Ancient physicians saved lives and added vibrant strokes to the development of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Among them, one physician is known as the “Master of Blood Stasis”. He proposed the theory that “the cause of all diseases is due to blood stasis” and, combining over 40 years of clinical practice, authored the book Yilin Gai Cuo, summarizing over 60 types of Qi deficiency syndromes and 50 types of blood stasis syndromes. Today, I will share with you the four blood-invigorating soups from this TCM master: Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction, Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction, Gexia Zhuyu Decoction, and Shentong Zhuyu Decoction, which can eliminate stasis in the head, limbs, chest, upper abdomen, and lower limbs!
Master of Blood Stasis Wang Qingren
In the Suwen: On Regulating the Menstrual Cycle, it is stated that “the human body consists of blood and Qi”. “The pathways of the five organs are all derived from the marrow, to circulate Qi and blood. When blood and Qi are not harmonious, various diseases arise.” Since the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing first proposed the term “blood stasis”, and by the time of the Qing Dynasty, Wang Qingren had inherited the thoughts of his predecessors and established the theory of blood stasis.
To investigate blood stasis, Wang Qingren did something “shocking”; during the strict feudal etiquette of the Qing Dynasty, he entered execution grounds to dissect corpses and observe them. Through extensive dissections, he deduced the phenomenon of blood stasis causing disease. He believed that if a person’s vital energy is deficient and cannot reach the blood vessels, the blood becomes weak and stagnant! Symptoms like dizziness, tinnitus, numbness and tremors in the limbs, mental fatigue, and drowsiness are actually due to deficiency of vital energy, leading to stasis; while conditions such as coronary heart disease, angina, chest pain, cerebral thrombosis, headaches, paralysis, and concussions are all related to stasis!
If blood stasis does not dissipate, new blood cannot be generated, worsening the stasis. If blood stasis does not resolve, the whole body will ache, creating a vicious cycle. Therefore, as adults, we must always be vigilant about: invigorating blood and resolving stasis.
“Zhuyu Decoction” for Eliminating Blood Stasis Throughout the Body
1Blood Stasis in the Head and Face: Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction
Clinical Applications: Stroke, headaches, dizziness, skull injuries, dementia, brain tumors, hair loss, facial cyanosis, vitiligo, rosacea, etc.
250g of yellow wine, 0.15g of musk, 9g of scallions, 7 dates, 9g of ginger, 9g of safflower, 9g of peach kernel, 6g of Chuanxiong (Szechuan Lovage), 6g of red peony.
Method: Boil the seven herbs until 150ml remains, strain, add musk to the wine, boil for another two times, and take before bed.
When blood stasis is in the brain, the heart’s blood cannot be generated, and blocked pathways can lead to the above conditions. Musk is the monarch herb in this formula because it is excellent at opening the orifices; its aromatic properties can circulate through the twelve meridians and harmonize blood and channels. Wang Qingren used red peony and Chuanxiong to invigorate blood, peach kernel and safflower to resolve stasis and open channels, combined with ginger and dates to harmonize the spleen and stomach, and scallions to guide the Yang Qi to open the channels, thus invigorating blood and opening the orifices.
2Blood Stasis in the Chest: Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction
Clinical Applications: Chest pain, palpitations, insomnia with vivid dreams, coronary heart disease, angina, rheumatic heart disease, chest contusions, costochondritis, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, thromboangiitis obliterans, neuroses, post-concussion syndrome, etc.
The principle of simplicity is the law of development for all things in the universe, the essence of Chinese culture, and the philosophy of Daoism. The so-called “true transmission is a single sentence, while false transmission is a thousand volumes of books”. “The beginning of all things is simple, and the evolution is complex” comes from Laozi’s Dao De Jing. The principle of simplicity is not only valued by philosophical schools such as Daoism and Confucianism but also represents a state of life.
The principle of simplicity is profound yet simple; when one understands, it becomes simple, and simplicity leads to profundity. From seeing a mountain as a mountain to seeing a mountain as a mountain, the realm is different. From simplicity to complexity, and then back to simplicity, is sublimation. The meaning of life lies in simplicity; when a person cultivates to a certain extent, they will become indifferent to many things and embrace simplicity. You can understand others, but others may not understand you. In fact, it is not about understanding but about recognition.
Being refined in heart and simple in form. Questioning the soul is the ultimate human issue; simplicity is not only a beauty but also a capability and a realm. Seeing through without revealing, high realm; seeing vaguely, heart transparent; knowing the unknown, intentionally not seeing through, is true clarity; knowing that worldly matters cannot be seen through is clarity. The clarity after clarity, understanding after misunderstanding, and being confused is the true realm.
