Have you ever felt uncomfortable all over?
Feeling uneasy and unwell?
After various examinations, no abnormalities were found?
Only to receive explanations from doctors like “Liver Fire” or “Liver Qi Stagnation”?
…
If you have had similar experiences, please raise your hand.
The liver is a very important detoxification organ in the human body.
When people are angry or depressed, it can harm the liver.
This brings up a question:
“Liver Qi Stagnation” or “Liver Qi Constraint”
(Are you familiar with this?
)
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) states: “The liver is a strong organ, it likes to be free and dislikes depression; in terms of emotions, it relates to anger.” This means that the liver is a strong and impulsive organ that prefers smooth and gentle emotions, and dislikes anger and depression.
Only when the liver’s function of regulating Qi is normal can the body’s Qi flow smoothly, ensuring normal blood circulation and overall health. If liver Qi is stagnant, it can lead to various pathological changes in the body, such as edema, blood stasis, and amenorrhea in women. Therefore, promoting liver Qi is essential for nourishing the liver.
In short, it means “Do not get angry”
Protect your little liver!
That said, with the fast pace of life, the pressure everyone faces is increasing, and symptoms of liver Qi stagnation are becoming more common. Since this is the case, do not avoid it; face it positively.
How to determine if you have liver Qi stagnation?
The key evidence for liver Qi stagnation can be found on the tongue. Generally, a normal tongue is oval-shaped, while a person with liver Qi stagnation has a pointed tongue, with the tip and edges being red—this is the most critical clue for liver Qi stagnation. (Check in the mirror!)
Of course, there are other “evidences”:
These are the diagnostic criteria for liver Qi stagnation. If at least one or two match, and the tongue shape is still pointed, you can basically conclude that it is liver Qi stagnation. By the way, if you have difficulty sleeping, you can check out this article.
Now, the question is, how to actively solve it?
Here are ↓↓↓
Four Major Formulas to Improve Liver Qi Stagnation
Liver Qi stagnation is an emotional disorder, so first, attention should be paid to mental adjustment. On the basis of treating the primary disease, actively guide your mood, seek help from family, friends, or psychologists, or engage in music therapy, or immerse yourself in nature. Only by shifting your focus and relaxing your body and mind can the situation of liver Qi stagnation be alleviated.For those with more severe symptoms, medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor, usually choosing the following formulas:
Xiao Yao Wan (Free and Easy Wanderer Pill)
The main ingredients are Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Bai Shao (White Peony), Bo He (Peppermint), Dang Gui (Angelica Sinensis), Chao Bai Zhu (Fried Atractylodes), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice), Fu Ling (Poria), and Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger). Among them, Chai Hu and Bo He have the effect of regulating Qi, while Dang Gui and Bai Shao can nourish blood and regulate menstruation.
This formula has the effects of soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, regulating menstruation, and relieving pain, and can treat breast swelling, loss of appetite, depression, and menstrual irregularities caused by liver Qi stagnation and spleen deficiency in women.
Shu Gan Wan (Liver Soothing Pill)
This Chinese patent medicine is very effective in regulating liver Qi stagnation, with main ingredients including Yan Hu Suo (Corydalis), Chuan Lian Zi (Melia Toosendan), Pian Jiang Huang (Turmeric), Chen Xiang (Agarwood), Mu Xiang (Saussurea), Sha Ren (Amomum), Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange), Dou Kou Ren (Cardamom), Bai Shao (White Peony), Fu Ling (Poria), Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel), and Zhu Sha (Cinnabar).
This formula has the effects of soothing the liver and stomach, regulating Qi, and relieving pain. It can alleviate stomach pain, chest tightness, and belching caused by liver Qi stagnation.
Chai Hu Shu Gan Wan (Bupleurum Liver Soothing Pill)
The main ingredients include Xiang Fu (Cyperus), Chai Hu (Bupleurum), Zhi Qiao (Bitter Orange, fried), Chuan Xiong (Ligusticum), Shao Yao (Peony), Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel, vinegar-fried), and Gan Cao (Licorice, fried).
This formula has the effects of soothing the liver, regulating Qi, and invigorating blood to relieve pain, suitable for patients with liver Qi stagnation presenting with chest and rib distension, irritability, and anger.
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao Wan (Gardenia Free and Easy Wanderer Pill)
Based on Xiao Yao Wan, this formula adds Mu Dan Pi (Moutan Root) and Zhi Zi (Gardenia) to clear liver fire, with effects of clearing heat, regulating menstruation, soothing the liver, and relieving depression, suitable for women with liver Qi stagnation transforming into fire, irritability, chest and rib distension, dry mouth, red face, loss of appetite, tidal fever, early menstruation, menstrual obstruction, and breast swelling.
In addition to medication, dietary choices can also include foods that help soothe the liver and regulate Qi, such as celery, garland chrysanthemum, tomatoes, radishes, oranges, pomelos, tangerines, Buddha’s hand, and citron.
Teas made from rose petals, jasmine flowers, he huan hua (Mimosa), green plum blossoms, chrysanthemums, peppermint, and Buddha’s hand can also have a certain effect in soothing the liver and relieving depression.
Furthermore, experts recommend a very simple ↓
Self-Care Exercise for Soothing Liver Qi
The blockage of liver Qi stagnation often starts from the armpits. By abducting both shoulders and performing chest expansion exercises, you can compress the inner sides of the shoulder blades towards the spine, which can help clear the meridians under the armpits and stimulate the bladder meridian. Persisting in this exercise once a day for 10-15 minutes can have a good effect on soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen.
As the year comes to an end, I hope everyone can be happy and welcome the Spring Festival with a cheerful heart～
Medical Guidance: Dr. Gong Qian, TCM Physician at Chengdu Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Hospital, Center for Preventive Health
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