Many people, when they feel they have blood stasis or pain all over, immediately think of taking blood-activating herbs. But traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes "tracing the root cause" – behind blood stasis often lies qi "traffic jam."

The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon states "Qi is the leader of blood"—just as water in a river depends on upstream flow to move, blood circulation also relies on qi to push it. If qi flow gets blocked (such as from constant suppressed anger or stress), blood becomes stuck like a truck stuck in the middle of the road. Over time, it turns into "blood stasis packets." You might have seen these common manifestations in people: sallow faces like they're covered in dust, lips so dark they look like they're painted with expired lipstick, cold hands and feet that always tingle, especially noticeable when it's cold or their mood is bad.

Why is activating blood circulation ineffective?

Because at this point, the body's issue is a combination of "qi stagnation + yang deficiency." Prolonged qi stagnation will deplete yang qi (just like an engine overheats when idling for too long), and insufficient yang qi cannot push blood, making the stagnation increasingly stubborn. At this stage, using blood-activating herbs alone is like sending more trucks to a congested road, but without clearing the upstream flow, it will only become more congested.

The adjustment approach of experienced TCM practitioners: first unblock qi, then activate blood

The truly effective method is "promoting qi and unblocking yang," allowing qi to move first, and blood will naturally follow. Clinically, Chai Hu Shu Gan San is often used as the basic formula, but it is adjusted according to the constitution:

Chai Hu + Bai Shao: One acts like a bulldozer (promoting liver qi flow), the other like a cushion (soothing the liver and alleviating pain), specifically for those who suffer from "liver pain from anger"

Xiang Fu + Zhi Ke: This combination is the "qi flow unblocking worker," capable of dispersing stagnant qi clumps, especially suitable for those who frequently sigh and feel chest tightness

Chuan Xiong: Both a "qi herb" and a "blood herb," it can carry qi and blood together, like dispatching a traffic director to a congested road

Chen Pi: Finally, add some Chen Pi to regulate qi and strengthen the spleen, preventing the spleen and stomach from lagging behind after qi flow is unblocked (after all, "the spleen governs transportation and transformation," a healthy spleen and stomach provide more power for qi)

Real Cases

There was a middle-aged female patient in her 40s who always complained of her back feeling as if weighted by a stone plate, and severe breast tenderness before her menstrual period. Upon examining her, I noticed white greasy tongue and wiry, tense pulse, which clearly indicated "liver qi stagnation + yang deficiency." I prescribed modified Chai Hu Shu Gan San (with added cinnamon twigs to warm yang), and two weeks later, she reported: "Now my back feels light, my hands and feet are no longer cold, and even my period is regular!"

Daily Wellness Tips

When feeling emotionally stuck: massage the Taichong acupoint (between the first and second metatarsal bones on the foot), as if "releasing the brake" on the liver channel.

When hands and feet are cold: Boil mugwort in water and soak feet, rubbing the soles of the feet while soaking to warm the yang and promote qi flow

Dietary notes: Eat less cold and raw foods (like cold drinks, crabs), and consume more dried tangerine peel and hawthorn tea to help the qi mechanism "get moving"

Remember: The "qi" in the body is like the WiFi signal at home. When the signal is strong, blood can flow smoothly. To regulate blood stasis, start by letting the qi "move"!