Nourishing Your Skin with Blood-Building Foods: A TCM Approach
When it comes to healthy, beautiful aging, the quality and quantity of your blood is really important.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the concept of blood encompasses more than just its Western medical definition. Blood is not merely about iron quantity (ie: anemia), but also about how the blood moistens and nourishes the body. The blood also houses the spirit, and when there’s blood deficiency, there can be issues like racing thoughts and insomnia.
Adequate blood flow and quality are essential for healthy, glowing skin and emotional well-being.
Understanding Blood and Skin Health
In my practice, I prioritize assessing the state of your blood. Psoriasis and eczema often present TCM diagnoses related to “heat in the blood.”
When examining your condition, I often ask the following questions:
Do you have enough blood? If not, why is that so? Do you have a history of anemia?
Is your blood circulating efficiently?
If you’re menstruating, what does your cycle indicate about your blood?
Is there any indication of "heat in the blood," often associated with skin rashes?
In many cases, skin problems stem from issues related to blood circulation rather than outright blood deficiency. That said, I’ve definitely seen cases of psoriasis and eczema stemming from blood deficiency, and treatment has involved nourishing the blood through herbal formulas and food.
During the end stages of treating skin issues, I frequently recommend nourishing the blood to achieve optimal skin health and prevent skin issues from recurring.
Blood and Beautiful Aging
For clients interested in beautiful aging, paying attention to blood is crucial for nourishing the skin and ensuring a graceful aging process. Over years of menstrual cycles, blood can become depleted, and leads to dry skin, dull eyes, and a pale complexion. Poor digestive function can also inhibit blood production.
Healthy blood leads to plumper skin and fewer wrinkles forming. Harmonized blood and good circulation also leads to improvements in puffiness, tension, and uniform skin tone and texture.
One of the reasons facial acupuncture is so wonderful is that it directly affects the blood flow to the face, improving and harmonizing circulation. Supporting the blood through diet is also really important for ensuring healthy aging.
Recommended Blood-Nourishing Foods
Ensuring abundant blood relies heavily on a robust digestive system. Therefore, foods aimed at nourishing blood often overlap with those that support digestion. Common blood-nourishing foods also include iron-rich foods.
Here's a list of foods that I commonly suggest to my clients for nourishing their blood:
Grains: Barley, corn, oats, rice, sweet rice, wheat, bran, millet
Vegetables: Kale, alfalfa sprouts, artichokes, beets, mushrooms, cabbage, celery, dandelion leaf, dark leafy greens, kelp, spinach, watercress, wheatgrass
Fruits: Apple, apricot, avocado, date, fig, grape, longan, mulberry, goji berries
Beans: Adzuki beans, black soybeans, kidney beans
Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, black sesame seeds
Fish: Mussels, oysters, sardines, tuna
Meat: Red meat, especially bone marrow and liver (beef, pork, sheep), bone broth
Eggs
Herbs: Nettles, parsley
Condiments: Molasses
Beverages: Soy milk, almond milk
Generally speaking, cooked, warm foods are easier on the digestive system.
Incorporating these foods into your diet daily can contribute significantly to nourishing your blood and improving your skin health. Remember, in TCM, holistic approaches like dietary adjustments play a vital role in achieving overall wellness.
Favorite blood building recipes include:
Rice porridge with almond milk and dried apricots
Dark leafy green salads with grated beets, sprouts, and avocado
Scrambled eggs with spinach and parsley
Beet borscht with bone broth, beets, cabbage, and a small amount of red meat
Dried apricots, dried figs, and almonds for a snack
Sardine Pasta with Fennel and Parsley
Chicken liver pate on toast or this Chopped Liver recipe
Nettle Tea
Black sesame latte with almond milk
Conclusion
As always, these recommendations are for educational purposes only. The strength of TCM lies in treating each person individually.
If you’re in San Francisco, free to reach out if you have any questions or need personalized advice on supporting your blood for healthier skin. You can book a free 20 minute consultation here.
For people outside the Bay Area, you can located a qualified TCM dermatologist here.
Resources
These dietary recommendations are adapted from Debra Betts’s article on Blood Deficiency, the Blood Deficiency sections in Healing with Whole Foods, as well as my TCM and Western nutrition classes and clinical experience.
“Debra Betts - Acupuncture and Acupressure for Pregnancy and Childbirth.” Acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz, acupuncture.rhizome.net.nz/acupuncture/dietary-therapy/blood-deficiency/.
Pitchford, Paul. Healing with Whole Foods : Asian Traditions and Modern Nutrition. 3rd ed., Berkeley, Calif. North Atlantic Books, 2009.
This blog contains educational information about health. The information in this blog and website are not intended as medical advice, and should not be construed as such. The information in this blog is not the substitute for medical advice from a qualified, licensed medical professional. If you are experiencing a health problem, seek out care from a qualified, licensed medical care provider. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, seek out professional medical care immediately.