Today, let's talk about a classic formula left by our Sage of Medicine, Zhang Zhongjing — the Baked Licorice Decoction. When many people mention blood-tonifying formulas, the first one that comes to mind is the Four-Substance Decoction, as it's widely recognized as the premier formula for tonifying blood. But in fact, the Baked Licorice Decoction is also quite potent in this regard. It's fair to call it the highest realm of blood-tonifying formulas, it's just that many people don't associate it with blood tonification.

Let's first talk about why clearing heat is essential before tonifying blood. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, blood belongs to Yin. If Yin blood is deficient, Yang Qi becomes relatively excessive, and a person will develop deficient heat. This deficient heat can cause heat in the palms and soles, severe enough to cause itchy skin, internal irritability, and frequent dreams during sleep. It's like having too little water in a pot with a strong fire. If you don't quickly put out the fire or turn it down, the water in the pot will soon boil dry. Therefore, when tonifying blood, you must first clear heat and cool the blood. This is a fundamental principle in TCM treatment.

Now let's look at the herbs in the Zhigancao Decoction formula. It contains Maidong (Ophiopogon japonicus) and Shengdi (raw Rehmannia root). Why are these two herbs used? It's because they can nourish yin, clear heat, and reduce the deficiency fire in the body.

In addition to these two, there are also Renshen (ginseng), Ejiao (donkey-hide gelatin), Shengjiang (fresh ginger), Zhigancao (honey-fried licorice root), and Dazao (jujube). These herbs mainly strengthen and tonify the spleen. As we all know, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spleen is responsible for transportation and transformation and is the source of qi and blood production. The spleen digests and absorbs food, producing various refined nutritious substances, but these substances are not yet blood. These refined nutrients need to undergo further processing by the middle jiao spleen and stomach and, under the action of heart yang, transform into a red color before becoming blood.

Here, the herb Guizhi (cinnamon twig) is particularly crucial. Guizhi can warm and unblock heart yang, aiding in the production of qi and blood. If you are constantly blood deficient and nothing you eat seems to help, you should consider whether heart yang is insufficient. Heart yang is like a small stove; if the firepower is inadequate, qi and blood cannot be produced. In this case, Zhigancao Decoction comes into play—it can warm and unblock heart yang, helping the body produce qi and blood.

So, if you usually have a good appetite and can eat and drink well but still feel blood deficient, often experiencing dizziness, pale complexion, and such, you might consider trying Zhigancao Decoction to regulate your body. However, the specific use of this formula should be based on individual constitution and condition, and it is best to use it under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner.