Definition:
Blood deficiency is an imbalance where the blood is low on nutrients and/or the liver is not able to generate enough blood. In western terms, this correlates to anemia, although there are early detection signs before a person is actually advanced to the stage of anemia.
Blood deficiency occurs when someone is not taking in enough food or the food does not have enough nutrients in it.
It also may happen because the body is not properly able to digest and extract the nutrients from the food.
Blood deficiency is an imbalance where the blood is low on nutrients and/or the liver is not able to generate enough blood. In western terms, this correlates to anemia, although there are early detection signs before a person is actually advanced to the stage of anemia.
Blood deficiency occurs when someone is not taking in enough food or the food does not have enough nutrients in it.
It also may happen because the body is not properly able to digest and extract the nutrients from the food.
Indicators/Body Signs:
-Light-colored menses
-Energy drop during or after period
-Headaches
-Absent periods
-Scanty periods
-Heavy periods
-Anovulation
-Difficulty conceiving
-Low breastmilk
-Light-colored menses
-Energy drop during or after period
-Headaches
-Absent periods
-Scanty periods
-Heavy periods
-Anovulation
-Difficulty conceiving
-Low breastmilk
Triggers (Aggravating Factors):
-Irregular Eating Habits
-Poor Diet
-Limited calorie intake (dieting)
-Poor Digestion
-Heavy Periods
-Vegan/Vegetarian Diet
-Sadness
-Blood Stagnation
-Lack of recuperation after childbirth and during breastfeeding
-Irregular Eating Habits
-Poor Diet
-Limited calorie intake (dieting)
-Poor Digestion
-Heavy Periods
-Vegan/Vegetarian Diet
-Sadness
-Blood Stagnation
-Lack of recuperation after childbirth and during breastfeeding
Related Emotions:
Sadness
Sadness
Medical Diagnosis and Treatment:
In western medicine Blood Deficiency correlates to anemia though Blood Deficiency can be detected much earlier.
Medical treatment involves iron pills, monitoring and blood transfusions.
In western medicine Blood Deficiency correlates to anemia though Blood Deficiency can be detected much earlier.
Medical treatment involves iron pills, monitoring and blood transfusions.
TCM:
The concept of Blood Deficiency here relates to both Blood Deficiency and Yin Deficiency in TCM.
The concept of Blood Deficiency here relates to both Blood Deficiency and Yin Deficiency in TCM.
Associated Risks:
Anemia, Headaches, Fatigue, Depression, Hormonal Imbalance.
May cause periods and ovulation to stop causing fertility problems. The body will not want to conceive because it can’t support the extra blood production required for pregnancy.
The same is true for breastmilk production. The body does not produce milk because it does not have enough nutrients so it preserves what it has.
Anemia, Headaches, Fatigue, Depression, Hormonal Imbalance.
May cause periods and ovulation to stop causing fertility problems. The body will not want to conceive because it can’t support the extra blood production required for pregnancy.
The same is true for breastmilk production. The body does not produce milk because it does not have enough nutrients so it preserves what it has.
Health Topics/Concerns:
-Unexplained Infertility / Difficulty Conceiving
-Absent Period
-Late Menarche
-Late Postpartum Menstrual Return
-Long Menstrual Cycles
-Anemia
-Low Breast Milk
-Depression
-Unexplained Infertility / Difficulty Conceiving
-Absent Period
-Late Menarche
-Late Postpartum Menstrual Return
-Long Menstrual Cycles
-Anemia
-Low Breast Milk
-Depression
Treatment Principles:
Provide the necessary nutrients and fluids to the blood. Nourishing the kidneys, liver and internal fluids. The most important time for treatment is during Menstrual Cycle Days 1-12 (during the period and the week after).
Provide the necessary nutrients and fluids to the blood. Nourishing the kidneys, liver and internal fluids. The most important time for treatment is during Menstrual Cycle Days 1-12 (during the period and the week after).
Steam Advice:
STEAM RESPONSIVENESS
Moderate. Needs to be coupled with additional practices to be all the way successful.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Steam can be helpful by helping improve circulation to the blood system which may be an important factor in increasing the bodies ability to disperse nutrients.
Steaming with herbs that have blood tonic properties may also enhance the effect of a session.
It’s also possible that steaming and/or doing an herbal soak with blood tonic herbs may be helpful if weak digestion is a factor preventing the blood from receiving nutrients.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Here are some of the observations that people report after steaming although these are not always the case.
A difference in the menses color (from orange/pink to a more red color).
A decrease in some of the side effects of blood deficiency (like headaches) .
An increase in the period length (from only one day to two, for example).
STEAM PRACTITIONER RECOMMENDATION
It is helpful to work with a practitioner to find out the right steam setup, duration and herbs. A Steam Facilitator can help with this.
