Introduction
The blood stasis constitution is characterized by changes in hemodynamics due to various reasons, leading to slowed blood flow or local blood stasis, and even extravasation of blood outside the vessels. Individuals with a blood stasis constitution typically present with a dull complexion, dark lips, dark circles under the eyes, rough skin, easy bruising, a purple or dark tongue with stasis spots, a thin and choppy pulse, abdominal masses or lumps, and in women, symptoms such as dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, and metrorrhagia. Such individuals should select different foods based on the diseasecause to invigorate blood and dispel stasis, smooth the blood vessels; nourish yin and invigorate blood, regulate qi to transform stasis.
Dietary Management for Blood Stasis Constitution
Individuals with a blood stasis constitution should select foods based on different causes.
Dietary Principles
1. Since the causes of blood stasis vary, it is important to choose foods according to the etiology. For example, if qi deficiency cannot promote blood circulation, use qi-tonifying foods such as Huang Qi (Astragalus) and Ren Shen (Ginseng); if blood is cold, causing blood vessels to constrict and blood flow to be obstructed, use warming foods to dispel cold, such as Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Gui Pi (Cinnamon), and La Jiao (Chili); if there is insufficient blood and fluids, leading to poor blood flow, use blood-nourishing and heat-clearing foods such as Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) and Shi Hu (Dendrobium).
2. On the basis of foods that invigorate blood and dispel stasis, appropriately add qi-regulating foods such as Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel), Sha Ren (Amomum Fruit), and wine to promote qi and invigorate blood.
3. Long-term consumption of both blood-invigorating and blood-nourishing foods is recommended, alternating between the two.
Food Selection
Recommended foods for individuals with a blood stasis constitution: Jiu Cai (Leek), You Cai Tai (Rapeseed Sprouts), Bao Xin Cai (Cabbage), Sheng Ou (Raw Lotus Root), Da Chao Cai (Large Nest Vegetable), Di Sun (Earth Bamboo), Shan Zha (Hawthorn), Mei Hua (Rose), Gui Hua (Osmanthus), Ji Rou (Chicken), Ya Xue (Duck Blood), E Xue (Goose Blood), Hua Ji Wa (Flower Frog), Pang Xie (Crab), Hai Xie (Sea Crab), Hong Mai (Red Wheat), Gui Pi (Cinnamon), Yin Xing Ye (Ginkgo Leaf), Huai Hua (Sophora Flower), Hong Tang (Brown Sugar), Li Zi (Chestnut), Jin Ju (Kumquat), You Zi (Pomelo), Tao Zi (Peach), Li Zi (Plum), Cheng Zi (Orange), Fan Mu Guo (Papaya), Mang Guo (Mango), Jiu (Wine), Hong Hua (Safflower), Cha (Tea), etc.
Recipe Compilation
1. Fried Sea Crab
Ingredients: 2 Sea Crabs, 100g Peanut Oil, 2g Salt, 5mL Cooking Wine, 10g Chili Powder to taste.
Method: Remove the abdomen and shell of the sea crabs, clean the gills, chop them in half, place in a bowl, add cooking wine, salt, and chili powder to marinate for a while; heat a wok, pour in peanut oil until hot, dip the cut surface of the crab in starch, and fry until golden brown, then remove and arrange on a plate. Fry the crab shell until red and place it back on the fried crab to restore its original shape.
Effect: Invigorates blood and dispels stasis. Suitable for individuals with a blood stasis constitution, can be consumed by the general public.
2. Cold Dressed Earth Bamboo
Ingredients: 250g Earth Bamboo, appropriate amounts of fine salt, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
Method: Clean the earth bamboo, peel it, cut it into shreds, place in a bowl, add a small amount of fine salt to marinate slightly, squeeze out some moisture, place on a plate, add fine salt, soy sauce, and sesame oil, mix well to serve.
Effect: Benefits qi, invigorates blood, and promotes diuresis. Suitable for individuals with a blood stasis constitution, qi deficiency constitution, phlegm-damp constitution, can be consumed by the general public.
3. Chestnut Braised Vegetable Heart
Ingredients: 250g Fresh Chestnuts, 500g Bok Choy, 13g Starch, 2g Salt, 5g Sesame Oil, 1g Pepper Powder, 40g Rendered Lard.
Method: Shell the chestnuts, wash them, and slice them into 0.7cm thick pieces; heat the wok with rendered lard until moderately hot, add the chestnuts and fry for 2 minutes until golden, then remove and drain the oil; place the drained chestnuts in a small bowl, add fine salt, and steam for 10 minutes; wash the bok choy, take the tender hearts, and wash clean; heat the wok with rendered lard until hot, add the vegetable hearts, and stir-fry for a short while; add the chestnuts, dilute the wet starch to thicken, serve on a plate, drizzle with sesame oil, and sprinkle with pepper powder.
Effect: Invigorates blood, disperses stasis, and promotes bowel movement. Suitable for individuals with a blood stasis constitution, damp-heat constitution, can be consumed by the general public.
4. Stir-fried Red Oil Vegetable Sprouts
Ingredients: 500g Red Oil Vegetable Sprouts, appropriate amounts of oil, minced garlic, dried chili, and salt.
Method: Remove old leaves and skins from the red oil vegetable sprouts, wash clean, and cut into sections; cut dried red chilies into segments, removing the seeds; heat the wok, add oil and dried red chilies, stir-fry until they change color, then add the red oil vegetable sprouts and stir-fry until soft, add minced garlic, and season with salt to taste.
Effect: Invigorates blood, disperses stasis, promotes bowel movement, and stops bleeding. Suitable for individuals with a blood stasis constitution, damp-heat constitution, can be consumed by the general public.
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“Health Strategies – Constitution and Diet“
“Food is the God of the People,” with the heavens having yin and yang, rain and snow, and the people having distinctions of gender and body types. What determines what one should eat or not can only be one’s constitution. Understanding what one should eat is equally important as knowing what one should avoid. The focus of this book is to achieve a combination of constitution and the properties of food based on the four qi and five flavors of food.
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This article is excerpted from “Health Strategies – Constitution and Diet”,compiled by Sun Hongwei, published by China Traditional Chinese Medicine Press, copyright belongs to the relevant rights holders. The image of red oil vegetable sprouts is by HiC, and other images are copyrighted by the publisher, please do not steal images.
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