Blood deficiency is a common condition in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) caused by a lack of nourishment to the blood. In this post, we will discuss the various symptoms, treatment, and dietary recommendations

Symptoms

  • Pale lips, nail beds, tongue, complexion
  • Dry skin, hair, nails
  • Fatigue, coldness, dizziness, poor memory, difficulty focusing
  • Tinnitus, anemia, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, migraines
  • Palpitations, blurred vision, numbness,
  • Hair loss, easily injured tendons, cramps/spasm, brittle nails,
  • Scanty periods, infertility
  • Causes
  • Poor nutrition, restrictive diets, poor eating habits
  • Poor absorption of nutrients from the food you eat
  • Blood Loss (GI bleeding, heavy periods, surgery or medical procedure, childbirth)
  • Chronic Disease
  • Physical Trauma
  • Excess alcohol/drug use
  • Worry
  • Overwork – physical/mental

Treatment

  • Enhance absorption of nutrients from food by healing your digestive system: drink bone broth, get acupuncture, avoid foods and drinks that cause trouble.
  • Get 8-9 hours of sleep each night: employ good sleep hygiene.
  • Increase consumption of essential nutrients: iron, folic acid, B12, protein, copper, and Vitamin C.
  • Eat your meals in a mindful way: eat slowly, chew well, in a calm environment, away from your desk/TV.
  • Seek variety and balance in your diet.
  • Go out into nature.
  • Rest when needed, say no, and ask for help.
  • Participate in relaxing activities: meditation, restorative yoga, Taichi, reading, art/crafting, journaling, and walking.
  • Seek counseling if there are unresolved emotional issues
  • Seek work-life balance.

Foods To Include

  • Eggs
  • Beef
  • Chicken
  • Liver
  • Seaweed
  • Nuts/seeds (soaked)
  • Bluegreen algae
  • Blackstrap molasses
  • Leafy greens (cooked) – kale, Swiss chard, spinach, bok choy, collard greens
  • Brown rice
  • Oatmeal
  • Muscles, oysters
  • Beets, Yams
  • Nettle tea
  • Wheatgrass

Foods to Avoid

  • Sugar
  • Alcohol
  • Dairy products
  • Vegetable oils
  • Processed foods
  • Raw foods
  • Cold foods/drinks
  • Deep fried food
  • Soy


References:
http://www.giovanni-maciocia.com/downloads/EJOM_Blood_Deficiency.pdf
‘Healing with Whole Foods‘ by Paul Pitchford
http://sixdegreeshealth.ca/resources/facts-lists/healthy-blood/