Chinese Herbs for Blood and Circulatory Health
Blood is one of the central concepts in Chinese herbal medicine, and the tradition asks two questions about it: is there enough, and is it moving? Those are separate problems with separate herbs. This collection holds more than 30 teas, formulas, tinctures and herbs covering both, plus the herbs traditionally used to support healthy cholesterol already within a normal range.
Nourishing Versus Moving
- Blood deficiency — not enough. Associated with pallor, tired eyes and dizziness on standing. Herbs: goji berry, red dates, longan, angelica sinensis.
- Blood stasis — not moving. Associated with fixed aching and cold hands and feet. Herbs: red sage (Dan Shen), Sichuan lovage, hawthorn.
- Rising yang — associated with head pressure and tension. Formula: Gastrodia & Uncaria (Tian Ma Gou Teng Tang).
What's In This Collection
- Blood-nourishing — Goji Berries & Red Dates "Blood Revitalizer" tea, longan fruit, hibiscus flower.
- Blood-moving — Red Sage / Salvia (Dan Shen Tang), hawthorn berry (Shan Zha Tang), Shan Zha Jiang Zhi Pian.
- Metabolic support — Cholesterol Support Tablets, gynostemma / jiaogulan, red clover, 5 Defenders Organic Mushrooms.
- Topical circulation — Po Sum On medicated oil, Shu Jin Lu Easy Flex spray.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dan Shen used for?
Red sage root (Salvia miltiorrhiza, or Dan Shen) is the herb most associated with moving blood in Chinese medicine, and one of the most studied. It is also the herb in this collection with the most significant interaction profile — it should not be combined with warfarin or other anticoagulants without medical supervision.
Which herbs are traditionally used for cholesterol?
Hawthorn berry (Shan Zha) and gynostemma (Jiao Gu Lan) are the two most commonly used, and both appear here. These are traditionally used to support levels already within a healthy range — they are not a substitute for statins or for medical management of high cholesterol.
Can I take these with blood thinners?
Many blood-moving herbs, including Dan Shen, hawthorn and Chuan Xiong, affect clotting. If you take warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel or any anticoagulant, do not start these without talking to your physician. This is the single most important caution in this collection.
How do I know whether I need nourishing or moving herbs?
As a rough guide, deficiency presents as tiredness, pallor and lightheadedness; stasis presents as fixed, localised aching and cold extremities. Many people have some of both. Ask our team or see a practitioner rather than guessing.
When should I see a doctor?
Chest pain, shortness of breath, sudden numbness or weakness, or swelling in one leg require immediate medical attention, not herbs. High blood pressure and high cholesterol need monitoring and medical management — herbs may have a supporting role, but not a replacing one.
Why Shop root + spring
Our formulas are developed by a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist, sourced directly from established suppliers, and lab tested for heavy metals, pesticides and sulfur. Orders over $99 ship free within the United States.
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