Blood, The Vital Substance

Blood has an important function of nourishing and moistening. Blood circulates throughout the whole body nourishing the organs and the tissues.

The Spleen transforms what we consume into Qi and Blood. The Liver stores and moves the Blood. The Heart governs the Blood.

Blood is Yin and Qi is Yang; They cannot exist without one other. Blood nourishes Qi and Qi moves Blood.

Blood houses the mind; healthy blood is essential for a clear mind, spirit, memory, mental health and sleep.

Manifestations of Blood deficiency:
😴 Fatigue
🥶 Always cold
✨ Numbness or tingling in hands or feet
🌫️ Dizziness, brain fog, poor memory
☹️ Depression, anxiety, mood swings
❤️‍🩹 Heart palpitations
😳 Insomnia
🩸 Light/short periods or missing periods
👀 Hair loss, blurry vision, bruise easily
🤯 Constipation, dry skin
😶‍🌫️Pale complexion, tongue, lips
🤕 Headaches or migraines

Possible causes of Blood deficiency:
Overwork
Over exercise
Staying up late and lack of sleep
Looking at screens
Emotional stress and worry
Blood loss: childbirth, injury or donating blood
Not resting postpartum
Heavy periods
Not eating enough
Nutrient deficiencies

How to nourish Blood in TCM:
💧Stay hydrated
🍲 TCM recommends warm water, broths, and soups
🍽️ Eat regular, nutrient-dense meals,
Incorporate blood-building foods
🍜 Warm, cooked meals
🧘‍♀️ Exercise that is not overexerting
Walking, yoga and Qi gong
🚫 Don’t stay up looking at screens
🛌 Go to bed early (before 9.30/10 pm)
👂 Rest and listen to your body
🙏 Acupuncture

Please note this is not to diagnose or treat. In Chinese medicine we look at each patient individually. If you would like to know more come see me in clinic on Wednesdays.