Red Date, Angelica, and Clam Soup，From *Proven Tea, Decoction, and Soup Recipes for Common Ailments*,Nourishes both yin and yang. Suitable for iron-deficiency anemia caused by deficiency of both yin and yang, characterized by a pale complexion, soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees, thirst, low-grade fever or aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation, alternating chills and fever, spontaneous sweating and night sweats, a pale tongue with a thin white coating (or little coating), and a deep, fine, weak pulse or a deep, fine, rapid pulse.
the blood-moving action suggests caution in early pregnancy, in heavy or prolonged menses, and in those with a bleeding tendency; the warming-tonic nature is inadvisable during damp-heat, yin deficiency with fire, or episodes of exterior-heat; prolonged use of the heat-clearing, cold herbs may harm spleen yang; those with yang deficiency or poor appetite with loose stools should avoid them
Commentary
The sovereign is jujubes, of warm nature and sweet flavor, entering the Spleen, Stomach, Heart; it tonifies qi, nourishes blood and calms the spirit, and harmonizes the formula, anchoring the central strategy of the formula. The ministerial layer, angelica root (nature warm, flavor sweet, pungent, channeled into the Liver, Heart, Spleen, tonifies blood, promotes blood circulation, regulates menstruation, and moistens the intestines), and clam meat (of cold nature and sweet, salty flavor, entering the Liver, Kidney, nourishes yin, clears heat, and promotes diuresis), lends support that reinforces the sovereign’s main effect. Together the herbs converge on this action, in accord with the qi-blood deficiency pattern.