HERBS THAT CAN PROMOTE BLOOD FLOW AND REMOVE STAGNATED BLOOD

YI MU CA0 (Motherwort)

Pungent, bitter and slightly cold
Heart, liver and urinary bladder

FUNCTIONS:
-To invigorate blood and move stagnation
-To promote urination and reduce edema

INDICATIONS:
-Blood stagnation manifested as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, postpartum abdfominal pain and swelling and pain due to external injuries.
-Dysuria or edema
10-15g


JI XUE TENG (Spathologus stem)

Bitter, slightly sweet and warm
Liver

FUNCTIONS:
-Invigorate te blood
-To nourish the blood
-To relax and activate the tendons

INDICATIONS:
-Blood deficiency and blood stagnation manifested as irregular menstruation dysmenorrhea or menorryea
-Soreness and painful joints caused by invasion of wind-cold-damp manifested as numbness of the limbs, or paralysis caused by poor nourishment of tendons and muscles due to deficient blood
10-15g


TAO REN (Peach Seed)

Bitter and neutral
Heart, liver, lung and large intestine

FUNCTION:
-To invigorate blood and remove stagnation
-To lubricate the intestines and move feces downward

INDICATIONS:
-Blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum aabdominal pain and pain and swelling due to external injuries.
-Constipation due to dryness in the intestines.
6-10g
CC: This herb is pounded into pieces before decoction. It is contraindicated during pregnancy.


HONG HUA (Safflower)

Pungent and warm
Heart and liver

FUNCTIONS:
-To invigorate blood and release stagnation
-To promote menstruation

INDICATIONS:
-Blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain and pain and swelling due to external injuries.

3-10g

CC: Contraindicated during pregnancy.


NIU XI (Cyathula root)

Bitter, sour and neutral
Liver and kidney

FUNCTIONS:
-To invigorate blood, release stagnation and promote menstruation
-To tonify liver and kidneys, and strengthen the tendons and muscles
-To promote urination and relieve urinary disorders
-To conduct blood flow downward

INDICATIONS:
-Blood stagnation manifested as amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation and pains due to external injuries
-Defieciency of the liver and kidneys manifested as soreness and weakness in the lumbar region and legs
-Extravagation of blood by heat manifested as vomiting with blood and epistaxis
-Deficient yin with hyperactive yang leading to internal liver wind going upward manifested as heachache dizziness and vertigo
-Deficient yin and excessive fire manifested as ulceration of the mouth and gum swelling
-Urinary tract disorders manifested as painful urination, hematuria and dysuria

6-15g

CC: Contraindicated during pregnancy or with profuse menstrual flow


CHUAN SHAN JIA (Pangolin scales)

Salty and slightly cold
Liver and stomach

FUNCTIONS:
-To invigorate blood and promote menstruation
-To promote lactation
-To reduce swelling and dispel pus

INDICATIONS:
-Amenorrhea caused by blood stagnation
-Postpartum insufficient lactation
-Wind-damp obstruction syndrome manifested as joint pain and motor impairment
-Beginning of carbuncles and swelling manifested as red, hot, painful swollen skin

3-10g (Usually use powder. "Very, very expensive.")

CC: Should be used cautiously in sores that have already ulcerated. This substance is contraindicated during pregnancy.


CHECHONG (Cockroach)

Salty, cold and slightly toxic
Liver

FUNCTIONS:
-To invigorate blood and remove stagnation

INDICATIONS:
-Amenorrhea or postpartum abdominal pain due to blood stagnation
-Abdominal or epigastric passes.
-Pains caused by external injuries or lumbar pain due to sprain

3-10g, 1-1.5 for powder

CC: Contraindicated during pregnancy


SHUI ZHI (Leech)

Salty, bitter, neutral and slightly toxic
Liver

FUNCTION:
-To invigorate blood and remove stagnation
-to promote menstruation

INDICATIONS:
-Amenorrhea or abdominal and epigastric masses caused by blood stagnation
-Chest pain, abdominal pain and constipation caused by blood stagnation due to external injury

3-6g; .3-.5g baked powder
CC: Contraindicated during pregnancy


MENG CHONG (Gadfly)

Bitter, slightly cold and slightly toxic
Liver

FUNCTIONS:
-To invigorate blood and remove stagnation

INDICATIONS:
-Amenorrhea or abdominal and epigastric masses caused by blood stagnation
-Pain due to external injury

1-1.5g, 0.3g for baked powder

CC: Contraindicated during pregnancy


JIANG XIANG (Dalbergia Wood)

Pungent and warm
Heart and liver

FUNCTIONS:
-To invigorate blood and remove stagnation
-To stop bleeding and pain
-To conduct qi downward and resolve turbid dampness

INDICATIONS:
-Qi and blood stagnation manifested as stifling sensation in te chest and hypchondriac pain
-Swellings and pain due to external injuries
-Interior turbid dampness with voniting and abdominal pain
-Hemorrhage and pain due to external injuries

3-6g, 1-2g for powder