Blood-activating traditional Chinese medicines are used for conditions such as blood stasis and obstruction. Due to the different locations of stasis and varying causes of disease, the symptoms can differ, such as in cases of stroke or chest obstruction. Below, we introduce six blood-activating traditional Chinese medicines:
Fangfang Danshen Pian (Compound Danshen Tablets)is composed of Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza), Sanqi (Panax notoginseng), and Bingpian (Borneol). Danshen is the monarch herb that invigorates blood, dispels stasis, calms the heart, and alleviates pain. Sanqi serves as the minister herb that invigorates blood, dispels stasis, and alleviates pain. Bingpian, with its aromatic properties, opens the orifices, alleviates pain, and clears turbidity, guiding the other herbs into the heart channel, serving as the assistant herb. Together, they work to invigorate blood, dispel stasis, and alleviate pain. Modern pharmacological studies confirm that Fangfang Danshen Pian has effects such as anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-arrhythmia, improving blood rheology, and anti-thrombosis.Clinically, Fangfang Danshen Pian can be used for chest obstruction due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, presenting with symptoms such as chest tightness or sudden severe chest pain, with fixed pain that may radiate to the back, a purple or dark tongue, and a wiry or choppy pulse, particularly in cases of coronary heart disease with angina.
Xuefu Zhuyu Wan (Blood Mansion Dispersing Pills)is composed of Taoren (Prunus persica), Honghua (Carthamus tinctorius), Danggui (Angelica sinensis), Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong), Dihuang (Rehmannia glutinosa), Chishaoyao (Paeonia lactiflora), Niuxi (Achyranthes bidentata), Chaihu (Bupleurum chinense), Zhike (Citrus aurantium), Jiegeng (Platycodon grandiflorum), and Gancao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Taoren and Honghua are the monarch herbs that invigorate blood, dispel stasis, and alleviate pain. Dihuang, Chuanxiong, Chishaoyao, Danggui, and Niuxi serve as minister herbs that invigorate blood, dispel stasis, and alleviate pain, enhancing the effects of the monarch herbs. Chaihu soothes the liver and relieves depression, while Zhike opens the chest and promotes qi flow, facilitating blood circulation. Gancao harmonizes the other herbs, serving as the envoy herb. Together, they work to invigorate blood, dispel stasis, and alleviate pain. Modern pharmacological studies confirm that Xuefu Zhuyu Wan has effects such as anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy, anti-myocardial fibrosis, lowering blood lipids, improving microcirculation, and liver protection.Clinically, Xuefu Zhuyu Wan can be used for palpitations due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, presenting with symptoms such as palpitations, chest discomfort, insomnia with vivid dreams, a dark red or purplish tongue, and a wiry or tight pulse. It can also be used for headaches due to blood stasis, presenting with fixed, stabbing pain, a dark red or purplish tongue, and a wiry pulse. Additionally, it can be used for chest obstruction due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, presenting with stabbing chest pain, irritability, palpitations, shortness of breath, a dark red or purplish tongue, and a wiry or tight pulse, particularly in cases of coronary heart disease with angina.
Shexiang Baoxin Wan (Musk Heart Preserving Pills)is composed of artificial musk, ginseng extract, cinnamon, Suhexiang (Liquidambaris), Chan Su (Bufo bufo), artificial niuhuang (Bovine bile), and Bingpian (Borneol). Musk is the monarch herb that invigorates blood, dispels stasis, and alleviates pain. Ginseng tonifies qi and strengthens the spleen; cinnamon warms yang and opens the channels; Chan Su opens the orifices and alleviates pain; Suhexiang is aromatic and warms the channels, serving as a minister herb. Artificial niuhuang opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, while Bingpian opens the orifices and alleviates pain, serving as assistant herbs. Together, they work to provide aromatic warming, open the orifices, alleviate pain, tonify qi, and strengthen the heart. Modern pharmacological studies confirm that Shexiang Baoxin Wan has effects such as anti-myocardial ischemia, lowering blood lipids, improving blood rheology, anti-chronic heart failure, and anti-myocardial fibrosis.Clinically, Shexiang Baoxin Wan can be used for chest obstruction due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, presenting with symptoms such as chest obstruction, chest tightness, and fixed pain in the precordial area, with a dark red or purplish tongue and a wiry or choppy pulse, particularly in cases of coronary heart disease with angina or myocardial infarction.
