In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), blood deficiency (xue xu) refers to a series of symptoms resulting from insufficient blood, leading to inadequate nourishment of the organs and tissues. When blood is deficient, the vessels are empty, and the body lacks moisture and nourishment, resulting in pale complexion, pale lips, a pale tongue, and brittle nails, along with a thin and weak pulse.
When blood deficiency leads to insufficient nourishment of the organs and tissues, symptoms such as dizziness, blurred vision, dry eyes, palpitations, numbness in the hands and feet, and in women, scanty and pale menstrual flow may occur. Additionally, blood deficiency can cause disturbances in the mind, leading to symptoms like insomnia, forgetfulness, and fatigue. Therefore, patients with blood deficiency need to tonify the blood.
Typical Symptoms
The main manifestations in patients include a pale or sallow complexion, dry and brittle hair, dry skin, dizziness, insomnia, vivid dreams, and irritability. Women may experience scanty menstrual flow that is pale in color. In severe cases, amenorrhea may occur.
1. Heart Blood Deficiency Syndrome (Xin Xue Xu Zheng)
Symptoms include palpitations, anxiety, dizziness, insomnia with vivid dreams, easy fright, forgetfulness, pale complexion, pale lips and tongue, and a thin or weak pulse.
2. Liver Blood Deficiency Syndrome (Gan Xue Xu Zheng)
Symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, pain in the hypochondrium, numbness in the limbs, difficulty in flexing and extending, or involuntary muscle twitching. Women may experience menstrual irregularities, and in severe cases, amenorrhea. The complexion may lack luster, the tongue may be pale, and the pulse may be wiry and thin or thin and rough.
In TCM, it is believed that Qi and blood support each other; therefore, blood deficiency can often lead to Qi deficiency, and even a combination of Qi and blood deficiency. Treatment involves tonifying Qi and nourishing blood.
