NCCAOM Chinese Herbology: Tonify Blood –
50 Questions with Answers and Rationales
1Which herb is commonly used to tonify blood and invigorate
blood circulation?
o Answer: Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
o Rationale: Dang Gui is renowned for its ability to tonify
and invigorate blood, making it a cornerstone herb in
tonifying blood formulas.
2. What is the primary function of Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia
Root)?
o Answer: Tonifies blood and nourishes Yin
o Rationale: Shu Di Huang is a key herb for nourishing
blood and Yin, often used in formulas for blood deficiency
with concurrent Yin deficiency.
3. Which herb is used to tonify blood and also has a mild effect of
invigorating blood?
o Answer: Bai Shao (White Peony Root)
o Rationale: Bai Shao tonifies blood and preserves Yin, and
its sour nature helps to preserve the Yin and prevent
damage from other herbs.
4. In the context of tonifying blood, what is the primary function
of E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin)?
o Answer: Nourishes blood and stops bleeding
, o Rationale: E Jiao is used to nourish blood and stop
bleeding, especially in cases of blood deficiency leading to
bleeding.
5. Which formula is commonly used to tonify blood and is known
for its use in treating anemia and menstrual disorders?
o Answer: Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction)
o Rationale: Ba Zhen Tang is a classic formula that tonifies
both Qi and blood, often used for conditions like anemia
and menstrual disorders.
# Question Answer Rationale
Bai Shao tonifies
Which herb tonifies blood and preserves
Bai Shao
blood and nourishes the Yin, and its sour
6 (White Peony
liver while softening the nature helps calm
Root)
liver to relieve spasms? liver Yang, preventing
cramps and spasms.
Dang Gui tonifies and
Which herb tonifies
Dang Gui invigorates blood and
blood and also moistens
7 (Angelica has a mild moistening
the intestines to relieve
sinensis) effect on the
constipation?
intestines.
Shu Di Huang is often Steamed / Steaming or preparing
prepared in which way Cooked Rehmannia increases
8
to enhance its blood- (prepared its ability to tonify
tonifying effects? Rehmannia) blood and nourish Yin.
Which herb nourishes
E Jiao is moist, tonifies
blood and stops
E Jiao (Donkey- blood, and stops
9 bleeding, often used in
hide Gelatin) bleeding, particularly
cases of postpartum
after blood loss.
bleeding?
, # Question Answer Rationale
Bai Shao nourishes
Which herb nourishes Bai Shao blood and softens
10 blood and calms the (White Peony liver Yang, which
fetus during pregnancy? Root) helps stabilize the
fetus.
Dang Gui has which Invigorates It promotes
additional therapeutic blood and circulation and is
11
effect besides tonifying regulates commonly used for
blood? menses menstrual disorders.
Nourishes blood and
Which herb tonifies Suan Zao Ren Yin, calming the shen
12 blood and benefits the (Sour Jujube (spirit), often used for
heart to calm spirit? Seed) insomnia or
irritability.
Which formula is
Si Wu Tang is the
composed of Shu Di Si Wu Tang
basic blood-tonifying
Huang, Bai Shao, Dang (Four
13 formula for blood
Gui, and Chuan Xiong to Substances
deficiency and
tonify blood and regulate Decoction)
menstrual issues.
menses?
It tonifies both Qi and
Ba Zhen Tang combines Si Wu Tang + blood; Si Wu Tang for
14
which two formulas? Si Jun Zi Tang blood, Si Jun Zi Tang
for Qi.
By nourishing Yin and
Which herb tonifies
blood, it indirectly
blood and also Shu Di Huang
15 supports spleen
strengthens the spleen to (Rehmannia)
function for blood
generate blood?
production.
Which herb tonifies Dang Gui invigorates
16 blood and alleviates pain Dang Gui blood and alleviates
due to blood deficiency? pain caused by
50 Questions with Answers and Rationales
1Which herb is commonly used to tonify blood and invigorate
blood circulation?
o Answer: Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis)
o Rationale: Dang Gui is renowned for its ability to tonify
and invigorate blood, making it a cornerstone herb in
tonifying blood formulas.
2. What is the primary function of Shu Di Huang (Rehmannia
Root)?
o Answer: Tonifies blood and nourishes Yin
o Rationale: Shu Di Huang is a key herb for nourishing
blood and Yin, often used in formulas for blood deficiency
with concurrent Yin deficiency.
3. Which herb is used to tonify blood and also has a mild effect of
invigorating blood?
o Answer: Bai Shao (White Peony Root)
o Rationale: Bai Shao tonifies blood and preserves Yin, and
its sour nature helps to preserve the Yin and prevent
damage from other herbs.
4. In the context of tonifying blood, what is the primary function
of E Jiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin)?
o Answer: Nourishes blood and stops bleeding
, o Rationale: E Jiao is used to nourish blood and stop
bleeding, especially in cases of blood deficiency leading to
bleeding.
5. Which formula is commonly used to tonify blood and is known
for its use in treating anemia and menstrual disorders?
o Answer: Ba Zhen Tang (Eight Treasure Decoction)
o Rationale: Ba Zhen Tang is a classic formula that tonifies
both Qi and blood, often used for conditions like anemia
and menstrual disorders.
# Question Answer Rationale
Bai Shao tonifies
Which herb tonifies blood and preserves
Bai Shao
blood and nourishes the Yin, and its sour
6 (White Peony
liver while softening the nature helps calm
Root)
liver to relieve spasms? liver Yang, preventing
cramps and spasms.
Dang Gui tonifies and
Which herb tonifies
Dang Gui invigorates blood and
blood and also moistens
7 (Angelica has a mild moistening
the intestines to relieve
sinensis) effect on the
constipation?
intestines.
Shu Di Huang is often Steamed / Steaming or preparing
prepared in which way Cooked Rehmannia increases
8
to enhance its blood- (prepared its ability to tonify
tonifying effects? Rehmannia) blood and nourish Yin.
Which herb nourishes
E Jiao is moist, tonifies
blood and stops
E Jiao (Donkey- blood, and stops
9 bleeding, often used in
hide Gelatin) bleeding, particularly
cases of postpartum
after blood loss.
bleeding?
, # Question Answer Rationale
Bai Shao nourishes
Which herb nourishes Bai Shao blood and softens
10 blood and calms the (White Peony liver Yang, which
fetus during pregnancy? Root) helps stabilize the
fetus.
Dang Gui has which Invigorates It promotes
additional therapeutic blood and circulation and is
11
effect besides tonifying regulates commonly used for
blood? menses menstrual disorders.
Nourishes blood and
Which herb tonifies Suan Zao Ren Yin, calming the shen
12 blood and benefits the (Sour Jujube (spirit), often used for
heart to calm spirit? Seed) insomnia or
irritability.
Which formula is
Si Wu Tang is the
composed of Shu Di Si Wu Tang
basic blood-tonifying
Huang, Bai Shao, Dang (Four
13 formula for blood
Gui, and Chuan Xiong to Substances
deficiency and
tonify blood and regulate Decoction)
menstrual issues.
menses?
It tonifies both Qi and
Ba Zhen Tang combines Si Wu Tang + blood; Si Wu Tang for
14
which two formulas? Si Jun Zi Tang blood, Si Jun Zi Tang
for Qi.
By nourishing Yin and
Which herb tonifies
blood, it indirectly
blood and also Shu Di Huang
15 supports spleen
strengthens the spleen to (Rehmannia)
function for blood
generate blood?
production.
Which herb tonifies Dang Gui invigorates
16 blood and alleviates pain Dang Gui blood and alleviates
due to blood deficiency? pain caused by
