Astringe
To astringe is the third treatment aim in bleeding. Astringent herbs are used as adjuvant to the
stopping-bleeding herbs. As they astringe, absorb and retain fluids, they obviously help to stop
bleeding.
The main herbs used in this context are Shan Zhu Yu Fructus Corni officinalis, Wu Wei Zi
Fructus Schisandrae chinensis, Bai Shao Radix Paeoniae albae, Wu Zei Gu Os Sepiae, Lian Zi
Semen Nelumbinis nuciferae and Chi Shi Zhi Halloysitum rubrum.
Three of the stopping-bleeding herbs are also astringent. These are Di Yu Radix Sanguisorbae
officinalis, Ce Bai Ye Cacumen Biotae orientalis and Ou Jie Nodus Nelumbinis nuciferae
rhizomatis.
Treat Qi
"Treating Qi" consists in two separate aims of treatment:
(a) Tonify and firm Qi for bleeding from Qi deficiency. The main herbs are Huang Qi
Radix Astragali membranacei, Ren Shen Radix Ginseng, Fu Zi Radix Aconiti
carmichaeli praeparata (if there is deficiency of Yang), Long Gu Os Draconis,
Mu Li Concha Ostreae and Zhi Gan Cao Radix Glycyrrhizae uralensis
praeparata. Included in this aim of treatment is also raising Qi for bleeding
downwards from sinking of Spleen-Qi. The two herbs that do this are Chai Hu
Radix Bupleuri and Sheng Ma Rhizoma Cimicifugae.(b) Subdue rebellious Qi for bleeding from Qi rebelling upwards. The main herb is
Niu Xi Radix Achyranthis bidentatae seu Cyathulae which attracts Blood
downwards.Notes on Herbal Treatment
If the above four aims of treatment are followed (including the four steps within the first aim),
any formula can be adapted to treat bleeding from any part of the body. From looking at these
principles of treatment it may seem that one needs to use very many herbs but this is not the case
as some herbs have more than one of the above functions. For example, Bai Shao calms Blood
(third step of first aim of treatment) and astringes (third aim of treatment). Sheng Di Huang has
three of the above functions: it cools Blood and stops bleeding (second aim of treatment), calms
Blood (third step of the first aim of treatment) and nourishes Blood (fourth step of the first aim
of treatment). Qian Cao Gen stops bleeding (first step of the first aim of treatment), moves Blood
(second step of the first aim of treatment) and cools Blood (second aim of treatment).