Warming the blood

A method of treatment used to address cold in the blood aspect. It includes warming and nourishing the blood aspect and warming and transforming static blood.

1. Warming and nourishing the blood aspect (温养血分 wēn yǎng xuè fèn): To treat flooding and spotting in females and blood ejection in males, with pale tongue, forceless vacuous pulse, and pale lusterless nails.

Medicinal therapy: Use formulas such as Perfect Major Supplementation Decoction (十全大补汤 shí quán dà bǔ tāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on back transport points, SP, ST, and LR. Select BL-20 (Spleen Transport, 脾俞 pí shù), BL-21 (Stomach Transport, 胃俞 wèi shù), ST-36 (Leg Three Lǐ, 足三里 zú sān lǐ), SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), and LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng); needle with supplementation and add moxa.

2. Warming and transforming static blood (温化瘀血 wēn huà yū xuè): To treat cold-induced static blood manifesting in amenorrhea or menstrual irregularities with dull pale menstrual flow, purple speckles on the tongue, and a tight sunken pulse.

Medicinal therapy: Agents that warm and transform static blood include Chinese angelica (Angelicae Sinensis Radix, 当归 dāng guī), white peony (Paeoniae Radix Alba, 白芍药 bái sháo yào), chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma, 川芎 chuān xiōng), cinnamon twig (Cinnamomi Ramulus, 桂枝 guì zhī), moutan (Moutan Radicis Cortex, 牡丹皮 mǔ dān pí), and fresh ginger (Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, 生姜 shēng jiāng).

Acumoxatherapy: Base treatment mainly on LR and SP. Select BL-17 (Diaphragm Transport, 膈俞 gé shù), SP-10 (Sea of Blood, 血海 xuè hǎi), LI-4 (Union Valley, 合谷 hé gǔ), LR-3 (Supreme Surge, 太冲 tài chōng), and SP-6 (Three Yīn Intersection, 三阴交 sān yīn jiāo), as main points; needle with even supplementation and drainage and add moxa. For menstrual problems, add CV-3 (Central Pole, 中极 zhōng jí), SP-8 (Earth’s Crux, 地机 dì jī), and ST-29 (Return, 归来 guī lái).

See dispelling stasis and quickening the blood. See also menstrual irregularities; menstrual pain.