Liver Qi Stagnation

This text describes two distinct but often related patterns of disharmony in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Liver Qi Stagnation and Liver Blood Deficiency.

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Liver Qi Stagnation (肝气郁结 – Gān Qì Yù Jié)

This condition refers to the impairment of the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) in the Liver’s energetic system, often caused by emotional stress.[1][2]

Clinical Manifestations

Since the Liver meridian travels through the lower abdomen, chest, flanks, breasts, neck, and the top of the head, symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation often appear in these areas.

In Women:

• Common symptoms include distending or wandering pain in the chest and ribs, and bloating and pain in the breasts and lower abdomen, which can lead to irregular menstruation and painful periods.[3]

• A sensation of a foreign object in the throat that cannot be coughed up may occur if the Qi stagnates in the throat.

• If Qi stagnates in the head, it can cause headaches and dizziness.

• Teenage girls with Liver Qi Stagnation often experience irregular or painful periods, premenstrual irritability, and acne.

• Women aged 20-35 may exhibit symptoms like irregular or painful periods, premenstrual irritability, premenstrual bloating in the lower abdomen and breasts (sometimes with lumps), flank pain, breast hyperplasia, rough skin, irritability, and acne.

• Women aged 35-50 can experience irritability, a short temper, anxiety, depression, dizziness, insomnia, and worry. In severe cases, it can lead to amenorrhea (absence of menstruation).

• Menopausal women often show signs of irritability, frequent anger, nervous anxiety, palpitations, and dizziness.

• Elderly women may experience rapid aging, feelings of loss, worry, restlessness, insomnia, and excessive dreaming.

In Men:
Due to greater pressure and a tendency to suppress emotions, men can also suffer from Liver Qi Stagnation. Symptoms include emotional depression, irritability, a short temper, a flushed face, burning pain in the ribs, 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 the obstruction of Qi and Blood circulation in the Liver, causing Liver Qi Stagnation.

• Obstruction in the biliary tract can also hinder the Liver’s excretory functions, resulting in Liver Qi Stagnation.

• Serious or chronic debilitating diseases can affect emotions and, consequently, Liver function. The illness itself can also impede the smooth flow of Qi and Blood, leading to Liver Qi Stagnation.

Treatment and Conditioning

• Treatment Principle: The primary approach is to soothe the Liver, resolve depression, and regulate Qi to harmonize the stomach. When necessary, this can be combined with methods to transform phlegm, invigorate blood circulation, and soften masses.

• Dietary Recommendations: It is beneficial to eat more foods that help soothe the Liver and regulate Qi, such as celery, crown daisy, tomato, radish, orange, pomelo, tangerine, citron, and Buddha’s hand fruit.

Jasmine Flower Sugar Water

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

• Preparation: Add the jasmine flowers and sugar to 750 ml of water and simmer until 500 ml remains. Strain and drink. Alternatively, infuse the jasmine flowers in boiling water, add sugar to taste, and drink frequently.

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

• Usage: Drink once daily as a substitute for tea.

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Liver Blood Deficiency (肝血亏虚 – Gān Xuè Kuī Xū)

This refers to a series of syndromes caused by a deficiency of blood stored in the Liver. It can result from a deficiency of kidney essence (leading to insufficient essence and blood), weakness of the Spleen and Stomach (leading to inadequate blood production), or the depletion of yin from a prolonged illness. This deficiency leads to symptoms like dizziness, tinnitus, a pale complexion, blurred vision, and numbness in the limbs.[4][5]

Clinical Manifestations

The symptoms are primarily due to the failure of the blood to nourish the sinews, nails, eyes, and skin.[4] This can lead to:

• Numbness in the limbs, stiffness and restricted movement in the joints, and tremors in the hands and feet.[5]

• Dry, brittle, and thin nails.[4]

• Blurred vision, floaters, diminished eyesight, or even night blindness. Dizziness and tinnitus may also be present.

• A pale face and tongue, a white tongue coating, and a fine pulse, all of which are general signs of blood deficiency.

• Other symptoms can include irritability with excessive dreaming, being easily startled or fearful, and irregular menstruation.[5]

Treatment and Conditioning

• Treatment Principle: Nourish the Liver and supplement the Blood.

• Dietary Recommendations:

  • Red Dates (Jujube): Warm in nature and sweet in taste, they can both replenish Qi and nourish the blood.

  • Mulberry: Rich in glucose, fructose, calcium, and vitamins, it has excellent blood-tonifying effects and also helps to calm the mind, making it particularly suitable for those with insomnia due to blood deficiency.

  • Longan Aril: It can nourish the blood, calm the heart, soothe the mind, and enhance intelligence. It is highly recommended for individuals with palpitations, dizziness, insomnia, and forgetfulness due to blood deficiency and a weakened constitution.

  • Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis): One of the most commonly used Chinese herbs for tonifying blood, it is especially beneficial for those with blood deficiency, particularly women.

  • Ejiao (Donkey-hide Gelatin): In TCM, Ejiao is known for its ability to nourish yin and supplement the blood.