HB123-CH10-2Herbs that Invigorate the Blood

 Dan Shen (Salvia Root/Red Sage Root)

[Taste] bitter; [Temperature] slightly cold; [Channel] HT, LR, PC

1. Nourishes the Blood and calms the Spirit

2. For Blood Stasis obstructing the chest; Rib and hypochondriac pain due to LR Qi and Blood Stasis. 

Hong Hua (Safflower)

0.9-1.5g when harmonizing Blood.

• Large doses—dispel Blood Stasis. 

• Small doses— harmonize the Blood.

Tao Ren (Peach Kernel)

[Taste] bitter, sweet; [Temperature] neutral; [Channel] HT, LR, LU, LI

1. Breaks up Blood Stasis and invigorates Blood circulation

2. Moistens the Intestines and unblocks the bowels

Yi Mu Cao (Chinese Motherwort)

 [Temperature] slightly cold; [Channel] HT, LR, UB

1. Promotes urination and reduces swelling 

2. for Acute systemic edema accompanied by Blood Stasis, especially blood in the urine.

Ze Lan (Bugleweed)

[Temperature] slightly warm;

1. Promotes urination and disperses swellings

2. for pain and swelling from abscess or trauma (internal and topical).

牛膝 Niu Xi (Achyranthes Root/ White Oxknee Root) (Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae)

Clears Damp-Heat in the Lower Jiao—> Damp-Heat Pouring Downward with knee pain or LBP; as an auxiliary for painful urinary dysfunction (Lin) or vaginal discharge, especially for Stone Lin with LBP and bloody urine.

鸡血藤 Ji Xue Teng (Spatholobus Root and Vine) (Caulis Spatholobi)

[Channel] HT, LR, SP

1. Activates the channels and relaxes the sinews—>Numbness of the extremities, lower back pain, knee pain, or general soreness of the joints due to Wind-Damp Bi with either Blood Def or Stasis;

Chi Shao (Red Peony Root)

sour, bitter; Counteracts Tu Si Zi, Chuan Bei Mu, Zhe Bei Mu and Da Huang.

*Clears Heat and cools the Blood

San Leng (Burr-Reed Rhizome)

bitter, acrid; neutral;

1.Forcefully breaks up Blood Stasis, regulates Qi, and alleviates pain

2.Dissolves accumulations

E Zhu (Zedoary Root)

bitter, acrid;

1.Invigorates Blood circulation, promotes the movement of Qi, and alleviates pain

2. Dissolves accumulations and alleviates pain

        三棱偏于破血，莪术偏于行气

• San Leng is a stronger Blood invigorator, while E Zhu is more effective at moving Qi.

川芎 Chuan Xiong (Sichuan Lovage Rhizome) (Rhizoma Chuanxiong)

• Use caution with pregnancy; with someone who bleeds or bruises easily.

• Symptoms of overdose include: vomiting and dizziness.

1. Blood Stasis, especially in gynecology with dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, difficult labor, or retained lochia; Qi and Blood Stagnation with pain and soreness in the chest, flanks, and hypochondria.

Jiang Huang (Turmeric Rhizome)

Wind-Damp-Bi with Blood Stasis, especially in the shoulders.

Yu Jin (Curcuma Tuber)

1. Clears heat and cools the Blood

2. Clears the HT and opens the Orifices

3. Benefits the GB and reduces jaundice

[Taste] acrid, bitter; [Temperature] cold; [Channel] LR, HT, LU

Yuan Hu Suo (Corydalis Rhizome)

1. invigorates the Blood, promote the movement of Qi, stops pain .

• Vinegar-fried (Cu Yan Hu suo)——the best analgesic 镇痛药effects.

Ru Xiang (Frankincense)

1. Invigorates the Blood and promotes the movement of Qi

2. Relaxes the sinews, activates the channels, and alleviates pain

3. Reduces swelling and generates flesh

Mo Yao (Myrrh/Commiphora)

1. Invigorates the Blood, dispels Blood Stasis, alleviates pain, and reduces swelling

2. Generates flesh and promotes healing

• ru xiang +mo yao—>Both invigorate Blood, disperse Stasis, stop pain, reduce swelling and generate flesh.

王不留行 Wang Bu Liu Xing (Vaccaria Seeds)

1. Promotes the movement of Blood and invigorates the channels(promotes lactation→upper body; unblocks menstruations→lower part)