Such disharmonies are a major feature of Chinese understanding of health, disease and medical treatment. A pattern of deficient blood exists when the entire body, or an individual Organ, is insufficiently nourished by the Blood. Signs may be a pale, lustreless face, dizziness and dry skin.
Blood deficiency is essentially anemia, and anemia can result in inadequate oxygen supply to the brain leading to abnormal resting patterns and giving rise to symptoms such as headaches, insomnia, fatigue, forgetfulness, palpitations and anxiety.
The Chinese term xue is often translated as "blood," but it actually refers to a complex concept of which the blood itself is only a part.