Blood Deficiency

The quality of our Blood is a measure of the available nourishment circulating in our body. Blood nourishes our muscles, organs, brain, every part of us. Its quality depends on the quality of food we eat and our ability to absorb nourishment. In other words it depends on the strength of our Spleen.

As well as being the source of nourishment for bodily activity, the Blood is also said to house the Mind, to provide the physical root of our consciousness. Body and Mind are integrated in the Blood. The Blood enables our thoughts and emotions to be grounded in the body. Its quality helps keep body and mind together.

When our Blood is strong we tend to feel vigorous, well-nourished and full-bloodedly alive. When our Blood is weak, we may feel under-nourished and not fully in touch with who we are. We may experience separation, as if our Mind floats, loosening its anchor. At night the Mind may float so much that we cannot sleep.

Our ability to produce Blood is strengthened by maintaining a balance between rest and physical activity. Physical activity strengthens the Spleen's ability to convert food into Blood and helps the Heart circulate it around the body. Rest, especially in the early afternoon, enables the Liver to renew the Blood during the day.

Supporting our Blood through Food

Blood is very easily improved through diet. A diet rich in fresh vegetables is essential. In particular, dark green leafy vegetables and chlorophyll-rich foods are helpful, especially when combined with grains.

Most meat, beans and several seafoods will also strengthen the Blood. In severe cases of Blood depletion, animal organs may be helpful.

As all food forms the basis of Blood, we may simply say eat well and widely. The overuse of fatty foods, denatured foods and sweetened or salted foods will tend to weaken the Blood. Foods which especially tonify Blood are listed below.