Evidence supporting the use of: Blood
For the body system: Spleen
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), "Blood" is a fundamental concept often referring not only to the physical blood but also to a vital substance responsible for nourishing tissues and supporting various organ systems, including the Spleen. The Spleen, in TCM theory, is central to the production and management of Blood. It is said to "govern" the transformation of food into Qi and Blood, and to "hold" the Blood within the vessels, preventing hemorrhage. Many herbal formulas and dietary recommendations in TCM aim to "tonify the Blood" to support Spleen function, especially in cases of fatigue, poor appetite, and menstrual disorders, which are believed to result from Spleen and Blood deficiencies. There is a long historical tradition of using animal blood (such as deer or pig blood) and blood-tonifying herbs (such as Dang Gui/Angelica sinensis) to nourish Blood and thereby support the Spleen. However, these practices are based on TCM’s theoretical framework and not on modern anatomical or physiological understanding of the spleen or blood production. Scientific evidence validating the effectiveness of consuming blood or blood-tonifying herbs specifically for supporting spleen function as understood in Western medicine is limited. Thus, the use of "Blood" to support the Spleen body system is justified primarily by traditional usage and theoretical models in Chinese medicine rather than contemporary scientific research.
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