Blood Tonifying

Our blood is a carrier fluid that delivers vital nutrients, minerals, and gases to cells throughout the body. That is its first function in the body. It also serves as a primary means of carrying byproducts of our living metabolism and waste out of the cells, tissues, and organs so that we can discharge them from our body.

In its own right, blood is a viscous, flowing tissue. It is stunningly complex and sophisticated. It is highly regulated genetically, by the organs of the body and through its own self-regulatory functions. It is composed of dozens, if not hundreds, of different cell types, plus a vast array of refined nutrient components, minerals, life supporting chemicals, gases, messenger molecules and more. It also contains some toxins, foreign microbes and organic fragments that get past the filters of the body and pollute the blood, and eventually poison the cells and tissues of the body. 

In Asian health philosophy, blood is considered central to the Three Treasures system. The health of the blood itself is considered fundamental being fundamental to life. Our blood is part of our Qi system, as it carries vitality and nutrition to our tissues. Healthy blood results in glowing health, whereas unhealthy blood leads to disease and degeneration. The quality of our blood is to a large degree under our control, based upon how we breath, what and how we eat and drink, and as a reflection of our lifestyle. 

The health of our blood is discernable by those who know what to look for. It is reflected in our skin, tongue, hair, eyes, nails and menses, etc. The Asian Way of Life Cultivation emphasizes “nourishing (tonifying) the blood,” “moving the blood” and “purifying the blood.” Western health care mainly looks at what is inside your blood – its individual components. Asian healthcare is very interested in the health of the blood itself.

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Do you know how to nurture (tonify) your blood so that it is rich in everything it needs and your body needs?

If not, this is a section you should review carefully. Blood nourishing is also called blood tonification. So herbs and foods that nurture your blood are called “blood tonics.”

In this section, you will learn how to tonify your blood so that it is remarkably potent. In other sections of Health Issues A-Z, you will learn how to purify your blood when necessary, how to guaranty excellent blood circulation (“move the blood”) and how to help the body to clean your blood, thus helping it remain clean all the time. Asian herbalism has focused on these issues for thousands of years. Great tonic and cleansing herbs, herbal formulations and superfoods can dramatically benefit the blood itself, and aid in the tasks it performs for us every second of our lives.   

Nurturing Our Blood

The Chinese art of life cultivation places greatemphasis on nurturing our blood. That means feeding your blood itself, not only the other organs and tissues of the body. Rich, natural food nurtures your blood. Vegetables, herbs and wild plants. Those who choose to eat animal products should understand that certain components of the animal tissue feed our blood, but other components of most animal products can harm your blood. Chinese herbalism and diet offer hundreds of great blood nourishing teas and foods. Here are some of them.