Blood Building Herbs in Chinese Medicine
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
In traditional Chinese medicine, blood is one of the fundamental substances of the body — it nourishes the organs, moistens the tissues, houses the spirit (shen), and forms the material basis for menstruation and pregnancy. Blood deficiency — when the blood is insufficient in quantity or quality — is one of the most common patterns I treat in clinical practice, particularly in women of reproductive age. The blood-building herbs of the Chinese pharmacopoeia are among the most important tools for restoring this essential substance.
Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis)
Dang Gui is the single most important blood tonic in Chinese medicine and is sometimes called the female ginseng for its central role in women's health. It tonifies and moves blood, regulates the menstrual cycle, alleviates pain, and moistens the intestines. Its slightly warm, moving nature means it both builds blood and ensures it circulates properly — preventing the stagnation that can accompany blood deficiency. It is the principal herb in formulas for irregular periods, painful periods, post-partum recovery, and fertility support. Research confirms phytooestrogenic, anti-inflammatory, and uterine-regulating effects. It should be avoided during pregnancy without practitioner supervision due to its blood-moving action.
Shu Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia)
Shu Di Huang is the primary herb for nourishing kidney yin, essence, and blood. It is deeply nourishing and particularly suited to patterns of profound deficiency — low AMH, diminished ovarian reserve, post-partum depletion, and the yin deficiency of menopause. Its richly tonifying nature means it requires accompanying digestive herbs (such as Chen Pi) to prevent it from overwhelming the spleen in weaker patients.
Bai Shao (White Peony)
Bai Shao nourishes blood, softens the liver, and relieves pain — particularly the cramping, spasmodic pain associated with blood deficiency and liver qi stagnation. It is one of the herbs in the classical blood-nourishing formula Si Wu Tang and appears in virtually every gynaecological formula for blood deficiency. Research confirms antispasmodic, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects from its active compound paeoniflorin.
He Shou Wu (Polygonum)
He Shou Wu tonifies kidney jing and liver blood, darkens the hair, and addresses patterns of premature ageing and constitutional blood deficiency. It is one of the principal longevity herbs in classical texts. The prepared (Zhi) form must be used — raw He Shou Wu is hepatotoxic and should never be used.
The Classical Blood-Building Formulas
Si Wu Tang (Four Substance Decoction) — containing Dang Gui, Shu Di Huang, Bai Shao, and Chuan Xiong — is the foundational blood-nourishing formula in Chinese medicine. Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction) adds the four qi tonics to create a formula that builds both qi and blood simultaneously — the most widely used formula for post-menstrual recovery, post-partum depletion, and combined qi and blood deficiency. Gui Pi Tang nourishes heart blood and spleen qi, addressing the anxiety, palpitations, and poor sleep of heart blood deficiency.
To discuss blood deficiency or Chinese herbal treatment, contact me or book a consultation in Wokingham.
