The Blood is responsible for many vital functions. Through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), these functions include:
- circulating vital substances throughout the body, including qi, warmth and nutrients
- providing nourishment to the Heart to allow for restful sleep and a calm mind
- nourishing the brain and the Spleen to aid in learning and memory
- moistening the skin, nails, and hair
- creating breast milk and sweat
- providing the substances to support the menstrual cycle and pregnancy
- bringing fluids to the muscles to allow them to remain supple and allows for relaxation
- supporting the spirit or consciousness
Poor nutrition, prolonged/heavy menstrual bleeding, excessive exercise, overwork, post partum hemorrhaging and blood loss from trauma are all factors that can contribute to blood deficiency.
Women and the elderly are more prone to blood deficiency. While blood deficiency does not always mean that there is a diagnosis of anemia, from a TCM perspective, blood deficiency is more broadly characterized by it's inability to perform it's functions. Therefore, symptoms of blood deficiency may show up as:
- Headaches (usually a dull/empty quality, worse behind the eyes)
- Menstrual-Related Migraines (worse once/after the period begins
- Always feeling cold
- Numbness/Tingling in hands/feet (Restless Leg Syndrome)
- Dizziness, Fainting
- Brain Fog, Poor Memory
- Chronic Fatigue
- Depression, Mood Swings
- Anxiety, Heart Palpitations
- Difficulty Falling Asleep or Staying Asleep
- Missing Periods or Light/Short Periods
- Hair Loss (Excessive) or Thinning Hair
- Dry/ Scaly/Flaky/cracked skin
- Itchy skin
- Constipation (Dry Stools)
- Dry/Itchy eyes
- Blurry vision or impaired night vision
- Nails that are dry, brittle, ridged
- Bruising Easily
- Pale Complexion or pale spots on the skin
- Pale Tongue
- Chronic Muscle Soreness or Weakness
Lifestyle choices that can help to prevent or reverse blood deficiency includes:
- Rest: Overwork exhausts the blood. Therefore, getting adequate sleep and taking time off for relaxation are crucial to support healthy blood. If we must do intense periods of work we have to be extra vigilant in making sure that we are eating nourishing whole foods at regular intervals and taking small breaks as much as possible.
- Nutrition: Eating balanced and nourishing meals at regular intervals is crucial to building blood. Healthy grains, leafy greens, nourishing soups/stews, dark fruits/berries and moderate amounts of red/organ meats help to build Blood. Also eating more warm, cooked meals and less cold, raw foods will support a healthier digestion and prevent stagnation. Adding small amounts of fermented foods to the diet on a daily basis will also support better nutrient absorption.
- Hydration: Make sure you are drinking enough fluids - water, herbal teas, soups, as well as fruits and vegetables with a high water content. Be mindful that caffeine caffeinated beverages are dehydrating to the body, so if you consume them regularly, you should make the appropriate increase in hydration to replenish the body's fluids.
- Movement: Exercise is important for maintaining strength/flexibility and for preventing stagnation. However, too much exercise can be very taxing to the body's blood and yin (fluids). It is best to do moderate physical exercise that doesn't cause excessive sweating, and to take days off for rest and recovery. If you must have periods of excessive physical training, increasing your hydration, nutrition and rest will be crucial to preventing blood deficiency.
- Supplements: In chronic/advanced cases of Blood Deficiency, or in cases of anemia, or for vegetarians/vegans, herbs and supplements like dang gui, protein powders, B vitamins and iron may be necessary for a period of time to build Blood.
