Regulate the Blood — herbs and formulas (理血剂)

This category covers both moving stagnant Blood (Blood stasis) and stopping pathological bleeding. Blood-invigorating formulas are some of the most important in gynaecology, pain medicine and post-stroke care.

Sub-categories

1. Invigorate Blood — Tao Hong Si Wu Tang, Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan, Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang
2. Stop bleeding — Shi Hui San, Huang Tu Tang, Jiao Ai Tang

Herbs in this category

The following individual herbs belong to this category in the Chinese Materia Medica:

Herbs that invigorate the Blood

• Chuan Xiong (Sichuan lovage root / Chuanxiong)
• Dan Shen (Red Sage Root (Danshen))
• E Zhu (Zedoary Rhizome)
• Hong Hua (Safflower flower)
• Hu Zhang (Japanese knotweed root / Bushy knotweed)
• Jiang Huang (Turmeric Rhizome)
• Ling Xiao Hua (Campsis Flower)
• Mo Yao (Myrrh)
• Niu Xi (Achyranthes root / Ox-knee root)
• Ru Xiang (Frankincense)
• San Leng (Sparganium Rhizome)
• Tao Ren (Peach Kernel (Peach Seed))
• Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria Seed)
• Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome)
• Yi Mu Cao (Chinese Motherwort (Leonurus))
• Yin Xing Ye (Ginkgo leaf / Maidenhair tree leaf)
• Yu Jin (Curcuma Tuber)
• Ze Lan (Bugleweed (Lycopus))

Herbs that stop bleeding

• Ai Ye (Mugwort leaf / Moxa herb)
• Bai Mao Gen (Woolly grass rhizome / Cogon grass root)
• Ce Bai Ye (Biota leaf / Oriental arborvitae)
• Di Yu (Garden burnet root / Sanguisorba root)
• Huai Hua (Sophora Flower)
• Pu Huang (Typha Pollen)
• San Qi (Notoginseng root / Tienchi ginseng)

Formulas in this category

The following classical and modern formulas in this category are detailed individually in the formula directory:

1. Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang — Heart-chest Blood stasis
2. Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan — Blood stasis (fibroids, endometriosis)
3. Tao Hong Si Wu Tang — Blood deficiency with stasis
4. Bu Yang Huan Wu Tang — post-stroke Qi deficiency with Blood stasis
5. Wen Jing Tang — cold uterus with menstrual irregularity
6. Sheng Hua Tang — post-partum Blood stasis
7. Jiao Ai Tang — uterine bleeding from Blood deficiency
8. Si Sheng Wan — bleeding from heat in the Blood
9. Shi Hui San — acute bleeding from heat

Browse the full formula directory for over 260 individual formula pages.

When this category is used

Formulas that Regulate the Blood are typically prescribed for: endometriosis, fibroids, dysmenorrhoea, chronic pain (Blood stasis), post-stroke recovery, traumatic injury, varicose veins. The choice of specific formula within the category is determined by precise Eight Principles pattern differentiation in clinical consultation.

About prescribing

Chinese herbal formulas are dispensed by qualified practitioners following individual TCM diagnosis. The herbs I prescribe are pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan, tested to the highest international quality and safety standards. Online consultations are available throughout the UK and worldwide.

Return to the Chinese herbal medicine main page or browse individual herbs.