“Blood is the energetic of repose, receptivity, and relaxation. Blood is the absence of tension; it is rest, nourishment, and cycles of movement; it is absence of goals, the easy acknowledgement of what has already been accomplished. Blood is soft, moistening, and allows for recognition of self-worth.”

According to Chinese Medicine, Blood is one of the Five Vital Substances of life. The Yin to Qi’s Yang, Blood anchors and nourishes the more active, novel, and striving nature of our being. Not only does Blood circulate essential nutrients and moisture throughout the entire body, it carries our emotions and our memories, infuses us with worthiness, allows for receptivity and ritual, and propels the effortless cycles of being. And so, Blood’s abundant and easy flow is imperative to our vibrant and abiding well-being. 

When Blood is in short supply, our vitality dwindles. 

“Deficient Blood is the inappropriate presence of tension; it is restlessness, tightness, jumpiness, the absence of responsiveness and receptivity.”

In traditional Eastern systems, what’s referred to as "Blood Deficiency" is often considered the result of significant blood loss—such as during childbirth, heavy cycles, or physical trauma—or more frequently, due to weak digestion. The digestive system, particularly what’s called “Spleen Qi,” is seen as the main source of new Blood in the body. On a deeper level, some traditions view this condition as a physical reflection of inner patterns, such as difficulty receiving nourishment or acknowledgment. 

In TCM, Blood Deficiency is traditionally associated with feelings of restlessness or difficulty focusing, reflecting a state of internal imbalance

According to traditional Eastern wellness systems, Blood Deficiency may express itself in subtle physical or emotional patterns, including: 

• Trouble sleeping or relaxing
• Feeling unsettled or dissatisfied
• Occasional absent-mindedness
• Nervousness or fearfulness
• Feeling dizzy or off-balance
• A thin or delicate body type
• Vision issues, like floaters
• Occasional tingling sensations
• Muscle cramps
• Dry hair or skin
• Light or irregular menstrual flow
• Pale features
• A weak or thin pulse (as felt by trained practitioners)

Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency

While many (if not all) organs are impacted by deficient Blood, the organ networks most vulnerable are the Liver and Heart. 

The Liver Stores Blood:

The Liver’s Blood is responsible for basic repose, unhurried cyclical movements, a gentle milieu, the absence of a need to go anywhere, and the easy sense of self-acknowledgement. The Liver’s Blood softens, moistens, and relaxes.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Liver is believed to store Blood and support the smooth flow of energy, or Qi, throughout the body. Balanced Blood flow is seen as key to emotional and physical harmony.

When the Liver’s Blood is deficient, a person will be inappropriately tense, feel confined, nervously fidget, have tight tendons, stiff joints, or spasmodic movement.

In traditional Chinese thinking, when Liver Blood is low, life can feel harder to manage—both physically and emotionally. Some classic signs might include:

• Frantic thoughts or nervous tension
• Feeling worn out or hopeless
• Trouble seeing a path forward
• Low tolerance for stress or pain
• Uneasy or dream-filled sleep
• Body stiffness or tension
• Spasms or tingling in the limbs
• Blurred vision
• Feeling light-headed
• Light or missing menstrual cycles

The Liver Mediates Pain

Liver blood builds our capacity to meet and integrate painful experiences. In traditional thought, the Liver’s Blood is seen as supporting one’s capacity to fully experience sensations, including emotional and physical discomfort. It is believed to foster acceptance—offering the inner space needed to navigate the natural limitations and challenges of life. When this inner resource is abundant, it may allow discomfort to be held with greater ease, becoming part of one’s lived experience rather than something to resist. When it is lacking, there may be a tendency toward internal resistance, tension, or an urge to escape what is simply part of being human. This state might also show up as a kind of numbness or a reduced ability to stay present with one’s own struggles in a compassionate way.

THE HEART GOVERNS BLOOD

The Heart‘s Blood is the responsive and relaxed component of the link to time and place. From a traditional perspective, low Heart Blood may leave a person feeling a little ungrounded or fragile. It might show up as:

• Forgetting everyday things
• Social anxiety or awkwardness
• A desire to be alone
• Feeling jumpy or overexposed
• Mental fog
• Sensitivity to internal rhythms
• Low energy
• Pale skin or lips
• Unexpected sweating
• Hard time falling asleep
• Struggling for words when speaking in front of others

If Blood is deficient, the Heart suffers, and the Mind is deprived of its ‘residence'.

Nourishing the Blood

Herbal Medicine: Si Wu Tang is a classic herbal blend traditionally used to support and nourish what’s known in Chinese herbalism as the Blood. It serves as the inspiration for DAO Lab’s Four Substance formula. While historically associated with supporting balance during the menstrual cycle, this blend is also used more broadly to promote internal harmony and help maintain a sense of ease in the body.

Acupuncture Points for Blood Deficiency

• Moxa at Liver 8
• Vetiver Essential Oil at Stomach 12 or Stomach 36
• Amber &/or Moxa at Spleen 3
• Rose Essential Oil at Heart 7

Foods for Blood Deficiency

• Seaweeds, spirulina, and other chlorophyll-rich foods
• Sprouts and lightly steamed leafy greens
• Blackberries and raspberries
• Blackstrap molasses
• Royal jelly, gelatin, mussels, oysters,  or organic (beef/lamb/chicken) liver

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.

Hannah Fries is a California-based licensed acupuncturist and herbalist (L.Ac.), writer, and Integrative Body Psychotherapy allied professional. She seeks to discover & alchemize the psycho-emotional and spiritual roots of disharmony in the physical body to help her clients transform the obstacles that interfere with their innate healing capacity. Find out more about Hannah and her work on her website at https://www.friespirit.com or on Instagram @friespirit.