Understanding Blood Deficiency in Chinese Medicine and its Impact on Fertility | Zoe Rankin
If you're struggling with fertility and feeling stressed out, blood deficiency may be a factor.
You may or may not have heard of blood deficiency, but do you know how it works? Chinese medicine provides an effective way of understanding blood deficiency and its impact on fertility. Let’s explore further.
Understanding Blood Deficiency in Chinese Medicine
In Chinese medicine, blood is seen as the energy that feeds your organs and tissues. It nourishes them so they can function optimally. When there is an imbalance in your body and your blood supply isn’t sufficient, then this is known as ‘blood deficiency’.
It can sometimes also be linked into iron deficiency, or more closely ferritin deficiency, where optimal levels are be between 70-150 ng/L.
This can manifest itself in many different ways, depending on which organs are affected by the deficiency. Some symptoms include:
fatigue
dizziness
poor circulation
insomnia
headaches
paleness or sallow complexion
dry skin
hair loss
light period
The Impact of Blood Deficiency on Fertility
Blood is necessary for many processes in the body, and especially in the reproductive system. The female body is a fascinating thing - every month, the uterine lining grows to prepare for possible pregnancy. If no baby comes along, it's shed in place of our monthly period and then resets itself ready for another opportunity next cycle! In Chinese medicine, sometimes, the amount of blood your body is prepared to give in a period is a sign of how deficient you may be.
For example, a light bleed of one to two days or even just spotting for a period can be a sign of blood deficiency. But in some cases, a really heavy flow can also be an indication of a blood deficiency so please chat to me for individualised information.
How Can You Help Balance Blood Deficiency
Chinese medicine has a range of herbs and formulae that are specifically designed to help support the blood, however, you need a consult before starting herbs to make sure the balance is right for your body and diagnosis!
Exercise! If you are fatigued after exercise, then opting for a gentle Qi Gong or Tai Chi will be helpful to build up and weight training to increase muscle mass can also help to store more blood!
Diet: Blood building foods include:
all red meats and bone marrow
rice
dark leafy greens, mushrooms
beetroot
spinach
artichoke
dates
figs
kidney and black beans
parsley
black molasses
black sesame seeds
If you find that you have been craving some of the foods above, then this may be a sign your body is in need of a little more blood.
Blood deficiency can have a significant impact on your fertility and overall health. It is important to understand the underlying cause of blood deficiency, as well as ways you can help balance it naturally. I use both Chinese medicine and Western medicine test results to dive deep into what’s really going on for you. Offering herbs, formulae and diet changes that are tailored for individual needs.
If you're looking for support in understanding or addressing any issues related to blood deficiency or fertility, please don't hesitate to reach out - I'm here to help.
