In the West, donating blood is no big deal - some juice and cookies and it's back to work. But in China, blood is associated with qi, or life energy, and so many people are (unnecessarily) reluctant to donate. The ancient Chinese believed that we inherit our essence from our father and blood from our mother, both vital to human life. And the very life force and energy, qi, is closely identified with blood.

Qi and blood nourish the body; qi moves the blood; blood is the mother of qi. Losing blood weakens you, so donating blood voluntarily is bad for your health and saps your energy. That's the thinking. So, while many Chinese are willing to help others, they hesitate to join blood drives or visit blood collection stations. Some young people who are willing are prevented from donating by their parents who worry about their health. If they do donate, they are often ordered to go to bed.

According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), donating 200-400ml of blood once every two years - not more frequently - is not a problem and may even enhance the body's ability to produce more blood. In the West, whole blood can be donated every eight weeks, but regular donors usually give two or three times a year. Some people donate out of charitable impulse: No preparation is required - just good health. Afterward, donors are usually given some juice and cookies for energy, observed for 20 minutes or so for possible dizziness - and then they're on their way.

Because donating is a big deal in China, two weeks' advance preparation is ideal before donating - lots of rest, no vigorous sports and lots of nourishing food. That's why people are notified two weeks in advance of their donation appointments. And after donating, two weeks' rest is recommended - no work and more nourishing, energy-reinforcing food to build up the blood and energy (recipes below). And still many people are reluctant to donate.

According to Western medicine theory, a 200ml donation of blood only represents five to 10 percent of the total in a healthy adult. The blood loss is quickly made up and a healthy adult can recover completely in 10 days after donation. As TCM attaches great importance to blood as the carrier of nutrition and source of energy, it also emphasizes the need to help the blood regenerate quickly.

TCM believes that blood is composed of nutrition and fluids from the foods we ingest. The stomach and spleen turn the foods into essence first, and then into red blood with the help of energy. Therefore, as long as both stomach and spleen function well, and the original energy is healthy, donating blood only involves a metabolic process at a quicker pace.