Liver Blood Deficiency

Liver Blood Deficiency

Liver Blood Deficiency refers to a series of syndromes caused by a deficiency of liver blood. This can be due to several reasons, including a deficiency of kidney essence leading to insufficient essence and blood, a weakness in the spleen and stomach resulting in an inadequate source for blood production, or the depletion of yin and blood from a prolonged illness. These underlying conditions can lead to symptoms such as dizziness, tinnitus, a pale complexion, blurred vision, and numbness in the limbs.

Clinical Manifestations

The clinical manifestations are primarily related to the lack of nourishment from the blood to the sinews, nails, eyes, and skin. This can result in:

• Numbness of the limbs, restricted movement and stiffness in the joints, and tremors in the hands and feet.[1][2][3][4]

• Dry, brittle, and thin nails.[1][2][5][6]

• Blurred vision, floaters, diminished eyesight, or even night blindness. It can also be accompanied by dizziness and tinnitus.[1][2][5][6]

• A pale face and tongue, a white tongue coating, and a fine pulse, which are all symptoms of blood deficiency.

• Other concurrent symptoms may include irritability with excessive dreaming, being easily startled or fearful, and irregular menstruation.[1][2][3][5]

Treatment and Conditioning

The primary treatment principle is to nourish the liver and supplement the blood.[7]

Dietary Recommendations

• Red Dates (Jujube): Warm in nature and sweet in taste, they can both replenish qi and nourish the blood.[3]

• Mulberry: Commonly known as sang guo, it is rich in glucose, fructose, calcium, and vitamins. It has excellent blood-tonifying effects and also helps to calm the mind, making it especially suitable for those with insomnia due to blood deficiency.

• Longan Aril (Longan Fruit): It can nourish the blood, calm the heart, soothe the mind, and enhance intelligence. It is highly recommended for individuals with palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, and forgetfulness due to blood deficiency and a weakened constitution.[5]

• Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis): This is one of the most commonly used Chinese herbs for tonifying the blood. It is particularly suitable for anyone with blood deficiency, especially women.[5]

• Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin): In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ejiao is believed to have the effect of nourishing yin and tonifying the blood.