Dry blood consumption

A disease recorded in On Blood Patterns (血证论 xuè zhèng lùn) that in signs and treatment corresponds to what is mentioned in Essential Prescriptions of the Golden Cabinet (金匮要略 jīn guì yào lüè) as dry blood. Dry blood consumption is mostly seen in women. It results from long steaming of vacuity heat and internal binding of dry blood with stasis and stagnation, stemming from damage by the five taxations. When, in enduring conditions, static blood is not eliminated, new blood is engendered with difficulty, and liquid and blood fail to create luxuriance in the outer body. Signs include absence of menstruation, markedly emaciated body, no desire for food and drink, steaming bone tidal heat, encrusted skin, and dull black complexion.

Medicinal therapy: Quicken the blood and move stasis; clear accumulated heat. Use Rhubarb and Ground Beetle Pill (大黄蟅虫丸 dà huáng zhè chóng wán). After this, nourish and harmonize the blood with Chinese Angelica Blood-Supplementing Decoction (当归补血汤 dāng guī bǔ xuè tāng) and Four Agents Decoction (四物汤 sì wù tāng).