A deficiency of both spleen qi and heart blood produces dizziness, poor appetite, and fatigue, with a pale face and tongue. This pattern often appears in students after excessive studying. The standard formula for this pattern is Kwei Be Wan. In addition, longan (long yan rou) fruit can be eaten as is or boiled in a decoction. It is sold in dried form, but in tropical climates it can sometimes be found fresh. It nourishes the heart blood, making it a good supplement to herbal therapy. If the underlying disharmony is liver and kidney yin deficiency, symptoms are fatigue, blurry vision, low back pain, sexual dysfunction, leg weakness, and night sweats. The treatment principle is to tonify liver and kidney yin with Rehmannia Teapills. Another tasty fruit, Lycium berries (gou qi zi), can be added as a supplement for this pattern. The berries replenish the yin of the liver and kidneys, nourish the blood, and improve eyesight. The best-quality fruit is brownish and soft and can be eaten as is, cooked into cereal, or boiled in a decoction. When anemia is the result of spleen and kidney yang deficiency, fatigue, a pale face and tongue, lack of libido, cold limbs, and loose stools can occur. Moxibustion is especially helpful in this pattern. Also, the person should avoid cold foods. In this case, a good patent remedy is Nu Ke Ba Zhen Wan, which tonifies both qi and blood. In addition, a decoction made of 10 grams dried ginger and 10 grams cinnamon bark tonifies the yang qi.
In all types of anemia, another patent medicine, Tang Kwei Gin, a pleasant-tasting liquid supplement, further builds the blood. The diet should be especially nutritious, with generous amounts of dark greens and legumes at most meals. Refined foods such as pastas, breads, and pastries should be avoided, since they are filling but provide very little nutrition.
