Herbs That Tonify Blood Flashcards
Signs and Symptoms of Blood Deficiency?
- Menstruation problems (e.g. painful, scanty or delayed menses)
- Pale, dry skin
- eye issues (e.g. blurred vision, floaters)
- Poor memory, poor concentration, anxiety, insomnia
- Skin sensation problems (tingling, numbness)
- Dizziness
- Pale, thin, dry tongue
- Thin, deficient or choppy pulse
Blood deficiency may also lead to internal wind
Herbs in this category tend to be sticky and cloying, and may cause middle jiao problems.
Taste and temperature of herbs that tonify Blood?
Sweet and warm
or sweet and cold
Herbs that tonify Blood tend to enter which channels?
Liver, Spleen and Heart
Cautions and contraindications of herbs that tonify blood?
These herbs are sweet and cloying; overuse can cause digestive problems.
Combine with herbs that move or regulate the qi to prevent stagnation
What is the main action of herbs that tonify blood?
Tonify blood and nourish Yin (and essence)
shú dì huáng?
shú dì huáng Prepared Earth Yellow
rehmanniae radix preparata
Temp: slightly warm
Taste: sweet
Channels: HT, KI, LV
Dosage: 9-30 grams
- a relatively high dose at it is a heavy dense herb
1. tonifies blood
2. tonifies Liver and Kidney yin
- tonifies Kidney jing
• for delayed development, premature aging, etc.
Shu Di Huang is prepared by soaking it in alcohol and then steaming it.
It is very sticky and cloying, and may cause digestive problems. If this occurs, it can be combined with herbs like Chen Pi, Mu Xiang, or Sha Ren.
Shen di huang cools the blood
dāng guī
dāng guī
angelicae sinensis radix
“state of return” - of menses?
Temp: warm
Taste: sweet, acrid
Channels: HT, LV, SP
Dosage: 4.5-15 grams
- tonifies blood
- esp. for menstruation problems
- promotes regeneration of flesh; for longstanding skin wounds
- moistens Large Intestine to relieve constipation
- invigorates blood
- Dang Gui is one of the most frequently used herbs for OB/GYN conditions because it both tonifies blood and invigorates blood.
- The head (Dang Gui Tou) is the most tonifying, followed by the body (Dang Gui Shen).
- To invigorate blood, use the tail (Dang Gui Wei).
- Pian means “sliced.” When you order this herb, you will probably want to order Dang Gui Pian.
bái sháo
bái sháo
paeoniae radix alba
White peony
Temp: slightly cold
Taste: bitter, sour
Channels: LV, SP
Dosage: 6-15 grams
- tonifies blood
- relaxes the Liver
- softens and smooths the Liver
- stops pain, spasm, and cramping
- preserves yin; harmonizes the ying and the wei
• for sweating, vaginal discharge, or wind-cold deficiency patterns
Bai Shao is incompatible with Li Lu (i.e. their combination gives rise to side effects not present in either herb alone).
Shao Yao is the generic name for Bai Shao and Chi Shao.
zhì hé shǒu wū
zhì hé shǒu wū
polygoni multiflori radix preparata
Temp: slightly warm (neutral)
Taste: bitter, sweet, astringent
Channels: LV, KI
Dosage: 9-30 grams
- tonifies blood
- darkens hair
- treats internal wind and rash due to blood deficiency
- moistens Large Intestine to relieve constipation (best in raw form)
- tonifies Liver and Kidney yin
- strengthens tendon and bone
- preserves essence (seminal emission, vaginal discharge)
- clears heat toxicity
- for skin infection, carbuncles, sores, boils, scrofula
- only use raw form (Sheng He Shou Wu)
He Shou Wu is almost neutral in temperature so it can be used with conditions of heat or cold.
It is special because it is not sticky or cloying.
ē jiāo
ē jiāo
asini corii colla
Donkey gelatin
Temp: neutral
Taste: sweet
Channels: KI, LV, LU
Dosage: 3-9 grams (melt in at end)
- tonifies blood
- stops bleeding
- tonifies yin and moistens the Lung
- for irritability and insomnia after febrile disease
- for dry cough with blood in the sputum
gǒu qǐ zǐ
gǒu qǐ zǐ
lycii fructus
Goji Berry
Temp: neutral
Taste: sweet
Channels: LV, KI, LU
Dosage: 6-12 grams
- tonifies blood to brighten eyes
• for poor night vision, blurred vision, dry eyes
- Often used with ju hua, chrysanthemum flower
2. tonifies Liver and Kidney yin
• for sore low back, sore knees, dizziness
- moistens the Lung
• for cough and wasting and thirsting disorder
sāng shèn
sāng shèn
mori fructus
Mulberry Fruit
Temp: cold
Taste: sweet
Channels: HT, LV, KI
Dosage: 9-15 grams
1. tonifies blood and nourishes yin
- for dizziness, tinnitus, insomnia, premature greying of hair
- for skin dryness and decreased skin sensation
- moistens the Large Intestine to relieve constipation
Sang Shen is not sticky or cloying, so it can be used long term.
lóng yǎn ròu
lóng yǎn ròu 龙 眼⾁
longan arillus
Longan Fruit
Dragon Eye Flesh
Temp: warm
Taste: sweet
Channels: HT, SP Dosage: 9-15
- tonifies blood to calm shen
• for insomnia, anxiety, palpitation, forgetfulness
- for deficiency after taxation e.g. studying.
Long Yan Rou is warm. After 2 or 3 weeks take a break for 7 days before continuing
