Herbs that Tonify Blood

Introduction

• Sections: signs and symptoms of blood deficiency, individual herbs, formulas and duyao pairs, review.
• Key Idea: Herbs in this category are primarily used to address blood deficiency.
• Signs of Blood Deficiency: dizziness, tinnitus, dry eyes, diminished vision, floaters, pale nails, delayed/scanty menstruation, pale complexion, pale tongue, thin pulse.
• Herbs can be sticky and cloying—may cause digestive issues. Combine with Qi-regulating herbs.
• Properties: Sweet (to tonify); typically warm; enters Liver, Heart, and often Spleen channels.
• Common Issues Addressed: Blood and Yin deficiency, tonifying organs like liver and heart, remedying menstrual and vision problems, calming Shen.

Key Herbs

1. Shu Di Huang (熟地黄) - Prepared Rehmannia Root

• **Functions: Tonifies blood and Yin, nourishes liver and kidney, tonifies Essence.
• Indications: Pale complexion, dizziness, palpitations, irregular menses, weak back and legs, tidal fever, steaming bone disorder, night sweats, nocturnal emissions, wasting and thirsting disorder.
• **Cautions: Sticky and cloying—combine with Qi-regulating herbs like Chen Pi and Sha Ren.
• Dosage: 9 to 30 grams.

2. Dang Gui (当归) - Angelica Sinensis Root

• Functions: Tonifies blood and invigorates blood, regulates menses, promotes flesh regeneration, moistens intestines (for dry stools).
• Indications: Irregular menses, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abscesses/wounds, constipation due to blood deficiency.
• Notable Use: Widely used in formulas for women's health, can be added to teas for regular consumption.
• Parts Used: Head (most tonifying), body (tonifying and invigorating), tail (most invigorating).
• Cautions: Sometimes cautiously used during pregnancy due to its invigorating properties.

3. Bai Shao (白芍) - White Peony Root

• Functions: Tonifies blood, relaxes liver, relieves cramping/spasm, preserves Yin.
• Indications: Irregular menses, abdominal cramping, body/muscle tension, sweating, vaginal discharge.
• Unique Characteristics: Slightly cold (useful for heat conditions).
• Cautions: Incompatible with Li Lu.

4. He Shou Wu (何首乌) - Prepared Polygonum Multiflorum Root

• Functions: Tonifies blood, liver and kidney Yin, kidney Essence, darkens hair, strengthens tendon and bone.
• Indications: Premature graying, weak knees/back, fertility issues, internal wind, nocturnal emissions, wind rash and carbuncles.
• Unique Characteristics: Slightly warm or neutral, not cloying.

5. E Jiao (阿胶) - Donkey-Hide Gelatin

• Functions: Tonifies blood and stops bleeding, moistens lungs.
• Indications: Bleeding (coughing blood, uterine bleeding), blood deficiency, dry cough.
• Preparation: Melt into decoction at the end (crush first for easier melting).
• Cautions: Potential ethical concerns regarding sourcing.

6. Gou Qi Zi (枸杞子) - Lycium Fruit/Goji Berry

• Functions: Tonifies blood to brighten eyes, liver and kidney Yin.
• Indications: Vision problems (night vision, dry eyes), weak back/knees, wasting and thirsting disorder, moistens lungs.
• Categorized as Tonify Blood in Bensky, Tonify Yin in other texts.

7. Sang Shen (桑椹) - Mulberry Fruit

• Functions: Tonifies blood, nourishes Yin.
• Indications: Insomnia, tinnitus, premature graying, wasting and thirsting disorder, constipation.
• Categorized as Tonify Blood in Bensky, also found in Tonify Yin.

8. Long Yan Rou (龙眼肉) - Longan Fruit

• Functions: Tonifies blood to calm the Shen (spirit).
• Indications: Insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, forgetfulness due to heart and spleen deficiency.
• Preparation: Often found dried; can increase heat with long-term use, recommend break periods.

Formulas & Duiyao Pairs

1. Si Wu Tang (四物汤) - Four Substance Decoction

• Main Formula for tonifying blood.
• Ingredients: Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, Chuan Xiong.
• Indications: Dizziness, blurred vision, irregular menses, muscle tension, insomnia, palpitations, thin body, pale tongue, thin/choppy pulse.
• Additional Context: Sometimes combined with herbs like Sha Ren for digestive ease.

2. Shaoyao Gancao Tang - Peony and Licorice Decoction

• Indications: Spasm and pain in calves.
• Ingredients: Bai Shao + Gan Cao.

Duiyao Pairs

• Chai Hu + Bai Shao: Liver Qi stagnation, flank pain, emotional stress, rebellious Qi.
• Juhua + Gou Qi Zi: Brightening eyes, vision problems. Can be used as tea (especially during spring for allergies).

Review Summary

• Herbs like Shu Di Huang, Dang Gui, Bai Shao, He Shou Wu, E Jiao, Gou Qi Zi, etc., all have diverse applications targeting blood and Yin deficiency.
• They address both systemic issues (like blood deficiency symptoms across various organs), specific problems (such as menstrual and vision issues), and provide key tonic properties.
• Special preparation methods (e.g., Shu Di Huang preparation, E Jiao melting) and caution areas (e.g., stickiness/cloying, incompatibilities) are crucial for effective use.

Conclusion

• For more detailed reviews: TCM Study Single Herb Review Course (includes slides, flashcards, key points)
• Next Section: Herbs that Tonify the Yang