Su Xiao Jiu Xin Wan (Rapid Heart Rescue Pills)is composed of Chuanxiong (Ligusticum chuanxiong) and Bingpian (Borneol). Chuanxiong is a monarch herb with warm, acrid properties that invigorates blood, dispels stasis, promotes qi flow, and alleviates pain. Bingpian has acrid, bitter, and cool properties, promoting the flow of qi and awakening the spirit, serving as a minister herb that enhances the transdermal and mucosal absorption of Chuanxiong’s effective components. Together, they fully utilize the aromatic properties of the herbs to achieve the effects of promoting qi flow, invigorating blood, dispelling stasis, and alleviating pain. Modern pharmacological studies confirm that Su Xiao Jiu Xin Wan has effects such as anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-hypoxia, and analgesic effects.Clinically, Su Xiao Jiu Xin Wan can be used for chest obstruction due to qi stagnation and blood stasis, presenting with symptoms such as chest tightness and pain, palpitations, or fixed pain that may radiate to the inner side of the left arm, with a purple tongue and thin, choppy coating, particularly in cases of coronary heart disease with angina.
Di’ao Xinxue Kang Jiao Nang (Diao Heart Blood Health Capsules)is composed of the total saponins extracted from the roots of Dioscorea opposita or Dioscorea zingiberensis. These herbs are bitter and neutral, capable of invigorating blood, promoting qi flow, and alleviating pain. Their extracts have effects of invigorating blood, dispelling stasis, and alleviating pain. Modern pharmacological studies confirm that Di’ao Xinxue Kang Jiao Nang has effects such as anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia, and lowering blood lipids.Clinically, Di’ao Xinxue Kang Jiao Nang can be used for chest obstruction due to blood stasis, presenting with symptoms such as fixed chest pain that may radiate to the shoulder and back, palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, a dark red or purplish tongue, and a wiry or choppy pulse, particularly in cases of coronary heart disease with angina. Additionally, it can be used for palpitations due to blood stasis, presenting with symptoms such as anxiety, chest tightness, and pain that occurs intermittently, shortness of breath, or cyanosis of the lips and nails, with a dark red or purplish tongue and a choppy or wiry pulse, particularly in cases of functional arrhythmias or coronary heart disease with angina.
Tongxinluo Jiao Nang (Heart Channel Unblocking Capsules)is composed of Ren Shen (Ginseng), Huai Niu (Leech), Tu Bie Chong (Eupolyphaga), Chishaoyao (Paeonia lactiflora), Ruxiang (Frankincense), Jiangxiang (Sandalwood), Quanxie (Scorpion), Wugong (Centipede), Tanshan (Sandalwood), Bingpian (Borneol), Chan Tui (Cicada Slough), and Suanzaoren (Sour Jujube Seed, roasted). Ren Shen is the monarch herb that greatly tonifies the original qi and benefits blood circulation. Huai Niu, Tu Bie Chong, Chishaoyao, Ruxiang, and Jiangxiang serve as minister herbs that invigorate blood, dispel stasis, and alleviate pain. Quanxie and Wugong unblock the channels and alleviate pain, while Tanshan promotes qi flow and alleviates pain; Bingpian opens the orifices and alleviates pain; Chan Tui dispels wind and alleviates pain; Suanzaoren nourishes the heart and calms the spirit, serving as assistant herbs. Together, they work to tonify qi, invigorate blood, promote qi flow, and alleviate pain. Modern pharmacological studies confirm that Tongxinluo Jiao Nang has effects such as anti-myocardial ischemia, anti-cerebral ischemia, increasing blood flow, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-thrombosis, improving microcirculation, and anti-ventricular arrhythmias.Clinically, Tongxinluo Jiao Nang can be used for chest obstruction due to insufficient heart qi, blood stasis, and lack of nourishment to the heart, presenting with symptoms such as chest tightness, stabbing pain in the precordial area, palpitations, shortness of breath, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, a thin, choppy pulse, and a pale purple tongue, particularly in cases of coronary heart disease with angina. Additionally, it can be used for stroke due to qi deficiency and blood stasis, presenting with symptoms such as hemiplegia, numbness throughout the body, facial drooping, and difficulty speaking, particularly in cases of ischemic stroke.