Which herb is known for invigorating the blood, transforming stasis, stopping pain, and cooling heat in the blood?

Which herb is known for invigorating the blood, transforming stasis, stopping pain, and cooling heat in the blood?

• A. Dan Shen
• B. Tao Ren
• C. Chuan Xiong
• D. Chi Shao

Answer: (D)

Chi Shao (red peony root) is the herb that brings all four actions together: it invigorates the blood and dispels stasis, relieves pain, and cools the blood to clear heat in the blood. This combination is exactly what’s described when a pattern involves blood stasis with heat in the blood, where pain is present and cooling the blood helps reduce inflammatory or heat-related symptoms. While other blood-moving herbs can address one or two of these effects, Chi Shao uniquely matches all four, making it the best fit for this description.

Chi Shao (red peony root) is the herb that brings all four actions together: it invigorates the blood and dispels stasis, relieves pain, and cools the blood to clear heat in the blood. This combination is exactly what’s described when a pattern involves blood stasis with heat in the blood, where pain is present and cooling the blood helps reduce inflammatory or heat-related symptoms. While other blood-moving herbs can address one or two of these effects, Chi Shao uniquely matches all four, making it the best fit for this description.