Blood Stagnation

Blood Stagnation is a cause of infertility that stems from a combination of Spleen Chi Deficiency and Liver Stagnation. This stagnation has been accumulating for so long that a thorough approach is needed to get your blood flowing properly again so you can have a baby. 

This is what’s going on in your body if you have Blood Stagnation:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Blood Stagnation happens when there is a lack of circulation and the blood can't deliver necessary nutrients where they need to go. There are really two things happening here; the blood isn’t dense enough and it’s stuck. Blood Stagnation can be caused by trauma, physical pain, and from taking care of everyone else before yourself. Whether it's emotional or physical, your body needs help moving through the pain. We need to get some warmth, nourishment, and movement in your life ASAP!

If you have Blood Stagnation, you most likely:

  • Experience heavy periods with lots of clotting

  • Experience painful periods with sharp, stabbing menstrual cramps

  • Have dark period blood or blood with a purple hue

  • See dark, distended sublingual veins on your tongue

  • Experience body pains that feel worse when pressure is applied

  • Have dark circles or bags under your eyes 

  • Get bruises easily and are prone to varicose veins

  • Have a purple hue to your complexion, nails, or lips

  • Have an overall feeling of inflammation and stagnation due to a decreased oxygen supply

The most important thing you can do if you have Blood Stagnation is to get things flowing in your body. It’s critical that you get a little exercise and movement in your life everyday.

Anything you can do to add heat and movement to your body is a win. All Blood Stagnation benefits from physical activity, but there are easier, more passive ways to get unstuck. Castor oil packs, epsom salt baths, sweating, saunas, and massages get things moving in the body and nourish your reproductive organs. Blood Stagnation has been accumulating for so long that it needs to clear out slowly, consistency is the name of this game. 

How did your Blood Stagnation happen and what do you do to reverse it?

Causes of Blood Stagnation:

  • Poor circulation, lack of body movement, and not sweating often enough

  • Eating foods that lack warmth, are too cold, and don’t nourish you blood

  • Multitasking, being constantly stressed, not processing emotions, and depleting your chi

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Blood Stagnation refers to impaired circulation and has a profound effect on your fertility. In addition to reducing foods that cause blood stasis and including more foods that move the blood, it’s important to establish regular eating times, eat only moderate amounts of food at each meal, and chew each bite thoroughly. Eating a variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables is especially important for someone with Blood Stagnation.

Foods to add into your diet:

  • Fragrant, pungent herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric, peppermint, coriander, shallots, leeks, chives, basil, oregano, nutmeg, rosemary, and pepper

  • Warm and nourishing seasonal vegetables like taro root, eggplant, and boiled sweet potatoes

  • Mushrooms, chestnuts, kidney beans, adzuki beans, and hawthorne berries

  • Apple cider vinegar and jujube vinegar

  • Mussels, clams, kelp, and seaweed

Foods to avoid:

  • Cold foods like salads, raw vegetables, smoothies, sprouts, and fruit

  • Excess amounts of tofu, processed foods, and soy products

  • Pasteurized dairy and ice cream

  • Chocolate, refined sugar, and desserts

  • High fat nut butters and cooking oils

We’re going to nourish you back to optimal health, but this isn’t a quick fix. You won’t feel better overnight, but with diligence and consistency your Blood Stagnation can be reversed in as little as 6 months.