Blood Clots

In Western medicine, a blood clot is characterized as an aggregation of platelets, proteins, and cells that form a mass, further distinguished as a thrombus when adhering to a blood vessel wall and as an embolus when dislodged and obstructing blood flow (Davies et al., 2012, British Journal of Haematology).

In contrast, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) regards blood clots as manifestations of "pulse closed," a state of blood stagnation, which can be of two types: cold and hot clots. Cold clots typically manifest as heaviness and pooling in the legs and feet, along with cold extremities and absence of thirst, while hot clots present similarly but include thirst as a symptom (Liu et al., 2015, Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine). Both types of clots in TCM are viewed as indicative of liver Qi stagnation, given the liver's role in regulating the flow of Qi and blood throughout the body (Xue et al., 2016, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine).