What is Blood Deficiency and How Can We Tonify Our Blood?

Contributor: Dr. Hilda Gonzalez

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) there are several vital substances, these include: blood, qi, jing and body fluids. These are all important for creating a life of vitality and good health. Today we will be focusing on “blood.” 

One of the ways blood is made in the body is from what is referred to as gu qi AKA food. The foods we eat can either nourish and support our everyday activities or they can lead to deficiencies and put us at risk for many chronic illnesses. 

In TCM we refer to blood deficiency specifically when part of the body, a particular organ or the entire body is not being sufficiently nourished by the blood. This is not the same as the western diagnosis of anemia, which is a deficiency of red blood cells in the blood. Blood deficiency is a lack of blood itself and the signs and symptoms can be present far before a CBC can show an anemic diagnosis . 

Signs of blood deficiency: 

  • Pale and dull skin, particularly in the face

  • Dry and pale lips

  • Dizziness 

  • Constant tight muscles without a direct cause 

  • Muscle spasms

  • Tingling, numbness or cold extremities

  • Restlessness 

  • Dry skin 

  • Poor memory 

  • Insomnia 

  • Vivid dreams or nightmares 

  • Dry eyes, blurred vision or floaters 

  • Dry or brittle nails

  • Dry hair or unusual hair loss 

  • Premature graying hair 

  • Amenorrhea or lighter and shorter periods 

  • Mild anxiety 

  • Poor appetite

  • Weakness of limbs 

  • Fatigue 

  • Slow wound healing

  • Lowback pain 

  • Anemia 


The primary way to support blood is through our food. If the food source is red or dark in color, chances are it tonifies the blood. Despite misconceptions, good sources of iron don’t just come from animal foods, these can be found among a variety of plant foods as well

Foods for Tonifying the blood: 

  • Dark leafy greens & cruciferous vegetables: red chard, kale, spinach, bokchoy, collard greens, arugula, watercress, romaine lettuce, red cabbage, broccoli

  • Dates 

  • Apricots

  • Red beets

  • Dark grapes 

  • Blackberries 

  • Raspberries 

  • Blackstrap molasses 

  • Legumes especially black and kidney beans 

  • Pomegranates 

  • Cherries 

  • Whole Grains

  • Root vegetables

  • Shiitake mushrooms 

  • Avocado 

  • Red radish

Other ways to tonify blood: 

-Herbs- herbs are incredible phytonutrient rich foods filled with antioxidants and medicinal properties. There are many herbal formulas that have been used for centuries specifically designed for addressing blood deficiency. These should be prescribed by your acupuncturist as they would know the appropriate dosage and underlying root cause they want to address. 

-Sleep- Yes, I know, getting enough sleep is difficult but it is extremely important. I used to have a teacher who would tell me, “It doesn’t matter what your patient came in for, if they are not sleeping, that is what you focus on.” When we sleep our bodies are able to focus on restoring, so when we don’t sleep we put chronic stress on our bodies and we are always functioning from a deficient place. Try to get to bed by 10pm and get 7-8hours of uninterrupted sleep. 

 So fill your life with color, prioritizing wholefoods, eat mindfully with regularity, take the time to eat without distractions and have fun in your kitchen! 

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