Blood Deficiency in Chinese Medicine

Chinese Medicine recognizes patterns within the body that help to distinguish underlying causes of imbalances or disease. A common pattern differentiation within Chinese Medicine (CM) that we will be discussing here today is known as Blood deficiency.

The Blood in CM is more than just the red substance that flows through our veins and arteries carrying oxygen to the various parts of our body. It has other various roles within Chinese medical physiology such as anchoring the Shen, circulating essential nutrients, and Qi, as well as being known for carrying emotions and memories. Blood is the most abundant yin fluid and to have abundant Qi (vital life energy) you must have abundant blood.

This pattern is often most predominant in women but can impact anyone, and one doesn’t need to be diagnosed with anemia to be considered blood deficient in CM, but there are many similarities. This state can be caused by conditions such as pregnancy, inability to absorb iron, heavy blood loss, poor diet, chronic nutritional deficiency, or high stress and overwork. A Blood deficiency pattern is often recognized by a combination of the signs and symptoms listed below.

The organ systems of the Liver, Heart, and Spleen are most related to the governing and production of Blood—The Heart ("governs Blood"), the Spleen (controls Blood"), and the Liver ("stores Blood").

Blood Deficiency Signs

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, blood deficiency is viewed as a condition related to the insufficient production or quality of blood. It is often associated with the concept of "Blood Deficiency" or "Xue Xu" in Chinese medicine. TCM practitioners assess these signs and symptoms along with other diagnostic methods to understand the underlying patterns of imbalance in the body and prescribe herbal remedies, acupuncture, dietary changes, or lifestyle modifications to address blood deficiency and restore balance. Manifestations of blood deficiency in TCM may include:

• Brittle nails

• Brittle, thinning hair or Loss of Hair

• Premature aging

• Dryness

• Depression

• Fatigue

• Scant or short menses

• Heart palpitations

• Dizziness

• Poor Memory

• Easy to bruise

• Pale complexion

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Herbs to Help with Blood Deficiency

Herbs can help address blood deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) by providing nourishment, promoting circulation, and supporting the body's natural processes. TCM practitioners may prescribe specific herbs known for their blood-tonifying properties, such as Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis) and Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa), to enhance blood production and improve its quality. These herbs work synergistically to restore balance, addressing symptoms like fatigue, pale complexion, and menstrual irregularities associated with blood deficiency. Incorporating these herbs into a holistic treatment plan can contribute to overall well-being and vitality.

• He Shou Wu

• Shu Di Huang

• Long Gan

• Da Zao

• Goji

• Dang Gui

• Nettle

Foods to help with Blood Deficiency

I truly believe that a proper diet and healthy digestion are the foundation of optimal health, so when trying to correct imbalances within our body, diet is the first place to look. Many of these foods listed that are high in iron are best eaten with vitamin C to help maximize the absorption of iron.

• Bone broth

• Dark green vegetables

• Seaweeds

• Spirulina

• Beets

• Pomegranates, goji berries

• Grains such as oats, rice, barley

• Seas foods such as tuna, oysters, sardines

• Mushrooms

• Organ meat, red meat, eggs

• Beans such as red beans, kidney beans, and black beans

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