We tend to be a blood-deficient society—overextending ourselves, staying up late and not getting enough sleep, eating food on the go, feeling more stress than calmness, exercising hard—even when exhausted. Sound familiar?
As a health coach for FloLiving.com and an acupuncturist who specializes in women’s health, I speak with patients about blood deficiency multiple times daily. Working with clients, I have observed a lot of pale tongues with weak pulses to match; just two signs that may point to blood deficiency diagnosis.
One way blood deficiency shows up is in our sleep patterns. I call myself a reformed night owl, because at age 26 I couldn’t wake up in the mornings and requested a sleep study test. I came to understand how poor sleep habits were taking a toll on my overall well-being and energy levels. My body was begging for more rest, and I noticed I wasn’t digesting food well and often felt sluggish or out of balance.. That’s when I began to learn about Chinese medicine and herbal remedies.
Chinese Medicine Helps Establish Balance
Blood and Qi, or life force, according to Chinese medicine, are interconnected. A deficiency in blood creates an imbalance in our flow, Qi. Put simply, blood is important! It feeds our muscles, helping to prevent pain, and nourishes every aspect of our body, including the skin, brain, and deep organs.
Although acupuncture can support specific organ systems to help build the blood, a Chinese medicine mentor explained to me that food—diet, and herbal remedies—are the best way to build blood. Chinese herbal traditions aim to support internal balance and harmony, which may promote a sense of well-being over time.
Gui Pi Tang Supports the Heart, Blood, and Spleen Qi and Blood
In Chinese medicine, the spleen and stomach work together to ensure proper digestion. These organs receive food that we eat, and in the process of digestion, the spleen extracts Qi and uses some of it to produce blood.
A strong digestive system helps us successfully obtain the nutrients from food to build blood. Here are some foods that, along with Gui Pi Tang, can strengthen digestion and help build blood: artichoke, beetroot, cabbage, dandelion and all dark leafy greens, kelp, spinach, watercress, wheatgrass, apple, apricot, avocado, date, fig, cherry, black sesame seeds, bone marrow and liver, bone broth, nettles, parsley, molasses, spirulina. Foods that are dark red, like blood, are commonly favored in TCM dietary practices for their symbolic association with blood nourishment. Avoid foods that deplete blood, such as excessively sweet, salty, fatty, or chemically processed foods.
Other ways to build blood:
- Eat regular meals and avoid fasting.
- Obtain adequate rest/sleep.
- Consume a nourishing diet during times of physiological demand, such as after menstruation or childbirth, to support vitality and balance.
- Do not overwork emotionally or physically.
Benefits of Gui Pi Tang
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shen is known as the Heart Spirit — the emotional and mental reflection of inner balance and health. When Shen is unsettled, it is believed to affect sleep, mood, and overall harmony. The Mental Tranquility formula is inspired by time-tested Chinese herbal traditions used to calm the spirit, nourish the blood, and support emotional well-being. It’s commonly used in TCM to promote a sense of calm, help promote resilience and emotional balance in the face of daily demands, and encourage restful sleep.
Supporting inner balance may help you feel more aligned and energized.
Curious about trying Gui Pi Tang for yourself? Chinese herbs can be very confusing and not very tasty. Pills are easy, but they're not as bio-available as drinkable herbs, so they don't work as quickly or as effectively. DAO Labs has modernized this incredible formula in Mental Tranquility, complementing the 12 sustainable herbs with black cherry and spice to create a powerful, drinkable version. Many customers use Mental Tranquility as part of their nighttime wellness ritual and say it supports a sense of calm and restfulness. We invite you to give it a try! Use code SLEEP15 at checkout to save 15% on your first order.
Care Consideration: Just a reminder that the above information is not a substitute for medical care and is not a substitute for medical advice or recommendations from a healthcare provider. This information is not intended to treat, mitigate, or cure any disease. That said, we encourage you to connect with an Acupuncturist in your community to learn more about this and other Traditional Chinese Medicine options. If you’ve got questions about Chinese herbal medicine or getting started with an Acupuncturist, feel free to connect with us at hello@mydaolabs.com.
Jen Ward, LAc combines Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Functional Medicine and Integrative Health Coaching and Pilates to help you achieve optimal health. By applying ancient wisdom to a modern lifestyle, Jen helps you balance your body by uncovering the root of your imbalance and explore your constitutional health, your nature within. Jen offers individualized support and incorporates the appropriate health tools to help you achieve your health goals. She is also the Business Development Director at DAO Labs. Reach out to her at jen@mydaolabs.com to learn more.
