Huoxue Huayu (活血化瘀) herbs are used to treat diseases caused by blood stasis in the body due to various reasons, leading to poor blood flow in organs and meridians. There are many traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) related to huoxue huayu, mainly categorized into huoxue huayu menstrual regulation herbs, huoxue huayu pain-relieving herbs, and huoxue huayu hemostatic herbs. The best herb for huoxue huayu is Sanqi (三七), which promotes blood circulation without breaking it, making it particularly suitable for patients with cerebral embolism and stasis-type heart disease.
Huoxue Huayu Herbs (活血化瘀中药)
1. Daxueteng (大血藤)
Daxueteng is prepared from the dried stems of the plant. It mainly grows in the southern regions and is harvested in autumn and winter. Its effects include activating blood circulation and dispelling stasis, as well as relieving pain. It is used to treat menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea caused by blood stasis. Daxueteng has a neutral flavor and can also treat rheumatic pain and persistent pain due to damp-heat in the large intestine.
2. Yujin (郁金)
Yujin is processed by removing mud and fine roots, then steaming and drying it for medicinal use. It mainly grows in Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Sichuan. Its flavor is bitter and cold, and it enters the liver, lung, and heart meridians. Its effects include activating blood circulation, dispelling stasis, relieving pain, and regulating qi. It is used to treat stasis-type heart diseases.
3. Zanghonghua (藏红花)
Zanghonghua is the stigma of the saffron flower and is a precious medicinal material mainly grown in Tibet. Its flavor is sweet and neutral, and it has the effect of activating blood circulation and unblocking meridians. Zanghonghua is particularly effective for women suffering from amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, and it can also be used for stasis-type heart disease. Due to its high price and low yield, it can be used in foot baths for daily maintenance, which also has the effect of activating blood circulation and dispelling stasis.
4. Danshen (丹参)
Danshen is made from the dried roots of the plant, which are mainly harvested in spring and autumn, cleaned, and processed for medicinal use. It has the effect of activating blood circulation and dispelling stasis. Danshen is suitable for patients with stasis-type heart disease and those who frequently experience bruising. It is also beneficial for individuals experiencing anxiety during menopause.
5. Zelan (泽兰)
Zelan is a TCM herb obtained from the aerial parts of the plant, harvested in summer and autumn, and processed for medicinal use. Its properties are pungent and warm, and it enters the liver and spleen meridians. It has the effects of activating blood circulation, regulating menstruation, reducing swelling, and dispelling stasis. Zelan can be used in formulations for regulating menstruation, treating menstrual irregularities, amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea, and can also be used for postpartum discharge that does not stop.
6. Yimucao (益母草)
Yimucao is obtained from the aerial parts of the plant, primarily harvested fresh, with the best efficacy when collected before flowering in early summer. It is known as the first herb for gynecology, treating conditions such as reduced menstrual flow and amenorrhea due to blood stasis, as well as postpartum discharge that does not stop. Yimucao also has diuretic and anti-edema effects. Women who frequently experience dysmenorrhea can use Yimucao in foot baths to activate blood circulation and relieve pain.
7. Chuanxiong (川芎)
Chuanxiong has the effect of activating blood circulation and promoting qi. It mainly grows in Sichuan and has a pungent and warm flavor, entering the liver and gallbladder meridians. It can treat liver qi stagnation, which may lead to amenorrhea and reduced menstrual flow in women. Chuanxiong is known as the “qi herb in blood” and can treat rheumatic pain and headaches caused by wind.
8. Sanqi (三七)
Sanqi, also known as Wensanqi (文三七), has the effect of activating blood circulation without breaking it, making it the top herb for dispelling stasis. Sanqi has a warm and bitter flavor and enters the liver and stomach meridians, treating all diseases caused by blood stasis. Sanqi not only activates blood circulation but also stops bleeding. It can be consumed daily without the need for additional herbs to avoid excessive blood movement.
9. Tubiechong (土鳖虫)
Tubiechong is the dried female of the earthworm, processed for medicinal use. It is widely distributed and has a salty and cold flavor, entering the liver meridian. Its main effects include breaking blood stasis, strengthening tendons, and healing bones. It is used to treat joint sprains and fractures caused by external injuries.
Conclusion: Through the above introduction, it is believed that everyone has gained an understanding of the huoxue huayu herbs and which of these can be used for foot baths. These nine herbs are all effective for activating blood circulation and dispelling stasis, each treating different diseases. When using TCM for health maintenance, it is essential to clearly identify your symptoms before use.
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