Herbs Traditionally Used for Blood deficiency
The Donguibogam view
What the Donguibogam calls blood deficiency (hyeolheo) overlaps with modern anemia yet is broader: a face without color, dizziness, dim vision, pale nails, and lightening menstrual flow together painted the picture of a body short of blood. Its herbs divide into direct blood tonics and those supporting the digestive foundation that produces blood.
This page organizes herbs recorded in the Donguibogam's herbology volume for blood deficiency, with original citations. If dizziness, pallor, and breathlessness are pronounced, get a blood test first to confirm anemia and its cause — the right order before consulting traditional records.
Herbal reference is not appropriate in these situations — seek medical care first:
- Dizziness and pallor with breathlessness and palpitations (blood test first)
- Suspected bleeding source — black or bloody stools, heavy periods
- Rapidly progressing fatigue and pallor
- Anemia symptoms during pregnancy
Herbs recorded for this concern
Prepared Rehmannia Root熟地黃
Prepared rehmannia is the richest blood-nourishing root in Korean tradition, made by steaming and drying …
Recorded as greatly tonifying weakened blood and filling the marrow — the herb at the very center of blood deficiency.
Korean Angelica Root當歸
Danggwi is the foremost blood tonic of Korean tradition, central to formulas such as Samul-tang. Its name…
Recorded as nourishing new blood — moving what rehmannia fills, the essential partner in blood formulas.
Peony Root芍藥
Peony root partners danggwi at the heart of Samul-tang, the foundational blood-nourishing formula. Tradit…
Recorded as nourishing and restraining the blood — combined for pale, cramp-prone blood deficiency.
Frequently asked questions
Are blood deficiency and anemia the same?
They overlap but differ. Anemia is a modern diagnosis defined by blood counts; hyeolheo is a traditional pattern read from the body — pallor, dizziness, dim vision. One can show the pattern without the lab numbers, and true anemia always needs its cause treated first.
Can I take Samul-tang instead of iron supplements?
No. For iron-deficiency anemia, iron repletion and finding any bleeding source are the standard first steps. Traditional formulas belong afterward, under professional guidance, as constitutional care.
Are there foods that nourish the blood?
Medicinal dishes with jujube and danggwi were traditionally passed down as blood-supporting foods. Food is supportive only — clear anemia symptoms call for testing and treatment first.