blood circulation.

4. For simultaneous Qi and Blood tonification, Sangshen is recommended.

Sangshen’s main functions are to nourish Yin and Blood, making it a food-medicine dual-purpose item for simultaneous Qi and Blood tonification. The “Sui Xi Ju Yin Shi Pu” states: “Sangshen nourishes the liver and kidneys, enriches blood, strengthens movement, calms wind, and clears empty heat.” The “Bencao Jing Shu” describes Sangshen as a medicine that cools blood, nourishes Blood, and benefits Yin. Therefore, it is commonly referred to as the “Blood Nourishing Fruit.”

It is cool in nature, sweet and sour in taste; the black variety enters the kidneys, while the red variety enters the heart, providing benefits such as tonifying the kidneys, solidifying essence, darkening hair, nourishing Blood, moistening dryness, generating fluids, and calming the mind.

Fresh Sangshen is seasonal, available only for a few days in midsummer; otherwise, we can use dried Sangshen to brew tea.

Do not overindulge.

It is best to limit consumption to no more than two handfuls a day. Sangshen contains a high amount of tannins, and excessive consumption may affect the absorption of other minerals.

Introduction to Common Blood Nourishing Patent Medicines

1. Concentrated Danggui Pills

Function: Nourishes Blood and activates Blood

Indicated for symptoms of Blood Deficiency such as sallow complexion, dizziness, palpitations, and menstrual irregularities in women.

2. Ba Zhen Wan (Eight Treasure Pills)

Function: Tonifies Qi and nourishes Blood, used for symptoms of simultaneous Qi and Blood deficiency such as palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, fatigue, and menstrual irregularities in women.

3. Yiqi Yangxue Oral Liquid

Function: Tonifies Qi and Blood, indicated for symptoms of simultaneous Qi and Blood deficiency such as palpitations, shortness of breath, cold intolerance, and menstrual irregularities in women.

4. Jianpi Shengxue Granules

Function: Strengthens the Spleen and generates Blood, used for symptoms of Qi and Blood deficiency due to Spleen deficiency.

5. Donkey-hide Gelatin Blood Nourishing Granules

Function: Nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, and stops bleeding, indicated for symptoms of Yin and Blood deficiency such as hemoptysis, insomnia, and menstrual irregularities.

6. Compound Ejiao Syrup

Function: Nourishes Yin, moistens dryness, and stops bleeding, indicated for symptoms of Yin and Blood deficiency such as hemoptysis, pallor, palpitations, and menstrual irregularities in women.