Herbs which move the Blood
Herbs which can move the Blood are graded into categories according to their actions and relative strength.
These herbs invigorate and encourage circulation of blood in the blood vessels, especially microcirculation in the capillaries. This is achieved by reducing coagulation and accumulation of platelets.
The next category of herbs encourages circulation, especially in areas where blood circulation has become very sluggish and there is pooling of stagnant blood. Their action is a little stronger than those above, which just encourage efficient circulation, and they will be employed when we see evidence of stasis of Blood, e.g., purple coloration on the skin or tongue, pointed pain (in the abdomen in this case), dark color or clots in the menstrual flow.
This category includes herbs and substances which can actually dissolve masses. These are employed when we know (from palpation or from investigative surgery) that there are masses like cysts, fibroids, polyps, endometriosis or breast lumps or tumors. This category includes a number of animal products and these are particularly strong in their Blood-breaking action (and anti-blood-clotting action) and thus have to be used with great caution and in small doses.