Anemia is an erythrocyte or bone marrow disease.

It may
also be a clinical manifestation of a disease from another
system. As a disease, it is defined in terms of total RBC
count in the peripheral blood. The standard for normal adult
women is defined as a hemoglobin level lower than 115g/L,
and a hematocrit level lower than 36%, and for adult men,
125g/L and 40%, respectively. Clinical symptoms can include
fatigue, heart palpitations, dyspnea, low appetite, nausea,
abdominal fullness, and headache. In traditional Chinese
medicine, anemia belongs to the category of "consumptive
disease."
Etiology/Pathogenesis
Congenital defect or postnatal malnutrition may lead to
hypofunction in transportation and transformation of blood
and essence deficiency in the spleen and stomach, or yin
insufficiency in liver, kidney, and poor liver hematopoiesis.
Consequently, symptoms such as pale complexion,
weakness, heart palpitations, and dizziness can occur.
Primary Treatments with Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Gui Pi Tang
86 cases of senile anemia were treated with modified Gui Pi
Tang. The herbs used were: Dang Shen (Codonopsis),
Huang Qi (Astragalus), Fu Ling (Poria), Dang Gui (Chinese
Angelica Root), Da Zao (Zizyphus), Tu Si Zi (Cuscuta), Wei
Ling Xian (Clematis), Bai Zhu (Atractylode), Yuan Zhi
(Polygala), Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril), Mu Xiang (Saussea),
E Jiao (Gelatin), Gan Cao (Licorice), Rou Gui (Cinnamon
Bark), Sheng Jiang (Ginger), and Da Zao (Jujube). One dose
of the decoction was taken per day. One course of treatment
comprised of 30 days. The results were as follows: 45 cases
had fully recovered, 33 cases showed some effectiveness,
and 8 cases had no effectiveness. The total effectiveness
rate was 90.7%.(1)
One case of macrocytic anemia was treated with Gui Pi
Tang. The formula contains the following herbs: Dang Shen
(Codonopsis), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Bai Zhu (White
Atractylodes), Long Yan Rou (Longan Aril), Dang Gui

(Chinese Angelica Roots), Fu Ling (Poria), Suan Zao Ren

(Ziziphus), Mu Xiang (Saussurea), Zhi Gan Cao (prepared
Licorice), Sheng Jiang (Ginger), Da Sao (Jujube), Sha Ren
(Amomum Fruit), and Yuan Zhi (Polygala Root). After the
formula was taken for 3 consecutive weeks, all symptoms
subsided. There were no recurrences of symptoms in a 2year follow-up study.(2)
Other Treatments with Chinese Medicinal Herbs
Yi Xue Sheng
38 cases of anemia were treated with Yi Xue Sheng
capsules. The formula consisted of 20 kinds of single herbs
such as Lu Rong (Hairy Antler), Lu Xue Fen (Deer Blood
powder), and Lu Jiao Jiao (Antler Glue). Four capsules were
taken 3 times a day. 2 weeks comprised of one course of
treatment. After 2-6 courses of treatment, 11 cases had
fully recovered, 14 cases showed significant effectiveness, 9
cases showed some effectiveness, and 4 cases had no
improvement. The total effectiveness rate was 94.7%.(3)
Sheng Xue Jiao Nang
24 cases of anemia due to chronic renal failure were treated
with Sheng Xue Jiao Nang (capsule for blood formation).
The formula was composed of Xi Yang Shen (American
Ginseng), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Dong Cong Xia
Cao, Da Huang (Rhubarb), Dan Shen (Salvia), Liu Yue Xue,
and Tu Fu Ling. Treatment consisted of 4 capsules 3 times a
day, for 12 consecutive weeks. The difference in Hb, HCT,
and RBC, before and after the treatment was significant
(P<0.05). The difference in blood albumin content before
and after the treatment was also significant (P<0.01).(4)
Ye Xue Jing
60 cases of iron deficiency anemia were treated a
formulation of Ye Xue Jing. The formula was composed of
Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Huang Qi (Astragalus), Dang Gui
(Chinese Angelica Root), Shou Di (prepared Rehmannia), Fu
Ling (Poria), and Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), etc. 2
packages were taken daily, in three separate
administrations. A control group of 60 cases was treated

