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In daily life, doctors often diagnose conditions as blood deficiency (xue xu), blood stasis (xue yu), blood cold (xue han), or blood heat (xue re). What are the differences between these conditions, and which one might you or your family be experiencing? After confirming symptoms and constitution with a doctor, what else can you do besides regular treatment? In this article, we will explore each condition in detail.
1. Blood Deficiency (Xue Xu)
(1) What is Blood Deficiency?
Blood deficiency refers to a state where the blood is insufficient, leading to a lack of nourishment in the organs, meridians, and body tissues. All skin and tissue in the body require blood for nourishment; when there is insufficient blood, it cannot adequately moisten and fill these tissues, resulting in blood deficiency.
(2) Symptoms of Blood Deficiency
Individuals with blood deficiency often have a poor complexion, pale and sallow skin, and their lips, tongue, and nails may appear very light in color. Symptoms can include dizziness, palpitations, vivid dreams, and in severe cases, dizziness, numbness in the hands and feet, and even night blindness. Women may experience light menstrual flow, pale color, or even amenorrhea. Some patients may also experience significant hair loss in a short period.
(3) Causes of Blood Deficiency
Common causes include poor diet, excessive labor, emotional distress, and significant blood loss. Long-term illness or extreme physical weakness can also lead to blood deficiency.
(4) Dietary Adjustments for Blood Deficiency
The key to nourishing blood is to strengthen the spleen. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the spleen and stomach are the source of blood production. When diet is balanced and the spleen and stomach function normally, blood will be continuously generated. Therefore, to nourish blood, one must first strengthen the spleen and stomach. For those diagnosed with blood deficiency, in addition to the prescribed medications, you can consider—
Stewed Soybeans with Pig Liver: TCM considers soybeans to have a sweet flavor and neutral nature, which can strengthen the spleen, eliminate dampness, and nourish blood. Pig liver can nourish the liver, improve vision, and replenish blood, making it suitable for those with blood deficiency and anemia. The combination is very effective.
Prepare 100 grams each of soybeans and pig liver. First, cook the soybeans until they are about 80% done, then add the pig liver and continue cooking until fully cooked. Consume twice daily for three weeks for optimal results.
2. Blood Stasis (Xue Yu)
(1) What is Blood Stasis?
Blood stasis refers to a pathological state where blood circulation is slow and obstructed, leading to stagnation of qi and blood.
(2) Symptoms of Blood Stasis
Individuals with blood stasis often have a dark complexion, deep purple lips, and localized pain in the body. In severe cases, the pain can feel like being cut by a knife, and it may worsen at night. Surface lumps may appear dark purple, while internal ones may be hard and immovable upon pressure. There may be recurrent bleeding with dark purple blood, or black stools. Women may commonly experience amenorrhea.
(3) Causes of Blood Stasis
Blood stasis occurs when blood circulation is obstructed. Blood should flow freely, but various pathogenic factors can lead to blood accumulation or leakage outside the vessels, resulting in blood stasis.
(4) Dietary Adjustments for Blood Stasis
For those with qi stagnation and blood stasis, it is advisable to choose foods that promote qi movement and invigorate blood circulation, while reducing salt and MSG intake to avoid increasing blood viscosity and worsening stasis. Friends diagnosed with blood stasis need not worry; in addition to following medical advice and treatment, you can also choose—
Black Bean Porridge: Black beans have a sweet flavor and neutral nature, which can dispel wind, eliminate heat, regulate the middle and lower qi, detoxify, promote diuresis, and nourish the kidneys and blood. Glutinous rice can nourish yin, generate fluids, relieve thirst, strengthen the spleen and stomach, and stabilize the intestines. Together, they can be cooked with some brown sugar for excellent results for those with blood stasis.
Prepare 50 grams of black beans, 100 grams of glutinous rice, and an appropriate amount of brown sugar. Wash the black beans and soak them until soft, then add the glutinous rice and water to cook the porridge, adding brown sugar before serving.
3. Blood Cold (Xue Han)
(1) What is Blood Cold?
Blood cold refers to the invasion of cold pathogens into the blood, causing stagnation of qi and obstructed blood flow.
(2) Symptoms of Blood Cold
Individuals with blood cold often feel cold and prefer warmth. They tend to crave hot foods, have cold hands and feet, and may experience purple skin. Sometimes they may have abdominal pain, which alleviates when warmed. Women may experience delayed menstruation with dark purple blood and clots.
(3) Causes of Blood Cold
Blood cold is caused by exposure to cold pathogens, insufficient qi and blood, prolonged exposure to cold, or women experiencing cold during menstruation or consuming excessive cold foods.
(4) Dietary Adjustments for Blood Cold
Individuals with blood cold should consume more warming foods and avoid cold foods. Friends diagnosed with blood cold need not panic; under medical guidance, you can also consider—
Ginger and Red Date Tea: Ginger has a spicy flavor and can invigorate blood and dispel cold. Red dates can tonify the middle, benefit qi, nourish blood, and calm the mind. Together, they can be brewed into tea to warm the middle, dispel cold, stop vomiting, restore yang, open the meridians, nourish blood, and eliminate dampness and inflammation.
Use 150 grams of ginger and 5-6 red dates. Wash and slice the ginger, then boil it with the red dates in about 500ml of water for 10 to 15 minutes. Before serving, add an appropriate amount of brown sugar, and try to finish it in the morning.
4. Blood Heat (Xue Re)
(1) What is Blood Heat?
Blood heat refers to an abnormal condition where external heat pathogens invade the blood, causing accelerated blood flow.
(2) Symptoms of Blood Heat
Individuals with blood heat often have red, oily skin and are prone to acne. They may exhibit irritability, mood swings, and hot hands and feet. Symptoms may include bleeding, such as nosebleeds, gum bleeding, hematuria, and coughing up blood. Some patients may also suffer from psoriasis.
(3) Causes of Blood Heat
TCM believes that excessive yang energy, high heat, and overheating of the blood can lead to accelerated blood flow and rapid pulse. Emotional instability and poor mood can generate heart fire; or excessive consumption of seafood and spicy foods can harm the spleen and stomach, leading to blood heat.
(4) Dietary Adjustments for Blood Heat
Individuals with blood heat should consume more cooling and moistening foods and avoid warming and drying foods. Those diagnosed with blood heat need not be anxious; according to medical advice, dietary adjustments can be made, and you can also choose—
Chrysanthemum Tea: Chrysanthemum has a sweet and bitter flavor, is cold in nature, and can disperse wind, clear heat, brighten the eyes, and detoxify. It is effective for acne, throat inflammation, wind-heat, headaches, and oral ulcers caused by excessive dryness and heat.