The principle of simplicity is the wisdom of being human; to simplify complex matters requires wisdom. Returning complex matters to simplicity requires wisdom, ability, and determination. Wise people appreciate the principle of simplicity, thus, one should not chase after fame and profit; one should not be burdened by reputation and wealth. Being indifferent clarifies one’s aspirations, and tranquility leads to far-reaching goals. We should live simply and work diligently, using wisdom to simplify the complex.
To abandon fame and fortune, to be pure like a child’s innocent virginity, to be simple like the fertile land cultivated by our ancestors, only those with a calm heart can see the leisurely scene of “the setting sun shining on the village, the cattle and sheep returning home in the narrow alley” and hear the heavenly sounds of “the lotus breeze sending autumn air, the bamboo dew dripping with a clear sound”. Tao Yuanming was such a person, which is why he could compose the verse “Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, I leisurely see the southern mountain”; Ouyang Xiu was also such a person, which is why he could still write the Record of the Drunken Old Man’s Pavilion with ease during his exile.
The principle of simplicity is also applicable to life. Enlightenment makes the profound simple, and simplicity makes the profound. Life’s meaning lies in simplicity; when one reaches a certain level, they will become indifferent to many things and embrace simplicity. You can understand others, but others may not understand you. In fact, it is not about understanding but about recognition.
Glycyrrhiza 8g, Platycodon 3g, Achyranthes 9g, Fructus Aurantii 6g, Bupleurum 3g, Safflower 9g, Peach Kernel 12g, Chuanxiong 4.5g, Red Peony 6g, Angelica 9g, Rehmannia 9g.
Wang Qingren’s concept of “blood stasis in the blood mansion” actually refers to blood stasis blocking the chest, causing Qi stagnation, and the clear Yang being restrained from rising, which leads to chest pain, headaches, fixed pain, and a dark red tongue with stasis spots. This formula has been explained by Baicao Jun, so I will not elaborate further. For those interested, you can click on Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction.
3Blood Stasis in the Upper Abdomen: Gexia Zhuyu Decoction
Clinical Applications: Chronic active hepatitis, diabetic nephropathy, ectopic pregnancy, chronic ulcerative colitis, primary dysmenorrhea, uterine fibroids, etc.
Glycyrrhiza 9g, Fructus Aurantii 4.5g, Cyperus 4.5g, Corydalis 3g, Lindera 6g, Safflower 9g, Peach Kernel (crushed) 9g, Red Peony 6g, Moutan 6g, Chuanxiong 6g, Angelica 9g, Wulingzhi (fried) 6g.
The term “Gexia” refers to the spleen, stomach, liver, and small intestine, the area above the navel, often caused by liver Qi stagnation and blood stasis leading to abdominal masses, fixed pain, and prolonged diarrhea. In this formula, red peony, Chuanxiong, and Angelica nourish and invigorate blood, dispelling stasis without harming Yin blood; peach kernel, safflower, Wulingzhi, and Moutan are used to break stasis and disperse masses, while Cyperus, Lindera, Fructus Aurantii, and Corydalis move Qi and relieve pain, with Glycyrrhiza harmonizing the herbs. Regulating Qi and soothing the liver is optimal, focusing on breaking the stasis in the upper abdomen and relieving pain.
4Shoulder, Neck, and Leg Pain: Shentong Zhuyu Decoction
Clinical Applications: Rheumatoid arthritis, wind-heat, wind-damp myalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, low back and leg pain, muscle and joint pain, numbness, heaviness, etc.
Glycyrrhiza 10g, Earthworm 10g, Wulingzhi 10g, Myrrh 10g, Safflower 10g, Cyperus 6g, Qianghuo 6g, Gentiana 6g, Chuanxiong 6g, Achyranthes 15g, Peach Kernel 15g, Angelica 15g.
Exposure to wind, cold, damp, and heat pathogens can cause joint and muscle pain, numbness, and difficulty in movement, due to Qi and blood obstruction. Shentong Zhuyu Decoction uses Gentiana and Qianghuo to dispel wind and dampness, while peach kernel, safflower, Angelica, and Chuanxiong invigorate blood and dispel stasis. Myrrh, Wulingzhi, and Cyperus are used to move Qi and blood, relieve pain, while Achyranthes and Earthworm open the meridians and benefit the joints. Shentong Zhuyu Decoction invigorates blood, dispels stasis, expels wind and dampness, and alleviates pain.
Source: Baicao Yishou
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