Liver Qi Stagnation

Clinical Manifestations

Liver Qi Stagnation in Women
The Liver meridian primarily distributes from the lower abdomen upwards, through the sides of the chest, ribs, and breasts, then up the sides of the neck to the top of the head. Therefore, when individuals with Liver Qi stagnation fall ill, they often experience a distending or wandering pain in the chest and ribs. They may also have distending pain in the breasts and lower abdomen, which can lead to irregular menstruation, painful periods, and other related issues.

• When Qi stagnates in the throat, it can cause a sensation of a foreign object being stuck, which cannot be coughed up.

• When Qi stagnates in the head, it can lead to headaches and dizziness.

The manifestations of Liver Qi stagnation can vary with age:

• Adolescent Girls: Often presents as irregular menstruation, painful periods, premenstrual irritability, and acne.

• Women Aged 20-35: May experience irregular menstruation, painful periods, premenstrual irritability, premenstrual distending pain and lumps in the lower abdomen and breasts, pain in the rib-side, breast hyperplasia, rough skin, irritability, and acne.

• Women Aged 35-50: May show signs of irritability, a tendency to lose one’s temper, anxiety, depression, dizziness, insomnia, worry, and a sense of loss. In severe cases, it can lead to amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).

• Menopausal Women: Often characterized by irritability, frequent and unprovoked anger, mental tension and anxiety, heart palpitations, and dizziness.

• Elderly Women: May manifest as rapid aging, a sense of loss, worry, restlessness, insomnia, and vivid dreams.

Liver Qi Stagnation in Men
Men often face greater pressure and are less likely to express their feelings, which can also lead to symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation. These can include emotional depression, irritability, a red face and ears, a burning pain in the rib-side, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a yellow tongue coating.

Pathological Causes

• If the Spleen is deficient and the Liver is hyperactive, it can easily lead to a disruption in the flow of Qi and blood in the Liver, resulting in Liver Qi stagnation.

• Obstruction of the bile ducts can also impair the Liver’s excretory function, leading to Liver Qi stagnation.

• Serious illnesses or chronic wasting diseases (such as chronic hepatitis B) can affect a person’s emotions, which in turn affects Liver function. Moreover, the illness itself can cause a disruption in the flow of Qi and blood, leading to Liver Qi stagnation.

Treatment and Conditioning

Treatment Principle
The treatment for Liver Qi stagnation should focus on soothing the Liver, relieving depression, regulating Qi, and harmonizing the Stomach. If necessary, this can be supplemented with methods to regulate Qi, transform phlegm, invigorate blood, and soften hardness.

Dietary Recommendations
It is beneficial to consume more foods that have a Qi-regulating and Liver-soothing effect, such as:

• Celery

• Crown daisy (tong hao)

• Tomato

• Radish

• Orange

• Pomelo

• Tangerine

• Citron

• Bergamot

Jasmine Flower Sweet Soup

• Ingredients: 3-5 grams of jasmine flowers, an appropriate amount of white sugar.

• Method: Add the jasmine flowers and white sugar to 750 ml of water. Simmer until the liquid is reduced to 500 ml. Strain and drink. Alternatively, infuse the jasmine flowers in boiling water and add sugar to taste, drinking it frequently.

• Efficacy: Regulates Qi, soothes the Liver, and relieves depression.

• Usage: Drink once daily as a tea substitute.