Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
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? The concept of Dampness The Spleen in Chinese Medicine The Liver in Chinese Medicine The concept of Qi
Key attributes
Chinese name: 脾虚肝郁 Pinyin name: Pí Xū Gān Yù
Pattern nature: Full combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Liver Qi Stagnation
Causes
Precursor patterns: Spleen Qi Deficiency
Common causes: Greasy and dairy foods
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Nausea No appetite Loose stools Irritability Sallow complexion and six other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Thick sticky yellow coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Resolve Dampness, promote the smooth flow of Liver Qi, clear Heat
Common formulas: Ping Wei San Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Pathology
When the Spleen is deficient and fails in its function of transformation and transportation, Fluids accumulate into Dampness.
Dampness then obstructs the Middle Burner which hampers the proper flow of Qi and results in Liver Qi Stagnation.
The relationship is also described in the Five Phases theory, it corresponds to Earth insulting Wood.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation can derive from Spleen Qi Deficiency
Greasy and dairy foods: The excessive consumption of fried, fatty or greasy food as well as dairy products can create Dampness in the Spleen, which will in turn trigger Liver Qi Stagnation by hampering the free flow of Qi.
Diagnosing Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
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): Slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Thick sticky yellow coating
Main symptoms: Nausea No appetite Loose stools Irritability Sallow complexion Hypochondrial pain Feeling of heaviness Epigastric distension Hypochondrial distention Dry mouth with no desire to drink Feeling of oppression and fullness of the epigastrium
Diagnosis commentary: Fullness of epigastrium, hypochondrial distension and a thick sticky yellow tongue coating are enough in and of themselves to diagnose this pattern.
Treating Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Treatment principle
Resolve Dampness, promote the smooth flow of Liver Qi, clear Heat
Herbal formulas used to treat Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Ping Wei San
Source date: 1051 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Dries Dampness. Improves the Spleen's transportive function. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Formula summary
Ping Wei San is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1051 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that transform Dampness and harmonize Stomach.
Besides Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation, Ping Wei San is also used to treat Cold-Damp invading the Spleen or Oedema.
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Liver Blood. Spreads the Liver Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Formula summary
Dang Gui Shao Yao San is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that invigorate Blood and dispel Blood Stagnation.
Besides Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation, Dang Gui Shao Yao San is also used to treat Spleen and Liver Blood Deficiency.
Diet recommendations
Eat a light diet, paying particular attention to steer clear from an excessive amount of fried, fatty or greasy food as well as dairy products.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation can lead to Phlegm
If left untreated Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation can lead to Liver Blood Stagnation
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
If left untreated Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation can lead to Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire