In this busy city, Xiao Li copes with a lot of pressure every day.
Not long ago, he began to feel a tingling pain in his chest and between his flanks, especially after a heated discussion with his colleagues.
This made him realize that it might be more than simple muscle fatigue. After an initial online search, he found that the symptoms were highly consistent with "blood stasis", a common diagnosis in Chinese medicine.
1. Identification and common symptoms of blood stasis
In traditional Chinese medicine, blood stasis refers to the state of poor blood circulation, resulting in blood congestion. Various symptoms occur when the blood inside the human body does not flow well. The most common is a swelling or tingling pain in the chest, which is especially pronounced during mood swings.
In addition to chest and flank pain, blood stasis may also cause stomach pain, abdominal pain, and digestive discomfort. For women, blood stasis can also lead to menstrual irregularities and blood clots during menstruation, which are specific physiological manifestations of blood stasis.
This abnormal accumulation of blood, if not treated in time, may also combine with phlegm and dampness in the body, and over time, form more serious health problems, such as cysts, fibroids, etc.
The appearance of these symptoms is actually a warning signal from the body to us, indicating that our blood circulation has been blocked and we need timely conditioning and treatment.
2. The relationship between blood stasis and the liver
In TCM theory, the liver is a very critical organ, which is not only responsible for the storage of blood, but also responsible for the circulation of emotions and qi in the body.
Therefore, when the liver function is not smooth, especially when the liver qi is stagnant, it will directly affect the operation of the blood, resulting in blood retention in the body and blood stasis.
Poor channeling of liver qi will not only lead to poor blood circulation, but also manifest as mood swings such as irritability and irritability, which further exacerbates the problem of blood circulation.
In addition, the poor liver can also affect other organs, especially the spleen and stomach, resulting in a series of digestive problems such as loss of appetite and indigestion.
The accumulation of these problems will further deteriorate the condition of the body, forming a vicious circle. Therefore, the treatment of blood stasis should not only be limited to dredging blood, but also need to pay attention to the regulation and recovery of liver function, and fundamentally solve the problem of blood circulation.
3. Limitations of traditional stasis remedies
In the treatment system of traditional Chinese medicine, the formula is widely used in the treatment of blood stasis-related symptoms. However, although the traditional stasis formula has achieved certain clinical results, its limitations are also becoming apparent.
First of all, many traditional formulas place too much emphasis on tackling and breaking down stasis, while neglecting the harmony and nourishment of the overall function of the body.
For example, Xuefu Zhuyu Tang is a commonly used stasis dissolving formula, mainly used to treat symptoms such as blood stasis and pain after trauma, and its main ingredients include peach kernels, safflower and other medicinal materials that have strong blood circulation and blood stasis.
Although these ingredients can effectively dredge blood stasis in the short term, long-term use may lead to deficiency of qi and blood in the body, especially for patients with weak spleen and stomach function, and may have side effects such as loss of appetite and weakness.
In addition, the intrinsic connection between blood stasis and liver dysfunction is often ignored in the treatment process of traditional blood stasis remedies. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the liver is responsible for draining and ensuring the smooth flow of qi and blood, and poor liver qi directly affects blood circulation, which in turn forms blood stasis.
Therefore, relying only on the blood stasis formula to break the blood stasis without starting from the regulation of liver function, the therapeutic effect is often to treat the symptoms but not the root cause, and it is difficult to fundamentally solve the problem.
Fourth, citron and pot-bellied skin: the dual role of soothing the liver and removing stasis
In view of the limitations of traditional anti-stasis formulas, modern Chinese medicine research has found that two medicinal materials, citron and pot-bellied skin, have shown excellent results in soothing the liver and invigorating blood and removing blood stasis.
Citrus aurantium, scientific name Citrus aurantium, is often used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat symptoms such as chest and flank swelling and pain, loss of appetite, etc., and its unique chemical composition can effectively promote liver function and regulate qi, so as to achieve the effect of soothing the liver and relieving depression.
At the same time, citron can also strengthen the digestion and absorption function of the spleen and stomach, and has a good improvement effect on indigestion caused by liver depression affecting the spleen and stomach.
Big-bellied skin, also known as bergamot, has a bitter, pungent and warm taste, returns to the liver and stomach meridians, and has a good effect of soothing the liver and regulating qi, removing blood stasis and relieving pain.
In the treatment of blood stasis, the big belly skin can be combined with citron, which not only enhances the effect of removing blood stasis, but also further promotes blood circulation and avoids the formation of new blood stasis by soothing the liver and regulating qi.
This kind of compatibility can not only solve the problem of blood stasis in a targeted manner, but also fundamentally regulate liver function and restore the flow of qi and blood, which is a more comprehensive and in-depth treatment strategy.
5. Regulate the spleen and stomach, soften, firm and disperse knots of traditional Chinese medicine
In TCM theory, the spleen and stomach are regarded as the "acquired foundation" and the source of qi and blood biochemistry. Blood stasis is not only related to the dysfunction of the liver, but also the health of the spleen and stomach has an important impact on blood production and circulation. Therefore, while treating blood stasis, regulating the function of the spleen and stomach is a link that cannot be ignored.
There are many medicinal materials in traditional Chinese medicine that have the effect of regulating the spleen and stomach, softening and dissolving knots. For example, atractylodes, poria cocos, yam and other medicinal materials, they can enhance the function of the spleen and stomach, and have a good effect on improving symptoms such as loss of appetite and indigestion caused by weakness of the spleen and stomach.
At the same time, these herbs can also assist in removing blood stasis drugs, improve treatment efficiency, and reduce the impact of blood stasis on the body.
Soft and hard knots refer to the softening and dispersion of hard lumps in the body, such as tumors and cysts, through the action of traditional Chinese medicine. In the treatment of induration or lumps formed by blood stasis, herbs with high iodine content, such as seaweed and kelp, can soften the hard lump and promote its absorption and dissipation.
This kind of herb can not only directly act on the induration formed by blood stasis, but also indirectly promote the dissipation of induration by improving blood circulation.
6. Lifestyle adjustment and prevention
In addition to medication, lifestyle modifications are equally important for the prevention and treatment of bruising. Moderate physical activity, such as walking, jogging, tai chi, etc., can improve blood circulation and reduce the possibility of blood stasis.
At the same time, it is also very important to maintain a good mood, because mood swings, especially anger, directly affect the liver's excretory function, which in turn affects blood circulation.
In terms of diet, you should avoid excessive intake of high-fat, high-sugar foods, which will increase blood lipids, aggravate blood viscosity, and are not conducive to blood circulation.
Instead, eat more vitamin- and fiber-rich foods, such as fresh vegetables and fruits, which can help improve blood circulation and prevent the formation of blood stasis.
epilogue
Blood stasis is an important concept in TCM theory, which is not only related to the health status of the individual, but also closely related to the lifestyle. Through an in-depth understanding of blood stasis, we can see that the treatment of blood stasis is not only about simply using anti-stasis drugs, but more importantly, about adjusting and optimizing the body's functions as a whole.
The application of citron and pot-bellied skin provides an effective method to relieve liver and blood circulation and dispel blood stasis, while the Chinese herbal medicine that regulates the spleen and stomach and softens and dissolves knots supports the treatment of blood stasis from another perspective.
In addition, lifestyle modifications, especially a reasonable diet and moderate exercise, are of great significance for the prevention and treatment of blood stasis.
In conclusion, through comprehensive treatment and lifestyle adjustments, we can manage and solve the problem of blood stasis more effectively, thereby promoting physical health and quality of life.