Anemia according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
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Anemia can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like anemia here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here anemia is often associated with shortness of breath, weak voice and pale face in the pattern “Lung Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause anemia.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of anemia we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat anemia.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause anemia
In Chinese Medicine anemia is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
The Lungs govern Qi and respiration. In case of Lung Qi Deficiency, Qi's protecting, dispersing and descending function can not be performed properly.
In addition to anemia, other symptoms associated with Lung Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and pale face.
Lung Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi".
Milkvetch Roots (Huang Qi) is the king ingredient for Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a formula used for Empty-Cold
Empty-Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to anemia, other symptoms associated with Empty-Cold include palpitations, poor appetite and shortness of breath.
Empty-Cold is often treated with Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Milkvetch Roots - Huang Qi - as a key herb). Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)".
Five herbal formulas that might help with anemia
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Si Jun Zi Tang help with anemia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which anemia is a symptom.
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Why might Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang help with anemia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' of which anemia is a symptom.
Da Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency. Directs rebellious Qi downward. Relieves pain.
Why might Da Jian Zhong Tang help with anemia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' of which anemia is a symptom.
Jiu Xian San
Source date: Yuan dynasty
Number of ingredients: 9 herbs
Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.
Why might Jiu Xian San help with anemia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which anemia is a symptom.
Bu Fei Tang
Source date: 1331 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Stabilizes the Exterior.
Why might Bu Fei Tang help with anemia?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which anemia is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for anemia
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat anemia
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with anemia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anemia as a symptom)
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with anemia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anemia as a symptom)
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with anemia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anemia as a symptom)
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with anemia?
Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with anemia as a symptom)
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Milkvetch Root (Huang Qi) help with anemia?
Because it is a key herb in Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Empty-Cold' (a pattern with anemia as a symptom)
Milkvetch Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Wei Qi and stops perspiration. Tonifies the Spleen Qi and the Yang Qi of the Earth Element. Tonifies the Qi and Blood. Expels pus and assists in the healing of wounds. Helps to regulate water metabolism in the body and reduce edema.
Other symptoms often associated with anemia
Palpitations Poor appetite Abnormal uterine bleeding Tinnitus Fatigue Shortness of breath Weak voice Vertigo Pale face Irregular menstruation