with iron, which was taken by 2 capsules 3 times a day. The

total effectiveness rates were 96.7% and 95% respectively.
Measurements before and after the treatment showed a
significant difference in Hb serum iron level, serum
ferroprotein, and ferroprotein transportation saturation
index for both groups (P<0.01).(5)
Xue Bao Hau Jia
76 cases of juvenile iron deficiency anemia were treated by
Xue Bao Hau Jia. The formula consists of Huang Qi
(Astragalus), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Roots), Bu Gu Zhi
(Psoralea), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Ji Xue Teng (Milettia),
and Shou Di (cooked Rehmannia), etc. The total
effectiveness rate was 81%.(6)
Sheng Xue II
95 cases of anemia during pregnancy were treated with
Sheng Xue II. The formula consists of Dang Shen
(Codonopsis), Yuan Ling (Poria), Bai Zhu (White
Atractylodes), Huang Qi (Astragalus Root), Dang Gui
(Chinese Angelica Root), Gou Qi Zi (Lycium), Zao Fan, Chen
Pi (Citrus), Da Zao (Jujube), Ban Xia (Pinellia), and Zhu Ru
(Bamboo shavings). 80 cases in the control group were
treated with ferrous gluconate 50mg three times a day. The
improvement rates in symptoms, such as yellow
complexion, weakness, dizziness, and palpitations of the
heart, were 97.5% and 95.4% (P>0.05).(7)
Zhang's Anemia Formula
Zhang Yong Ping treated 102 cases of aplastic anemia. The
formula used consisted of the following single herbs: Huang
Qi (Astragalus), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), E Jiao
(Gelatin), Yin Yang Huo (Epimedium), Lu Jiao Jiao (Antler
Glue), Gui Ban (melted Tortoise Shell), Shou Di (cooked
Rehmannia), Ji Xue Teng (Milettia), Shan Yu Rou (Cornus),
Gou Qi Zi (Lycium), etc. The formula was administered one
dose of a decoction daily. 3 months constituted one course
of treatment. The results were: 28 cases significantly
improved, 35 cases remitted, 36 cases became stable, and
3 cases showed no improvement.(8)

Zhou's Anemia Formula

21 cases of renal anemia were treated by the method of
enforcing the kidney and fulfilling marrow to cultivate blood.
The formula consisted of Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Zhi
Huang Qi (processed Astragalus), Dang Gui (Chinese
Angelica Root), Bu Gu Zhi (Psoralea), Yin Yang Huo
(Epimedium), Lu Jiao Jiao (Antler Glue), E Jiao Zhu (Gelatin
Pearl), Chen Pi (Citrus), Zhi Da Huang (processed Rhubarb),
and Liu Yue Xue (Eupatorium). The total effectiveness rate
was 76.2%.(9)
Tian's Anemia Formula
43 cases of anemia due to malnutrition were treated with
invigorating qi to enforce spleen method. The formula
consists of the following herbs: Huang Qi (Astragalus Root),
Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes),
Huang Jing (Polygonatum Root), Dang Gui (Chinese
Angelica Root), Gan Cao (Licorice), and Da Zao (Jujube).
One dose of a water decoction was taken daily, divided into
3-4 administrations. One month constituted one course of
treatment. A control group of 23 cases was treated with
ferrous sulfate 0.03g/kg/day and vitamin C 0.1g three times
a day. The results were, Hb and RBC significantly increased
after treatment in both group but there was no difference
between two groups (P>0.05).(10)
Lian's Anemia formula
Yan Xue Lian treated 100 cases of anemia during pregnancy.
The formula consists of these single herbs: Huang Qi
(Astragalas Root), Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica Root), Zao
Fan, Shan Zha (Crataegus), Dang Shen (Codonopsis), Bai
Zhu (White Atractylodes), Chen Pi (Citrus), and Su Ye
(Perilla Leaves). These herbs were processed into a powder
and packaged into10g packs (corresponding to 25g of raw
herb), twice a day. 4 weeks constituted one course of
treatment. 50 cases in the control group were treated by
ferrous sulfate 0.6g twice a day, 4 weeks as 1 course of
treatment. Results: After one course of treatment, symptom
improvement rates in both groups were 100% and 80%.

(11)