Invigorate blood herbs

19 herbs in the Shen Study library belong to the Invigorate blood category.

Invigorate blood herbs are mostly bitter, and most enter the Liver channel.

Herb	Nature	Flavour	Channels	Main action
Dān Shēn Red sage root	Cool	Bitter	Heart, Pericardium, Liver	Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis
Chuān Xiōng Sichuan lovage	Warm	Acrid	Liver, Gallbladder, Pericardium	Invigorates Blood, promotes qi movement
Hóng Huā Safflower	Warm	Acrid	Heart, Liver	Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis
Táo Rén Peach kernel	Neutral	Bitter, Sweet	Heart, Liver, Lung, Large Intestine	Breaks up Blood stasis strongly
É Zhú Zedoary rhizome	Warm	Bitter, Acrid	Liver, Spleen	Breaks up Blood stasis, dissolves masses
Sān Léng Bur-reed rhizome	Neutral	Bitter	Liver, Spleen	Breaks up Blood stasis strongly, dissolves masses
Rǔ Xiāng Frankincense	Warm	Acrid, Bitter	Heart, Liver, Spleen	Invigorates Blood, moves qi, relieves pain
Mò Yào Myrrh	Neutral	Bitter	Heart, Liver, Spleen	Invigorates Blood, disperses stasis, relieves pain
Yán Hú Suǒ Corydalis rhizome	Warm	Acrid, Bitter	Heart, Liver, Spleen	Invigorates Blood, moves qi, relieves pain — one of the strongest analgesics in materia medica
Chuān Niú Xī Cyathula root	Neutral	Sweet, Slightly bitter	Liver, Kidney	Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis — strong
Huái Niú Xī Achyranthes root	Neutral	Bitter, Sour	Liver, Kidney	Tonifies Liver and Kidney, strengthens sinews and bones
Jiāng Huáng Turmeric rhizome	Warm	Acrid, Bitter	Spleen, Liver	Invigorates Blood, moves qi, relieves pain
Yù Jīn Turmeric tuber	Cold	Acrid, Bitter	Liver, Heart, Lung	Invigorates Blood, relieves pain
Zé Lán Bugleweed	Warm	Bitter, Acrid	Liver, Spleen	Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis — gynaecological focus
Yì Mǔ Cǎo Motherwort	Cool	Acrid, Bitter	Heart, Liver, Bladder	Invigorates Blood, regulates menses — primary gynaecological herb
Wáng Bù Liú Xíng Cowherb seed	Neutral	Bitter	Liver, Stomach	Invigorates Blood, promotes menstruation
Jī Xuè Téng Spatholobus stem	Warm	Bitter, Sweet	Liver, Kidney	Invigorates and tonifies Blood
Gǔ Suì Bǔ Drynaria rhizome	Warm	Bitter	Liver, Kidney	Heals injury, relieves pain — mends sinews and bones
Wǔ Líng Zhī Flying squirrel faeces	Warm	Bitter, Sweet	Liver	Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis and stops pain

Other herb categories

• Release exterior (Cold)
• Release exterior (Heat)
• Clear heat
• Drain downward
• Warm interior
• Regulate qi
• Resolve phlegm
• Tonify qi
• Tonify blood
• Tonify yin
• Tonify yang
• Calm shen
• Stabilise & bind
• Expel wind-damp
• Aromatic, transform damp
• Drain damp
• Stop bleeding
• Relieve food stagnation
• Expel parasites
• Anchor Yang / extinguish Wind
• Open orifices
• Topical use