Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern?
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Belching Dry mouth Depression Dry throat Acid reflux and six other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick coating
Tongue color: Red
Pathology
Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach is a pattern of disharmony in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine views the human body as a complex system that tends toward harmony. A pattern of disharmony is a disorder that prevents that harmony from occurring.
Patterns give rise to symptoms that may at first glance seem unrelated from a Western standpoint but that actually make a lot of sense when one understands Chinese Medicine theory. For instance here Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach gives rise to such diverse symptoms as belching, abdominal distension, epigastric distension and depression (as well as seven others).
To diagnose a pattern, analyzing a patient's pulse as well as their tongue is common practice. In the case of Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach patients tend to exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue with thick coating.
Patterns aren't exactly the Chinese Medicine equivalent to Western diseases, they're rather the underlying causes behind diseases or health conditions. Here Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach is thought to sometimes induce conditions such as morning sickness.
Diagnosing Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick coating
Tongue color: Red
Main symptoms: Belching Dry mouth Depression Dry throat Acid reflux Irritability Poor appetite Vomiting of food Abdominal distension Epigastric distension Desire for sour foods
Treating Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
Herbal formulas used to treat Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Regulates the flow of Qi, treats esophageal spasm. Clears Phlegm.
Formula summary
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach, Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is also used to treat Stomach Qi Stagnation or Heart Qi Stagnation.
Zuo Jin Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Heat. Directs Rebellious Qi downward. Stops vomiting.
Formula summary
Zuo Jin Wan is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1481 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat.
Besides Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach, Zuo Jin Wan is also used to treat Stomach Qi Stagnation.
Special highlight: the link between morning sickness and Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the key herb for Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, a formula used for morning sickness caused by Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach
Typical symptoms for morning sickness caused by Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach: Belching Dry mouth Depression Dry throat Acid reflux Irritability Poor appetite Vomiting of food Abdominal distension Epigastric distension Desire for sour foods
Recommended herbal formulas: Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, Zuo Jin Wan
Compared to Stomach Deficiency, morning sickness due to Liver Qi Stagnation is much more severe. Affected women may vomit food and drinks right after ingesting them. The frequent vomiting can last beyond the first 3 months of pregnancy. It is more common among women who have pre-existing Liver Qi issues. Emotional stress such as anger, resentment or frustration are the main reasons for Liver issues.
Like with Stomach Deficiency, Blood and Qi disharmony in the Penetrating Vessel is the...Read more about morning sickness