What are the 4 types of symptoms caused by Liver Qi stagnation?

1. Affects the circulation of blood and the metabolism of body fluids

When Liver Qi is stagnant, blood circulation becomes obstructed, leading to blood stasis.Over time, blood stasis can develop into “zheng ji” (pathological masses), similar to uterine fibroids in Western medicine.

Women may experience issues such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and amenorrhea.

Stagnation of Qi can also lead to metabolic disorders of body fluids, resulting in pathological products such as:edema, sensation of a foreign body in the throat, and goiter (similar to thyroid nodules in Western medicine).

2. Affects the spleen and stomach’s ability to transform and transport

When the Liver’s ability to disperse Qi is impaired, it can disrupt the spleen’s function, known as “Liver-Spleen disharmony”. Simply put:In the first round:The Liver is too aggressive and beats up the Spleen!This can lead to symptoms such as fullness in the chest and hypochondrium, abdominal distension and pain, diarrhea, and borborygmi (gurgling sounds in the intestines).

Liver Qi stagnation can also affect the stomach, referred to as “Liver Qi invading the stomach” or “Liver-Stomach disharmony”, meaning in the second round, the aggressive Liver is now attacking its buddy, the Stomach!

This leads to impaired functions of the stomach in receiving and digesting food, resulting in:belching, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, fullness and pain in the chest and abdomen, and loss of appetite.

3. Affects bile secretion

If the Liver’s ability to disperse is impaired, such as in cases of Liver Qi stagnation or Liver Qi rising, it can lead to bile stagnation, affecting the digestion and absorption of food. The Liver becomes trapped and struggles to fulfill its role in opening the bile ducts.

This can result in:reduced appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, jaundice, aversion to greasy foods, abdominal distension, and abdominal pain. Prolonged bile stagnation can easily lead to the formation of gallstones.

4. Affects emotions

If Liver Qi is stagnant, one may experience:depression, sadness, and anxiety;if Liver Qi stagnation transforms into heat, it is like continuously pressurizing a pressure cooker; the more Qi accumulates, the higher the temperature, often manifesting as irritability, anger, excitement, insomnia, and vivid dreams.

Thus, smooth Liver Qi is a necessary condition for happiness!Moreover, our mindset is in our own hands, and managing our emotions is key to maintaining a good mood every day!

What to do about Liver Qi stagnation?

1. Si Ni San (Four Reverse Powder)

This formula disperses heat and regulates the Liver and Spleen.It is used for cold extremities, abdominal pain, and severe diarrhea.Originating from “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage), it is a fundamental formula for improving Liver-Spleen Qi stagnation.

2. Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pill)

This formula soothes the Liver, strengthens the Spleen, nourishes the blood, and regulates menstruation.It is used for discomfort due to Liver Qi stagnation and Spleen deficiency, including symptoms like chest and hypochondriac pain, dizziness, reduced appetite, and menstrual irregularities.For those with internal heat and thirst, the modified version of Xiao Yao Wan is recommended; if there are no obvious signs of internal heat, the standard Xiao Yao Wan can be used.

3. Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan (Bupleurum Liver-Soothing Pill)

This formula soothes the Liver, regulates Qi, and alleviates distension and pain.It is used for Liver Qi stagnation, chest and hypochondriac fullness, food stagnation, and vomiting of sour fluids.

4. Zuo Jin Wan (Left Metal Pill)

This formula is suitable for acid reflux, vomiting, and bitter taste caused by anger, with a typical presentation of a red tongue and yellow coating.

5. Yue Ju Bao He Wan (Yue Ju Digestive Pill)

The main function of Yue Ju Bao He Wan is to soothe the Liver, relieve stagnation, and promote digestion and appetite. It is suitable for those with symptoms of indigestion, chest tightness, belching, diarrhea, and vomiting.Clinically, it is also used to improve stomach pain and pain in the flanks.

Insights

The impact of Liver Qi stagnation is not limited to women; it can cause many issues that cannot be generalized.

Many people may wonder if they can directly use the 5 methods provided in the article once they identify their symptoms.I would like to ask, are you sure you can integrate all four diagnostic methods?

Additionally, symptoms like constipation, insomnia, sensation of a foreign body in the throat, abdominal distension, and vivid dreams are just one of the roots of Liver Qi stagnation, so I recommend everyone to first conduct a differential diagnosis.