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Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis) and Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), various pharmacopoeias have discussed them in detail. Although these two substances are the general guidelines for treating blood disorders, they also primarily function through the use of Qi (vital energy). Danggui has a pungent and sweet flavor and an active nature; it contains movement within tonification, and tonification within movement. Although it is not purely tonifying, it assists in the function of moving. Chuanxiong has a pungent and slightly bitter flavor and a nature that primarily scatters and moves; its moving effect is greater than its tonifying effect, but its texture is slightly moist, unlike harsh and drying agents.

Generally, Blood belongs to Yin and its substance is static. Within stillness lies motion; when motion and stillness are balanced, there will be no trouble. If stillness is excessive, Blood stagnates; if motion is excessive, Blood overflows. Although Danggui and Chuanxiong are said to treat Blood, they do not have a fixed primary indication. For Blood cold with coagulation, assist with Ganjiang (Fried Ginger) and Rougui (Cinnamon Bark); for Blood heat with overflow, make Huangqin (Scutellaria Root) the sovereign herb; combined with Renshen (Ginseng Root) and Huangqi (Astragalus Root), it tonifies Qi to generate Blood; combined with Qianniuzi (Seed of Phytolacca) and Dahuang (Rhubarb Root), it moves Qi to break Blood stasis; combined with Shudihuang (Prepared Rehmannia Root) and Baishao (White Peony Root), it nourishes Blood; combined with Danpi (Moutan Cortex) and Xiangfu (Cyperus Rhizome), it promotes Blood circulation. For patients with Blood deficiency and dryness, make Renshen, Baizhu (Atractylodes Macrocephala Rhizome), Shudihuang, and Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin) the main herbs. This is because Blood cannot generate itself; it must rely on Yang-tonifying herbs to function. When Yang generates, Yin grows; thus, without Yang, Yin cannot be generated. For postpartum blood masses, assist with Shixiao San (Pain-Relieving Powder) to eliminate lochia; Buzhong Tang (Tonify the Middle Decoction) uses Danggui to benefit Qi; Qianghuo Tang (Notopterygium Decoction) uses Chuanxiong to disperse Cold. Generally, Chuanxiong’s nature rises and scatters, and its efficacy is mostly suitable for Blood disorders only when caused by Cold coagulation and obstruction. For conditions such as hemorrhage, low blood volume, metrorrhagia, and uterine bleeding, one must exercise caution, lest it further disturb the static nature of Blood. Although Danggui is said to benefit Blood, its warm and active nature requires appropriate combination. Zhang Zhongjing treated cases of cold extremities and faint pulse using Danggui’s bitter-warm nature to assist Heart Blood, as Danggui is also a herb of the Heart Meridian that unblocks vessels. It is further assisted by Huangqi to form Danggui Buxue Tang (Danggui Tonify Qi Decoction), treating Blood deficiency fever. This condition resembles Baihutang (White Tiger Decoction) syndrome but cannot be treated with Baihutang.

In cases of chronic illness leading to constipation, although medical texts rightly advise against recklessly administering Chengqi Tang (Downward Directing Decoctions), herbs like Taoren (Peach Seed), Huomaren (Hemp Seed), and Zhike (Aurantium Fructus) are necessary. However, Taoren’s bitter taste drains Yin Qi, and its pungency disperses Yang Fire; Huomaren’s slipperiness damages Stomach Qi; Zhike greatly depletes True Qi; none of these are suitable for chronic illness. Generally, this results from water depletion and fluid exhaustion after severe disease, leading to dry Blood and depleted fluids, causing dryness and astringency in the large intestine. I usually treat this condition using Renshen, Danggui, and Shudihuang, each 2–3 qian, with half the dose of Baizhu, adding small amounts of Chenpi (Tangerine Peel) and Qinjiao (Gentiana Macrophylla Rhizome), guided by 3–4 Jujubes (Chinese Date). Within one or two doses, bowel movement is restored, and mental clarity returns. In this prescription, Renshen generates fluids, Baizhu strengthens the Spleen to circulate fluids. Moreover, the Large Intestine governs fluids, and Renshen and Baizhu are herbs of the Hand-Yangming and Foot-Yangming meridians; Chenpi regulates the Spleen and adjusts Qi; Shudihuang tonifies Yin and moistens dryness; Danggui invigorates Blood and moistens the intestines; Qinjiao’s pungency dissipates obstruction; Jujube’s sweetness relieves urgency. This specifically acts on Qi and Blood. There are cases where chronic illness leads to dual deficiency of Yin and Yang, yet ignorance of the root leads to treating only the branch, recklessly administering Huomaren and similar herbs, damaging Yuan Qi (Primordial Qi) until rescue is impossible.

Although it is said that tonifying Yin requires Danggui, Yin deficiency varies. For Kidney Yin deficiency with fever, cough, and hyperactive deficient fire, pure, sweet, and tranquil herbs from Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Six-Ingredient Pill with Rehmannia) are suitable. Thus, the classics state: "For those with small pulses, regulate with sweet herbs." Danggui’s warm and scattering nature is therefore unsuitable. Although Danggui and Chuanxiong can move Qi stagnation, why are they solely used for Blood? Renshen and Huangqi can stop Qi collapse, why are they solely used for benefiting Qi?