{"id":391,"date":"2016-10-05T15:00:58","date_gmt":"2016-10-05T23:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/?p=391"},"modified":"2021-07-20T07:44:05","modified_gmt":"2021-07-20T15:44:05","slug":"blood-tcm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.activeherb.com\/blog\/blood-tcm.html","title":{"rendered":"What is Blood in TCM and What Are its Functions?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blood in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) has some similarities with “blood” in western medicine. And, of course, there are differences as well….<\/em><\/p>\n

Blood is something that everybody on the planet is familiar with. But most people don’t\u00a0<\/span>think about it\u00a0unless they get a cut, need a transfusion, or get diagnosed with leukemia. People who take high blood pressure medication may think about blood from time to time. But for the most part, blood is taken for granted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On the other hand, Blood in TCM plays a vital role in optimal health.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at blood and its special roles it plays in TCM, as well as the similarities and differences between blood from a western perspective and that of TCM.<\/span><\/p>\n

What does modern science know about blood?<\/b><\/h2>\n

What science has discovered about blood\u2019s role in human physiology, relatively speaking, occurred just a blink of an eye ago.<\/span><\/p>\n

It wasn\u2019t until 1866 that <\/span>Ernst Neumann first reported the connection between red blood cell formation and marrow<\/span><\/a>Ernst Neumann first reported the connection between red blood cell formation and marrow<\/span><\/a>. (Which is why bone marrow transplantation may reconstitute the whole blood in leukemia patients after chemotherapy.)<\/span><\/p>\n

Modern science confirms blood\u2019s role in transporting the following: hormones; oxygen from the lungs to the cells; carbon dioxide back to the lungs for exhalation; nutrients into the cells, and metabolic waste for future elimination. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood also plays an important part in body-temperature regulation, and, we have known only since the 19th century, that blood plays a vital role in our immunity, with the discovery of pathogen-fighting white blood cells and molecules such as interferons. <\/span><\/p>\n

What does TCM know about blood?<\/b><\/h2>\n

TCM established theories about blood\u2019s functions many centuries ago. These theories have been proven by modern science. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, modern science confirms bone marrow being the central place where blood cells are generated. Although ancient Chinese physicians had no knowledge of cellular biology, it has been known for many centuries that blood originates in the marrow.<\/span><\/p>\n

The ancients also were aware the heart pumps blood, long before \u201c<\/span>The Anatomical Function of the Movement of the Heart and the Blood in Animals\u201d was published in 1628 (in Latin, by William Harvey). <\/span>Ancient Chinese physicians also were aware of the heart-blood connection in regards to circulation, which is vital to health. And TCM doctors, centuries ago, were making the connection that\u00a0blood supplies the Lungs with the source of our respiration (oxygen). <\/span><\/p>\n

The TCM theory that the Liver is the storagehouse for blood was also devised many centuries ago. Ancient TCM philosophers and physicians knew also of the Stomach-Spleen relationship in regards to nutrition, which is how nutrients get into the blood. <\/span><\/p>\n

What else does TCM know about blood?<\/b><\/h2>\n

In TCM, blood is vital to the spirit and consciousness. Western medicine has recently confirmed that many molecules associated with consciousness lie in the brain via the bloodstream. Blood controls mental activity. Ancient TCM, of course, didn\u2019t theorize about molecules. But it\u2019s fascinating that at least two millennia after TCM theorists devised the blood-consciousness connection, it has been recently verified by modern research.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Blood in TCM: Blood Deficiency<\/b><\/h2>\n

As mentioned\u00a0earlier, blood generates from the bone marrow. Another source of blood is provided from nutrition. The nutrients from the food we eat are\u00a0absorbed into the bloodstream after digestion. If one source is compromised or poor, then blood deficiency may occur. In western medicine blood deficiencies include anemia and ischemia.<\/span><\/p>\n

TCM treats blood deficiency in part by using Blood tonic herbs and herbal formulas. Perhaps the most popular blood tonic herb is <\/span>Dang Gui<\/span><\/a>Dang Gui<\/span><\/a> (Angelica Sinensis). A classic TCM formula for enriching the blood is <\/span>Tonics4<\/span><\/a>Tonics4<\/span><\/a> (aka Si Wu Tang).<\/span><\/p>\n

Blood deficiency symptoms include pale complexion, dry skin, irregular and\/or scanty menstrual cycle flows (The Liver, in TCM theory, is responsible for regulating menstrual cycles.), tiredness and temporary loss of balance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Another example of Liver Blood deficiency is poor eyesight. The Liver, according to TCM theory, directly impacts the eyes more than any other organ system. That is because the Liver meridians branch out to the Eyes. Even in western medicine, we look at the eyes to see how the liver is functioning, and if the eyes are yellow, that\u2019s an indication the liver is unhealthy. <\/span><\/p>\n

(Trouble with Vision & Eye Health? <\/span><\/i>These ActiveHerb formulas can help.<\/span><\/i><\/a>These ActiveHerb formulas may offer support.<\/span><\/i><\/a>)<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

What is Blood in TCM: Blood Stagnation<\/b> \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Similar to still water in a pond, blood stagnation describes the sluggish movement of blood. <\/span><\/p>\n

When blood stagnation is present, the following symptoms may arise:<\/span><\/p>\n