Other than that it is not necessary to work directly with a Steam Therapist (Peristeam Hydrotherapist) for a personalized steam schedule for blood deficiency (if that is the only imbalance), because steam is not the primary therapy needed to resolve blood deficiency. Steaming weekly is sufficient. The main focus should be on acupuncture and the additional recommendations.
The exception here is if someone has a missing period or is trying to conceive. In these situations a consultation with a Steam Therapist (Peristeam Hydrotherapist) would be absolutely necessary to get the desired results.
DEDICATION TIME
Weekly steaming should become an ongoing self-care practice.
STEAM RESPONSIVENESS
Moderate. Needs to be coupled with additional practices to be all the way successful.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Steam can be helpful by helping improve circulation to the blood system which may be an important factor in increasing the bodies ability to disperse nutrients.
Steaming with herbs that have blood tonic properties may also enhance the effect of a session.
It’s also possible that steaming and/or doing an herbal soak with blood tonic herbs may be helpful if weak digestion is a factor preventing the blood from receiving nutrients.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
Here are some of the observations that people report after steaming although these are not always the case.
A difference in the menses color (from orange/pink to a more red color).
A decrease in some of the side effects of blood deficiency (like headaches) .
An increase in the period length (from only one day to two, for example).
STEAM PRACTITIONER RECOMMENDATION
It is helpful to work with a practitioner to find out the right steam setup, duration and herbs. A Steam Facilitator can help with this.
Other than that it is not necessary to work directly with a Steam Therapist (Peristeam Hydrotherapist) for a personalized steam schedule for blood deficiency (if that is the only imbalance), because steam is not the primary therapy needed to resolve blood deficiency. Steaming weekly is sufficient. The main focus should be on acupuncture and the additional recommendations.
The exception here is if someone has a missing period or is trying to conceive. In these situations a consultation with a Steam Therapist (Peristeam Hydrotherapist) would be absolutely necessary to get the desired results.
DEDICATION TIME
Weekly steaming should become an ongoing self-care practice.
Helpful Practices:
-Womb Cleanse Care Guidelines (rest, no plugs, warmth, nourishment, no inversions)
-Focus on Joy and Laughter
-10pm Bedtime. Between 11pm to 3am the liver works to clean and generate blood. If you are awake at this time, it is more difficult for the liver to perform these functions
-Womb Cleanse Care Guidelines (rest, no plugs, warmth, nourishment, no inversions)
-Focus on Joy and Laughter
-10pm Bedtime. Between 11pm to 3am the liver works to clean and generate blood. If you are awake at this time, it is more difficult for the liver to perform these functions
Food Therapy:
BLOOD DEFICIENCY FOOD THERAPY GUIDELINES
-Blood tonic herbal formulas
-focus on digestion and absorption
-protein/iron/B vitamins/vitamin C
Eat last meal by 6pm or earlier allowing digestion a chance to rest at night, which frees up the liver for cleaning and generating blood.
BLOOD DEFICIENCY FOOD THERAPY GUIDELINES
-Blood tonic herbal formulas
-focus on digestion and absorption
-protein/iron/B vitamins/vitamin C
Eat last meal by 6pm or earlier allowing digestion a chance to rest at night, which frees up the liver for cleaning and generating blood.
Referrals:
STEAM FACILITATOR (Peristeam Facilitator)
Weekly steaming with a Peristeam Facilitator is a great way to support blood circulation which may be helpful for an increase in blood production.
STEAM THERAPIST (Peristeam Hydrotherapist)
If dealing with missing periods or long cycles (which often result in hormonal imbalances) consult a Peristeam Hydrotherpaist for a steam plan that may help to regularize the cycle.
ACUPUNCTURIST
Acupuncture is a necessary primary mode for naturally trying to correct the Blood Deficiency imbalance. Needling may help the body generate more blood while internal herbs help to nourish the depleted blood.
More importantly, acupuncture targets the organs at the root of blood production – the liver and heart and also help to improve the digestion for maximum nutrient extraction.
NUTRITIONIST/TRADITIONAL NATUROPATH/HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH
Might be instrumental with creating a nutrition and meal plan.
STEAM FACILITATOR (Peristeam Facilitator)
Weekly steaming with a Peristeam Facilitator is a great way to support blood circulation which may be helpful for an increase in blood production.
STEAM THERAPIST (Peristeam Hydrotherapist)
If dealing with missing periods or long cycles (which often result in hormonal imbalances) consult a Peristeam Hydrotherpaist for a steam plan that may help to regularize the cycle.
ACUPUNCTURIST
Acupuncture is a necessary primary mode for naturally trying to correct the Blood Deficiency imbalance. Needling may help the body generate more blood while internal herbs help to nourish the depleted blood.
More importantly, acupuncture targets the organs at the root of blood production – the liver and heart and also help to improve the digestion for maximum nutrient extraction.
NUTRITIONIST/TRADITIONAL NATUROPATH/HOLISTIC HEALTH COACH
Might be instrumental with creating a nutrition and meal plan.
