In Chinese medicine we look at blood as one of the important aspects of health and wellbeing. In our perspective it is what houses our ‘shen’ – our emotional wellness, and has so many important physical functions too. Blood is way more that just iron levels, however this is of course important, and always checked.

 

We look at the relative volume of blood, the quality of the blood, whether it is moving freely, or stuck in certain areas of the body, amongst many other things. The amazing part is, this can all be read from taking the patients pulse, looking at their meridians and tongue and listening to the symptoms they are presenting with.

 

Symptoms such as…

 

-Dizziness

-Dry skin

-Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep

-Painful periods

-Dull headaches

-Blurry vision

-Infertility

-Cramping muscles

-Exhaustion, chronic fatigue

-Anxiety, reduced coping abilities, phobias etc.

 

… could be coming from ‘blood deficiency’ a lack in volume, quality, or iron levels in the blood.

 

 

-Stabbing headaches

-Severe period pain, endometriosis

-Infertility

-Dry discolored skin

-Cold hands and feet

-Physical and/or emotional pain

-Certain bowel disorders with an emotional trigger such as IBS, ulcerative colitis

 

…. could be coming from ‘blood stasis’ – where the blood is not moving freely in a particular area of the body.

 

Further, when blood is not ample – blood deficiency, this can lead to blood stasis. Think of a river that is drying up – the water that remains does not flow well and is likely static in areas.

 

The body is complex and often our symptoms have more than one or two components that need addressing.

 

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are very effective at strengthening the quality of our blood and keeping it moving well. As we make blood from our digestion and what we eat, acupuncture works even better if alongside correct dietary and lifestyle choices.

 

 

To get started building blood eat  –

 

-Beetroots

-Goji Berries

-Well-cooked red meat – preferably on the bone in watery medium i.e. stew

-Lots of fresh (and cooked) leafy greens – silverbeat, kale etc.

-Red berries – raspberries, cherries, blackberries etc.

-Hibiscus tea, rooibos tea, nettle tea

-Drink plenty of fluids and eat wet foods, such as soups

 

As we build blood from our digestion it is essential that we have happy healthy digestive systems to extract all the wonderful nutrients from our foods. That will be covered in my next blog!

 

Enjoy keeping well.

 

By Dr Nicky Brooks