Chinese Food Health gives you the basic approaches on how to nourish and preserve health in the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

First Twilight, then True Blood, The Vampire Diaries….  It seems that we simply are unable to satisfy the urge to welcome more and more of the blood-sucking immortals enter our world.

While hundreds of thousands of girls are obsessing with the bloodsuckers in a fantasy world, many of them suffer from anemia in reality.  In fact, up to 10% of people have anemia in the US alone, and the rates are even higher in other countries.  Due to regular menstrual bleeding, young women are twice as likely to have anemia than young men.

“In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is no such term of ‘anemia;’ it is called ‘blood deficiency’ instead and not very much identical,” TCM Practitioner said.  “TCM regards our heart to govern, liver to store, and spleen to unite the blood.  As a result, when we treat blood deficiency, patient’s heart, liver, and spleen are to be modulated all together.”

Generally, blood deficiency is classified as either chronic or acute.  It is not defined as a illness itself and may not be easy being identified by the sufferers.  Not sure if you have blood deficiency?  Read on the symptoms.

• Dim skin color; pale lips and nails
• Dizziness often occurs
• Repeatedly have had palpitations recently
• Poor sleep; frequent insomnia without cause or reason
• Have numb limbs every so often
• Light menstrual blood color and fewer in volume than usual

“If you find three or more symptoms from the list that match your condition, you likely have blood deficiency,” said TCM Practitioner.  “For women who have blood deficiency not only always feel tired, but also age faster and even have premature menopause.”

Therefore, blood enrichment becomes so important for women who want to keep in good health.  Below are some what you should do.  Relax, you can still be a fanatic of vampires.

Be Happy

“Many people aren’t aware that feeling unhappy actually can lead to blood loss,” TCM Practitioner said.  “It is because if you often in a sulk or lose temper, you will develop a stagnation of the liver-Qi that contributes to blood consumption.” Now you have one more good reason for developing a cheerful and optimistic attitude, and stay in a good mood.

Take Good Care Of Your Eyes

According to TCM, the blood of the liver specifically takes care of nourishing the eyes and tendons.  “If you overwork your eyes such as often staring at a computer screen for too long, your liver will be harmed and affects its function of storing blood and regulating the volume of blood in the whole body,” TCM Practitioner said.  “Make sure to take the time to look away from the screen every 10 minutes for just a few seconds, and rest your eyes by closing them for a minute every half hour or so.”

Eat Black Fungus

“Blood deficiency and high blood pressure absolutely can occur at the same time, especially for many middle-age women,” TCM Practitioner said.  “Luckily, there is a common and inexpensive food to combat both, and that is black fungus.”  According to TCM, black fungus is “neutral” in nature.  It can enrich blood and replenish “Qi” (essential energy), fight tired body and numb limbs.  On the other hand, it is able to lower blood viscosity and cholesterol, as well as to prevent arteriosclerosis.

Why not let this simple recipe—Stew Black Fungus Red Date (Dried Jujube) Soup—to do the dual duty for you?

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