12.2 Herbs that Tonify the Blood

Question 1

Shu Di Huang ***
“Cooked Earth Yellow”
(cooked Chinese foxglove/rehmannia root)

Answer 1

Sweet, slightly warm (9-30g)
HT, LV, KD
Tonifies the blood; Strongly enriches the yin and relieves wasting and thirsting d/o; Nourishes the blood, tonifies the essence and marrow
VERY cloying/rich readily leads to stagnation, NOT in those w/qi stag or profuse phlegm

Question 2

Zhi He Shou Wu ***
“Processed Black Haired Mr. He”
(processed flowery knotweed root)

Answer 2

Bitter, sweet, astringent, slightly warm
LV, KD
Tonifies the LV and KD, nourishes the blood, augments the essence (to preserve essence); Expels W from skin by nourishing blood
NOT in Pt w/loose stools or significant dampness/phlegm. Caution with source of herb, improper processing may damage LV

Question 3

(Sheng) He Shou Wu ***
“Fresh Black haired Mr. He”
(flowery knotweed root)

Answer 3

Bitter, sweet, astringent, neutral
LV, HT, LI
Moistens the intestines, unblocks the bowels (for dryness from blood xu); Relieves fire toxicity; Checks malarial d/o (not a common action)

Question 4

Dang Gui ***
“Should come back”
(angelica sinensis root)

Answer 4

Sweet, acrid, warm
HT, LV, SP
Tonifies the blood, regulates the menses; Invigorates and harmonizes the blood, disperses cold; Moistens the intestines and unblocks the bowels; Reduces swelling, expels pus, generates flesh, and alleviates pain; treats cough
NOT w/diarrhea or ab fullness from damp

Question 5

Bai Shao ***

White peony

Answer 5

Bitter, sour, mildly cold
LV, SP
Nourishes the blood, regulates menses; SOFTENS the LV, for yang rising and alleviates pain (most common Fx. for cramps/spasms in hands and feet, for HA and dizziness); Preserves the yin and adjusts the Ying and Wei Qi levels

Question 6

E Jiao ***

donkey hide gelatin

Answer 6

Sweet, neutral
KD, LV, LU
Tonifies blood & stops bleeding (dizziness, palpitations, coughing blood, blood in stool, uterine bleeding); Nourishes and moistens the yin (for insomnia and irritability)
ANIMAL product, decoct separately. Heavy, cloying so NOT for SP/ST xu

Question 7

Gou Qi (Zi) ***
(Lycium fruit, chinese wolfberry, Goji berries)

Answer 7

Sweet, neutral (moderate)
LV, LU, KD
Nourishes LV and KD; Benefits the essence and brightens the eyes; Enriches the yin and moistens the LU
Caution w/SP and ST xu, although not so greasy or cloying

Question 8

Long Yan Rou **
“Dragon eye flesh”
(Longen berry)

Answer 8

Sweet, warm
HT, SP
Tonifies the HT and SP, nourishes the blood, calms the spirit (commonly for Sx associated w/excessive pensiveness or overwork)
A food, mild

Question 9

Sang Shen **

mulberry fruit

Answer 9

Sweet, cold
HT, LV, KD
Tonifies blood, enriches yin; Moistens the intestines
NOT in Pt w/diarrhea d/t SP/ST xu cold