🌿 Folk Prescriptions

2. Blood-Nourishing Herbs
Also known as "blood-tonifying herbs," primarily used for symptoms of blood deficiency. Common blood-nourishing herbs include:
① Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
Dang Gui is the root of a perennial herb from the Umbelliferae family. It contains folacin, niacin, vitamin B12, vitamin E, etc., with effects including anti-anemia, improving blood circulation, increasing coronary blood flow, preventive and therapeutic actions against coronary heart disease, protecting the liver, preventing reduction of hepatic glycogen. According to analysis of Emperor Qianlong’s longevity prescriptions, Dang Gui was used most frequently among his health-preserving formulas.
Traditional Chinese medicine considers it warm in nature, sweet and pungent in taste, with functions of replenishing blood, regulating menstruation, promoting blood circulation, relieving pain, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation. Used for blood deficiency, physical weakness, menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, abdominal pain due to cold deficiency, injuries, blood stasis pain, rheumatic arthralgia, sores and ulcers, blood stagnation pain, and constipation due to blood deficiency and intestinal dryness.
Dosage: 5–15 grams. Use Dang Gui body (root) for blood replenishment; Dang Gui tail (end) for promoting blood circulation and removing stasis. After wine-processing, its blood-activating effect is enhanced.
Contraindicated for individuals with dampness accumulation, fullness in the abdomen, or loose stools.
② Shu Di Huang (Processed Rehmannia)
Shu Di Huang is the root of a perennial herb from the Scrophulariaceae family. It contains rehmannin, vitamin A-like substances, carbohydrates, amino acids, etc., with strong-cardiac and hypoglycemic effects. Best quality is large, heavy, dark black cross-section, sweet taste.
TCM considers it slightly warm in nature, sweet in taste, with functions of nourishing yin and replenishing blood. Used for blood deficiency, lung and kidney yin deficiency, weak waist and knees, chronic cough with fever, menstrual irregularities, deafness, blurred vision, etc.
Dosage: 9–24 grams per dose, decocted and taken orally. If soaked in wine, soak in rice wine or white wine for 20 days before consumption. Take 1–3 tablespoons each time, 1–2 times daily.
Contraindicated for individuals with poor digestion, loss of appetite, diarrhea, chest and epigastric distension, thick greasy tongue coating, or excessive dampness. Also avoid combining with radish, green onion, and scallion.
③ E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin)
E Jiao is made from donkey hide, after removing hair and soaking, then boiled with rock sugar and other ingredients. It is a premium tonic for replenishing blood and nourishing yin. Daily consumption nourishes blood and yin, moistens lungs, strengthens tendons and bones, enriches essence and kidneys, delays aging. Contains gelatin, calcium, sulfur, promotes formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, improves calcium balance in the body, enhances calcium absorption, aids retention of calcium in serum, and prevents progressive muscular dystrophy. Can be used to prevent traumatic shock.
TCM considers it neutral in nature, sweet in taste, with functions of replenishing blood and harmonizing blood, nourishing yin and moistening lungs. Used for anemia, palpitations, dry cough, hemoptysis, uterine bleeding, threatened abortion, postpartum blood deficiency, weak waist and legs, etc.
Dosage: 6–15 grams. Must not be added directly to decoctions; instead, dissolve separately in water by steaming, then mixed into the decoction—known as "melted administration." However, due to its greasy nature, it is contraindicated for individuals with weak spleen and stomach or poor digestion.
④ He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum)
He Shou Wu is the tuberous root of a herbaceous plant from the Polygonaceae family, commonly used as a tonic for strengthening and nourishing. Contains anthraquinones, lecithin, starch, crude fiber, etc. Functions include lowering serum cholesterol, alleviating atherosclerosis formation; lecithin strengthens nerves, has mild laxative effect, and exhibits adrenal cortical hormone-like activity.
TCM considers it slightly warm in nature, bitter, sweet, and astringent in taste, with functions of nourishing liver and kidney, replenishing essence and blood, strengthening tendons and bones, blackening hair, enhancing complexion, increasing vitality, delaying aging, promoting fertility, and used for liver and kidney deficiency, essence and blood deficiency, dizziness, tinnitus, premature graying of hair, insomnia, frequent dreams, weak waist and knees, limb numbness, joint pain, nocturnal emission, spermatorrhea, menorrhagia, leukorrhea, etc.
Dosage: 6–15 grams per dose. Contraindicated for individuals with spleen deficiency and diarrhea, or phlegm-dampness.
⑤ Bai Shao (White Peony Root)
Bai Shao is the root of a plant from the Ranunculaceae family, peeled of outer layer. Contains essential oils, benzoic acid, tannins, paeoniflorin, paeonol, paeonine, etc. Reduces smooth muscle tension in the intestine, stomach, and uterus of experimental animals; paeoniflorin has inhibitory effects on the central nervous system.
TCM considers it slightly cold in nature, bitter and sour in taste, with functions of nourishing blood, consolidating yin, soothing the liver, and relieving pain. Used for menstrual irregularities, metrorrhagia, abdominal pain during menstruation, spontaneous sweating, night sweats, costal and abdominal pain due to liver qi stagnation, cramping pain in hands and feet, dizziness and headache due to hyperactive liver yang, etc.
Dosage: 5–10 grams. Contradicted with Li Lu (Aconite root).
⑥ Gou Qi Zi (Goji Berry)
Gou Qi Zi is the mature fruit of a shrub from the Solanaceae family, either the common or Ningxia variety. Contains betaine, various unsaturated fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, etc. Betaine inhibits fat deposition in liver cells, promotes regeneration of liver cells, prevents cirrhosis; also relieves hepatotoxicity caused by carbon tetrachloride, protects the liver. Additionally, Goji berries significantly lower blood pressure and blood glucose levels.
TCM considers it neutral in nature, sweet in taste, with functions of nourishing yin and replenishing blood, enriching essence and brightening eyesight. Used for blurred vision, dizziness, tinnitus, soreness and weakness in waist and knees, diabetes, etc.
Dosage: 6–15 grams. Can be steamed, soaked in wine, made into paste, or cooked. However, due to its moist and slippery nature, not suitable for individuals with weak spleen and loose stools.
⑦ Ji Xue Teng (Chicken Blood Vine)
Ji Xue Teng is the stem of climbing shrubs from the Fabaceae family, including Cryptolepis and Aristulobus fragrans. Contains lupeol and its derivatives, in addition to taraxasterone, campesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol. Has blood-replenishing effects, increases blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Also lowers blood pressure and stimulates uterine contraction.
TCM considers it warm in nature, bitter and slightly sweet in taste, with functions of replenishing blood, promoting blood circulation, relaxing tendons, and relieving pain. Used for blood deficiency leading to amenorrhea, menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, or for blood deficiency and blood stasis causing numbness in hands and feet, joint pain, rheumatic arthralgia, etc.
Dosage: 6–15 grams; up to 30 grams in large doses.
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