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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Vomiting of blood 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 vomiting of blood 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 vomiting of blood is often associated with abdominal pain, epistaxis and dark clots in menstrual blood in the pattern “Liver Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause vomiting of blood.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of vomiting of blood we’ve identified three 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 vomiting of blood.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause vomiting of blood
In Chinese Medicine vomiting of blood 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 Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple sides
Liver Blood Stagnation usually develops from Qi Stagnation, Cold and Heat. It has great influence over the Directing and Penetrating Vessels and thus the menstruation functions.
In addition to vomiting of blood, other symptoms associated with Liver Blood Stagnation include abdominal pain, epistaxis and dark clots in menstrual blood.
Liver Blood Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Blood Stasis in the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
In addition to vomiting of blood, other symptoms associated with Blood Stasis in the Stomach include dislike of pressure on epigastric area and bloody stools.
Blood Stasis in the Stomach is often treated with Shi Xiao San, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Cattail Pollen - Pu Huang - as a key herb). Shi Xiao San belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Invigorates Blood".
Three herbal formulas that might help with vomiting of blood
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with vomiting of blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Stagnation' of which vomiting of blood is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Blood Stagnation include abdominal pain, epistaxis and dark clots in menstrual blood.
Shi Xiao San
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Dispels Blood Stagnation. Eases pain.
Why might Shi Xiao San help with vomiting of blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stasis in the Stomach' of which vomiting of blood is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Blood Stasis In The Stomach include dislike of pressure on epigastric area and bloody stools.
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with vomiting of blood?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Blood Stagnation' of which vomiting of blood is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Blood Stagnation include abdominal pain, epistaxis and dark clots in menstrual blood.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat vomiting of blood
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with vomiting of blood?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of blood as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with vomiting of blood?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of blood as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with vomiting of blood?
Because Bupleurum Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of blood as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with vomiting of blood?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of blood as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Why might Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi) help with vomiting of blood?
Because Flying Squirrel Faeces is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of blood as a symptom, like Shi Xiao San or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Flying Squirrel Faeces is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Disperses congealed Blood in the lower abdomen and uterus and relieves pain. Promotes childhood nutrition with Cold Stagnation and focal abdominal swelling.
Other symptoms often associated with vomiting of blood
Nosebleed Abnormal uterine bleeding Sores Traumatic bleeding Hematochezia Hematuria Abdominal pain Chest pain Amenorrhea Bloody sputum