Your Helpful Guide to Blood Moving Herbs

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Blood that is stagnant can be moved with the aid of herbs. This means that herbs can help improve blood circulation (increase circulation) and this post is dedicated to these particular herbs.

I have made a lotion for knee pain that used some of these herbs by the way, have a look here (you need to know a little about formulating with emulsions to be able to make this lotion).

Difference Between Herbs for Improving Blood Flow and Herbs for Inducing a Late Period

I learned through Rosalee La Foret that the term ‘blood movers’ are more of a traditional Chinese medicine term while Emnenagogues or herbs that bring on delayed menses is more of a Western herbalism term.

Blood stagnation is a concept that spans both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Western herbalism. When we talk about “moving blood,” we’re referring to herbs that can help improve circulation and address various conditions where blood flow may be impaired or congested.

Signs of blood stagnation

When we talk about blood stagnation we are trying to cover bruises, sprains and strains, stagnation, clots, delayed menses, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, etc. Then there’s swelling and fixed or sharp pain.

• Physical manifestations:
  • Bruises and contusions
  • Sprains and strains
  • Varicose veins
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Menstrual clots
  • Fixed, stabbing, or sharp pain
  • Local swelling
  • Dark or purple discoloration
  • Cold extremities

Beware if you’re pregnant, use prescription blood thinners, take medicine for your heart, or if you’re bleeding.

Understanding “blood movement” in herbal medicine

Traditional Chinese medicine vs western herbalism:

• TCM Perspective: Uses the term “blood movers” (活血化瘀 huó xuè huà yū) to describe herbs that promote blood circulation and dissolve stasis
• Western Perspective: Often refers to these herbs as “circulatory stimulants” or “emmenagogues” (specifically for menstrual flow)

Detailed Guide to Blood-Moving Herbs

Top of the list:

• Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Hot herbs:

• Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
• Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
• Arnica (Arnica spp.)
• Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) **careful, should not be used since it has been overharvested!
• Cayenne (Capsicuum anuum)
• Safllower (Carthamus tinctorius)
• Corydalis (Corydalis formosa)

Cool herbs:

• Red sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
• Saffron (Crocus sativus)
• Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
• Red Peony (Paeonia abovata)
• Peach (seed) (Prunus persica) – I use peach seed oil for my day moisturiser

Preparation Methods

Internal Preparations

1. Teas/Infusions
   • Best for leafy herbs like yarrow and motherwort
   • Standard ratio: 1-2 teaspoons dried herb per cup of water
2. Tinctures
   • Concentrated liquid extracts
   • Typical dosage: 20-40 drops, 2-3 times daily
   • Best for roots like turmeric and ginger
3. Powders
   • Can be added to foods or beverages
   • Good for turmeric, ginger, cayenne

Teas/Infusions

Teas are a gentle and effective way to extract the medicinal properties of leafy herbs, such as yarrow and motherwort.

Here’s how to make a proper infusion:

• Step 1: Boil water and pour over 1-2 teaspoons of dried herbs per cup.
• Step 2: Cover the cup and let it steep for 10-15 minutes to ensure full extraction of nutrients.
• Step 3: Strain and drink 1-3 cups daily.

For stronger infusions, steep the herbs for up to 30 minutes. You can also make larger batches to drink throughout the day, storing the tea in a thermos to keep it warm.

Tips:

• Add agave syrup or lemon to improve the flavour, especially for more bitter herbs.
• For convenience, use tea infuser balls or muslin bags to easily strain the herbs.
• Use fresh water each time to maximise the herbal benefits, as reboiled water loses oxygen and reduces the extraction quality.

If you’re focusing on improving circulation, herbs like ginger and cinnamon make excellent teas to keep your blood flowing smoothly.

External Preparations

1. Liniments
   • Alcohol-based preparations for topical use
   • Good for acute injuries and pain
2. Salves and Balms
   • Oil-based preparations
   • Better for chronic conditions
3. Compresses
   • Strong tea or diluted tincture applied externally
   • Useful for bruises and sprains

Liniments

Liniments are alcohol-based preparations ideal for topical use, especially on areas experiencing acute injuries or pain. The alcohol helps extract active compounds from herbs and promotes rapid absorption into the skin. They’re excellent for sore muscles, bruises, or sprains.

How to use:

• Apply the liniment by rubbing it into the skin over the affected area.
• For better absorption, massage the area gently for a few minutes.
• Avoid using liniments on open wounds due to the alcohol content, as it may sting.

Tip: Store liniments in dark bottles to preserve their potency, and always shake the bottle before use to ensure the herbs are well mixed.

Salves and Balms

Salves and balms are oil-based preparations, designed for long-term support of chronic conditions such as arthritis, dry skin, or inflammation. They create a protective barrier over the skin, locking in moisture while allowing the active herbal ingredients to penetrate deeply.

How to use:

• Apply a small amount of salve to the affected area and massage it into the skin.
• For best results, use salves after bathing or when the skin is warm, as this helps with absorption.
• Reapply as needed throughout the day.

Tip: Make salves with infused oils like calendula or comfrey for extra healing properties. You can also add a few drops of essential oils for fragrance and additional benefits.

Compresses

Compresses are simple but highly effective ways to apply herbal remedies directly to the skin. They involve soaking a cloth in a strong herbal tea or a diluted tincture and placing it on the affected area, making them useful for treating bruises, sprains, and inflammation.

How to use:

• Brew a strong herbal tea or dilute a tincture with warm water.
• Soak a clean cloth or gauze in the solution, wring out the excess, and apply it to the affected area.
• Leave the compress on for 15-30 minutes, re-soaking as needed to keep it warm.

Tip: Compresses with herbs like arnica or comfrey are particularly useful for reducing swelling and speeding up healing. Cold compresses can also be used to ease pain and inflammation in acute injuries.

Building Your Home Apothecary?

Essential Blood-Moving Herbs to Stock…

1. Yarrow – versatile and safe
2. Ginger – readily available and effective
3. Turmeric – both culinary and medicinal
4. Cayenne – small amounts go a long way

Basic Formulation Tips

• Start with single herbs to learn their effects
• Combine warming and cooling herbs for balance
• Consider the person’s constitution and condition
• Start with lower doses and increase gradually

I hope the above guide has been helpful for you.

This is a good page to bookmark as you might have to revisit to read the list of herbs again, etc.

At some point in the future I would like to add recipes below that can help you build your home apothecary.

For now I just leave the information above so you can at least understand the very basics when it comes to blood moving herbs.

If you’d like to learn more about herbal medicine I very much recommend Rosalee La Foret’s course “Taste of Herbs”.