XUE (Blood)
Definition
Although the red liquid which circulates throughout the body is called Blood in Western Medicine,
that is only part of the Chinese conception of Blood. In addition to being a substance, Blood is
also regarded as a force, a level of activity in the body which is involved with the sensivity of the
sense organs, as well as a deep level of the body in the progression of febrile diseases.
Traditionally, it is said that Blood is manufactured in the Middle Energizer, using the QI derived from
the air in the Lungs and food digested by the Spleen. The major function of Blood is to carry
nourishment to all parts of the body. It is therefore closely related to nourishing QI. Essence and
Blood have a common source; both constitute the material basis of the human body, Blood comes
from congenital essence and is nourished by acquired food essence. Blood is the 'mother' of vital
energy for being the latter's material basis. Hence deficiency of Blood usually causes insufficient
vital energy, and massive loss of Blood may lead to collapse (prostration of vital energy).
Formation and circulation of Blood
As the fundamental substances required in Blood formation originate from food essence produced
by the Spleen and Stomach, these two organs are regarded as the source of QI and Blood. The
thirtieth chapter of Miraculous Pivot holds:
'When the Middle JIAO receives food essence it will transform it into red fluid which is called Blood'.
The seventy-first chapter of the same book also says: 'YING QI flows into the vessels to be
transformed into Blood'. Essence and Blood may also transform into each other. The book Zhang's
General Medicine states: 'If Blood is not consumed, it turns into essence in the kidney; if essence
does not leak out, it is transformed into Blood in the liver'. Taking food essence and kidney essence
as the material basis, Blood is formed by the functional activities of ZANG-FU organs such as the
Spleen, Stomach, Heart,
Lung, Liver and Kidney.
After being formed, Blood normally circulates in the vessels throughout the body, and is acted upon
jointly by the Heart, Liver and Spleen. The Heart dominates the Blood and vessels, and the
propelling force of Heart QI is the basis of Blood circulation. The Spleen QI controls Blood and
prevents extravasation. The Liver promotes the free flow of QI, stores Blood and regulates its volume.
The coordination of these three organs ensures continuous blood circulation in the vessels
throughout the body. Dysfunction of any of them may cause abnormal Blood circulation. Deficiency
of Heart QI, for instance, may lead to stagnation of Heart Blood. Dysfunction of the Spleen in
controlling Blood may lead to Bloody stools, uterine or subcutaneous bleeding and ecchymoses.
Functions of Blood
Blood circulates throughout the body, passing through the five ZANG and six FU in the interior, and
the skin, muscles, tendons and bones on the exterior.
In this way Blood nourishes and moistens the various tissues and organs of the body. The
Twenty-second Problem of Classic on Medical Problems generalises this function of Blood, saying:
'Blood dominates nourishment and moisture'. The nourishing and moistening function of Blood
manifests clearly in the movement of the eye and four limbs. According to the tenth chapter of Plain
Questions, 'When the liver receives Blood, it gives rise to vision; when the feet receive Blood they
are capable of walking; when the palms receive Blood they are capable of holding; and when the
fingers receive Blood they are capable of grasping'.
The forty-seventh chapter of Miraculous Pivot says: 'When the Blood is in harmony ... the tendons
and bones will be strong and the joints will function smoothly'. Insufficiency of Blood may impair its
nourishing and moistening function, and give rise to symptoms such as impaired vision, dryness of
the eyes, motor impairment of the joints, numbness of the four limbs and dryness and itchiness of
the skin.
Blood is the material foundation for mental activities. A sufficient Blood supply ensures clear
consciousness and a vigorous spirit. The twenty-sixth chapter of Plain Questions states: 'QI and
Blood are the foundation for human mental activities'. The thirty-second chapter of Miraculous Pivot
says: 'Harmonious circulation of Blood ensures a vigorous spirit'. These quotations explain the close
relationship between Blood and mental activities. Deficiency of Blood, therefore, may produce
mental disorders. An example is deficiency of Heart or Liver Blood which may result in mental
restlessness, with symptoms such as palpitation, insomnia and dream-
disturbed sleep.
Yes, blood in the view of traditional Chinese medicine is a little different from that in western medicine.
Personally I think the concept of Ying-nutrient Qi is quite unique in traditional Chinese medicine.
However, I could neither deny the similarity between the concepts of blood in western and traditional Chinese medicine, even the general vasculature system understood in traditional Chinese medicine.
In very far ancient time, Chinese medical practitioners did some anatomical work, having found some basic knowledge of the human anatomy.
It's also the basis for a part of the understanding for the anatomy and physiology in traditional Chinese medicine.
I think Dionisios tried hard to understand the essence of traditional Chinese medicine and I'm sure he'll be prominent in this field.
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