In TCM,
气 (qì, vital energy) and
血 (xuè, blood) are the two fundamental substances that circulate through the meridians —
气 drives circulation,
血 nourishes tissue. A common diagnosis for fatigue, pale complexion, and dizziness is
气血不足 (qì-blood insufficient). Everyday Chinese women's-health chatter about
补气血 (replenishing qi and blood) via jujubes, goji berries, and
阿胶 (donkey-hide gelatin) keeps this term very much alive outside the clinic.
