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I Abstract: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is said that all diseases arise from Qi. Therefore, only by resolving the issue of liver Qi stagnation can women reduce their illnesses or even avoid them altogether.
How to Determine Liver Qi StagnationIn TCM, it is said that all diseases arise from Qi. Therefore, only by resolving the issue of liver Qi stagnation can women reduce their illnesses or even avoid them altogether.Causes of Liver Qi StagnationThe following are some common causes of liver Qi stagnation:Family Disharmony: Frequent arguments between couples, tense relationships with in-laws, etc., can lead to liver Qi not being smooth.Social Pressure: For example, older unmarried women often face pressure from parents, relatives, and colleagues regarding marriage, compounded by negative societal views on their situation, leading to significant stress and liver Qi stagnation.Work Pressure: In modern workplaces, there is no gender preference; women face unprecedented pressure, especially white-collar women, who are often torn between family and career, leading to widespread liver Qi stagnation.Poor Self-Regulation: Many women struggle to cope with issues, tend to dwell on negative aspects of life and work, and do not know how to self-soothe, which often results in liver Qi stagnation.Manifestations of Liver Qi StagnationOne manifestation is Qi stagnation, which means that Qi is blocked within the body, leading to feelings of depression and oppression, commonly described as feeling “stifled” or “angry”. This is a typical sign of liver Qi stagnation. Prolonged liver Qi stagnation can lead to heat accumulation, resulting in excessive liver fire and irritability. Some people may sigh frequently and feel unhappy, which can lead to serious health issues; others may become impulsive and easily angered, causing distress to themselves and others.Many women report that they are aware of their poor health and wish to take blood-nourishing supplements, but they often develop mouth ulcers or have trouble sleeping after taking them, tossing and turning restlessly. Some believe this is due to “deficiency not accepting nourishment”; however, these issues are mostly caused by liver fire. If liver fire is blocked, how can nourishment be absorbed?The dangers of liver Qi stagnation are significant and beyond imagination; it can lead to blood stasis, weak temper, dampness accumulation, and even yin deficiency with yang excess… In short, the “crimes” of liver Qi stagnation are numerous. Vice President Wang Guowei of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital stated on Beijing TV’s “Health Hall” program that “all diseases stem from the liver”.Today, there are many people suffering from liver Qi stagnation, especially women, who juggle family responsibilities and career pressures, raising and educating children while also caring for elderly parents, making it difficult to avoid liver Qi stagnation.
How to Determine if You Have Liver Qi StagnationJust like solving a case requires evidence, self-diagnosis also needs to be based on facts. The most critical 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 sides appearing red—this is a key clue for liver Qi stagnation.Of course, to confirm liver Qi stagnation, you will need the following “evidence”:(1) Bitter Taste: Especially in the morning, many women feel a bitter taste in their mouth.(2) Dry Throat: Feeling dryness in the mouth and throat, as if there is no saliva, although upon examining the tongue, some may still see saliva present.(3) Sensation of a Lump in the Throat: A constant feeling of something stuck in the throat, like a bayberry pit, which cannot be coughed up or swallowed, known as “plum pit Qi”.(4) Dizziness: Some women frequently experience dizziness, either all day or in sudden episodes, and some may also have headaches.(5) Poor Appetite: “Liver wood counteracting spleen earth” means that liver Qi stagnation can lead to various spleen and stomach issues, such as lack of appetite, bloating, and stomach pain.(6) Alternating Cold and Hot Sensations: Feeling hot when dressed and cold when undressed, feeling hot in a warm room but cold when going outside.(7) Irritability: People with liver Qi stagnation are often irritable, easily angered, and prone to brooding.(8) Nausea: Due to “liver wood counteracting spleen earth”, leading to stomach Qi rising, causing feelings of gas, belching, acid reflux, or even vomiting.(9) Chest Tightness: Feeling tightness in the chest, even diagnosed with heart issues. In fact, those with heart problems should first address liver Qi stagnation if their tongue is pointed.(10) Rib Pain: A constant feeling of pain or fullness in the ribs.(11) Insomnia and Vivid Dreams: Insomnia can be caused by two main reasons: blood deficiency and liver Qi stagnation. Vivid dreams are also a sign of liver Qi stagnation, as such individuals tend to dream frequently upon falling asleep.(12) Low Mood: Sighing, feeling melancholic, and being particularly sensitive.(13) Cold Hands and Feet: Many know that cold hands and feet can be due to yang deficiency, blood deficiency, or blood stasis, but few realize that liver Qi stagnation can also cause this. If cold hands and feet are present along with the above symptoms, consider the possibility of liver Qi stagnation.
All of the above are criteria for diagnosing liver Qi stagnation. If at least one or two points match, and the tongue is pointed, it can generally be determined as liver Qi stagnation.In fact, even without looking at these symptoms, women can have a good sense of their condition.They know whether they feel relaxed, what troubles they have encountered, who has upset them, whether they feel frustrated, and how significant their work pressure is… These matters are clearer to them than anyone else, so the true diagnostic standard for liver Qi stagnation lies within themselves.Cupping and Moxibustion for Liver Qi StagnationTo regulate liver Qi stagnation, moxibustion combined with cupping is highly effective. The specific acupoints for moxibustion and cupping are as follows:Taichong (Liver 3)Taichong is an acupoint on the foot Jueyin liver meridian, located on the dorsum of the foot, in the depression before the junction of the metatarsal bones. Cupping followed by moxibustion at this point can help regulate Qi, soothe the liver, invigorate blood, and promote smooth Qi and blood flow.
Qimen (Liver 14)Qimen is the mu point of the foot Jueyin liver meridian, located in the sixth intercostal space, four inches lateral to the midline (directly below the nipple). Moxibustion at this point can soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen, regulate Qi, and invigorate blood. Cupping can also be combined with Ganshu (Liver 18) and Ge Shu (Pericardium 6) for additional effects of soothing the liver, invigorating blood, and resolving stasis, primarily treating chest and rib pain. Rubbing the sides of the ribs with both hands can also help soothe the liver and relieve stagnation.
Shanzhong (Ren 17)Located at the center of the chest at the fourth intercostal space (between the nipples). Cupping at this point can invigorate blood circulation, open the chest, regulate Qi, and relieve cough and asthma. Even massaging this point can yield good results, alleviating symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, and vomiting. When cupping at the above points, if there is no significant discomfort, leave the cups on for 5-10 minutes.Generally, a course of treatment consists of 10 sessions, with cupping done every 5 days, and moxibustion every other day. After cupping, the color of the cup marks reflects each person’s constitution and health status:
Dark purple cup marks indicate blood stasis; dark red cup marks suggest heat and more severe conditions; pale and slightly swollen cup marks indicate spleen yang deficiency leading to water retention; cup marks with clear patterns and enlarged pores suggest wind and dampness invasion.
During cupping, one may feel local tightness, coolness, or swelling; if there is no significant discomfort, the cup marks will naturally fade within 3 to 5 days without special treatment.
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