Blood stasis, also known as yu xue (瘀血), is considered a pathological state in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It refers to the condition where the flow of blood is obstructed due to stagnation of qi (气). Various factors can lead to blood stasis, which can be causative, pathological, or symptomatic, and it is commonly seen in clinical practice.
Generally, the presence of blood stasis in the body can manifest as three major symptoms: ecchymosis (瘀斑), pain (疼痛), and hemorrhage (出血). Women are more frequently affected by blood stasis.The symptoms of blood stasis in women are primarily reflected in changes during the menstrual cycle, with the most common symptoms occurring during menstruation, such as dysmenorrhea (痛经), dark-colored menstrual blood with clots, reduced menstrual flow, delayed menstruation, and even amenorrhea (闭经). Blood stasis results from the obstruction of qi, leading to poor blood circulation, which can result in pelvic congestion and, in severe cases, infertility.1. The skin may easily develop ecchymosis (鬼拧青) without any apparent cause, often resulting in bruises appearing on various parts of the body;2. During menstruation, women may experience dysmenorrhea, often accompanied by cold sweats, dark blood with clots, and relief of pain as clots are expelled;3. Lips may appear cyanotic (发紫), and the tongue may show a dark purple color or have ecchymosis (瘀斑), with varicosities under the tongue;4. Emotional instability, irritability, and frequent sighing, with abdominal pain and diarrhea during emotional fluctuations;5. Rough skin, facial pigmentation leading to chloasma (黄褐斑), and dark circles under the eyes;6. Localized stabbing or cramping pain that is fixed in one area;Additionally, chloasma (黄褐斑) in women is a type of pigmented lesion that appears on the face, and the causes of its development include:1. Genetics: Some patients with chloasma have a family history, making it more likely for their offspring to develop similar conditions;2. Sun exposure: Prolonged exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet rays can lead to the appearance of chloasma on the face;3. Hormonal changes: Some female patients may experience hormonal changes due to various gynecological conditions, which can also lead to chloasma;4. Pregnancy: Many women develop facial spots during pregnancy, known as chloasma, which may fade after childbirth for some patients;5. Chronic diseases: Patients with chronic illnesses requiring long-term medication may also develop chloasma on their faces.What are the common symptoms of blood stasis in both men and women?The clinical manifestations of blood stasis can be summarized as follows:1. Pain: Typically sharp and fixed, often worse at night, with a prolonged course;2. Masses: Fixed masses that appear blue-purple or blue-yellow on the surface, and may be hard or tender upon palpation;3. Hemorrhage: Blood appears dark purple or mixed with clots;4. Cyanosis: Blue-purple discoloration of the face, lips, and nails;5. Dark purple tongue (or with ecchymosis (瘀点) or ecchymosis (瘀斑)) is the most common and sensitive indicator of blood stasis;6. Pulse may be thin, rough, deep, or wiry.Additionally, patients often present with a dark complexion, rough skin, purpura, and neurological symptoms (forgetfulness, agitation, confusion) are also quite common.Blood stasis constitution can be treated relatively easily with medication. It is recommended to use TCM decoctions, such as Ba Zhen Tang (八珍汤) with Hong Hua (红花) to tonify qi and blood, invigorate blood circulation, and resolve blood stasis. The primary treatment for blood stasis constitution is to promote qi flow, invigorate blood, and resolve stasis. Since qi is the commander of blood, and blood is the mother of qi, when qi flows, blood flows. To treat blood stasis constitution, one must first promote qi flow, followed by the use of blood-invigorating and stasis-resolving herbs, while also maintaining a positive mindset and ensuring adequate sleep.Patients with chloasma should avoid sunlight and use sunscreen, and can take high doses of Vitamin C and Vitamin E orally, apply depigmenting ointments, or consider laser treatment. Patients should maintain a regular lifestyle and avoid staying up late.Chloasma (黄褐斑), also known as melasma, commonly occurs on the cheeks of middle-aged women and is related to the levels of estrogen or progesterone in the body. Studies show that during middle age, especially during pregnancy, lactation, or menopause, the levels of estrogen in the blood increase, which can stimulate the secretion of melanocytes, while progesterone promotes the transport of melanocytes, leading to the formation of chloasma.Thus, chloasma is the result of the combined effects of estrogen and progesterone, and factors such as sun exposure, irregular lifestyle, staying up late, or significant mental stress can darken the pigmentation.Additionally, women with blood stasis and chloasma can use the following three TCM herbs for treatment: 1. When discussing blood-invigorating and stasis-resolving herbs, Dan Shen (丹参) must be mentioned. It is first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》) and classified as a superior herb. An ancient saying states, “One herb of Dan Shen has effects surpassing those of four substances,” indicating that the blood-invigorating and stasis-resolving effects of Dan Shen are superior to those of Si Wu Tang (四物汤), highlighting its significant benefits for blood health.Dan Shen not only invigorates blood and resolves stasis, promoting blood circulation to nourish the skin, but modern medical research also shows that it has strong antioxidant properties, capable of scavenging free radicals and delaying skin aging.2. Yang Tai (羊胎) is a traditional Chinese medicine that contains many hormonal components, which can regulate female endocrine and stabilize hormone secretion levels, improve blood circulation, and maintain bodily stability. Additionally, Yang Tai enhances cell activity and reduces free radical damage, which can help slow down skin aging and lighten facial spots.3. Dang Gui (当归) is well-known among women and is first recorded in the Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing (《神农本草经》) as a medium-grade herb. It has the effects of nourishing blood, invigorating blood, regulating menstruation, and relieving pain, making it a popular choice for women to replenish qi and blood. Due to its ability to promote blood circulation and help clear meridians, it also possesses certain spot-lightening effects.