Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
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 Qi Stagnation The Liver in Chinese Medicine The concept of Liver Qi Stagnation
Key attributes
Chinese name: 肝郁化火 Pinyin name: Gān Yù Huà Huǒ
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Heat or Fire
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Qi Stagnation Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Common causes: 1. Emotional stress, 2. Diet, 3. Overwork
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Thirst Red face Moodiness Melancholy Depression and eleven other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Red on the sides
Treatment
Treatment principle: Smooth the Liver, move Qi, clear Heat.
Common formulas: Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Pathology
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Heat. It manifests with a feeling of heat, a red face and desire to drink.
From a mental emotional perspective, patients tend to be irritable, anxious, moody and prone to outbursts of anger. This differs from Liver Qi Stagnation where patients are more able to repress their anger.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire can derive from Liver Qi Stagnation Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Emotional stress: Prolonged suppressed or overly expressed frustration, anger or resentment can largely disturb the normal Qi circulation and cause Qi Stagnation in the Liver, which then turns into Heat or Fire.
Diet: Unhealthy diet rich in stimulants, drugs, fatty and oily foods, recreational drugs, alcohol, coffee, black tea can give to Liver Qi Stagnation, which then turns into Heat or Fire.
Overwork: Overwork without sufficient rest over a long term can cause this Liver Qi Stagnation, which then turns into Heat or Fire.
Diagnosing Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
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 description: Red on the sides
Main symptoms: Thirst Red face Moodiness Melancholy Depression Irritability Heavy periods Feeling of heat Outbursts of anger Premenstrual tension Epigastric distension Irregular menstruation Hypochondrial distention Feeling of lump in the throat Premenstrual breast distension Feeling of oppression of the chest
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the feeling of distension and heat, irritability and wiry pulse.
Treating Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Treatment principle
Smooth the Liver, move Qi, clear Heat.
Herbal formulas used to treat Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San
Source date: 2002 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi.
Formula summary
Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is a 8-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 2002 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Liver-Heat.
Besides Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire, Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San is also used to treat Kidney Yin Deficiency.
Diet recommendations
Avoid excessive hot-energy foods (such as red meat, spices and alcohol)
Try other therapies such as cupping over the back and breathing exercises.
Most importantly find a way to deal with negative emotions like anger, frustration, resentment, irritability, mood swings. It is better to express and release them instead of keeping them inside. Find a job or hobby that is enjoyable or fulfilling.
Avoid mental over-work, physical over-exertion or excessive sexual activity. Take proper rest after all these exercises or work. Try going to bed before 11 pm.
Try regular exercises such as Yoga, Tai Chi, or Qi Gong, swimming, dancing or walking in the nature.
Special highlight: the link between menstrual cramps and Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
White Peony Roots (Bai Shao) is the key herb for Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, a formula used for menstrual cramps caused by Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Typical symptoms for menstrual cramps caused by Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire: Anger Thirst Red face Red lips Dizziness Dry stools Irritability Heavy periods Abdominal pain Feeling of heat Menstrual cramps Sore and weak limbs Dark menstrual blood Bitter taste in the mouth
Recommended herbal formulas: Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang, Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
The cramps caused by this pattern usually happens before or during the period. The symptoms are similar to these from Liver Qi Stagnation but more intense. The menstrual blood is dark purple and the flow is heavy. The patients is often irritable and gets angry easily. They feel thirsty and have a sensation of heat in their body. Dry stools is also a typical symptom.
Liver Fire is a consequence of a long-term Stagnation of Liver-Qi. It should be treated by eliminating Stagnation rather than...Read more about menstrual cramps
Special highlight: the link between spontaneous flow of breast milk and Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) is the key herb for Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a formula used for spontaneous flow of breast milk caused by Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire
Typical symptoms for spontaneous flow of breast milk caused by Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire: Thirst Insomnia Headaches Dense milk Irritability Constipation Breast distention Bitter taste in the mouth Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria
Recommended herbal formulas: Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Alongside Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency, Liver Fire is the other key pattern causing a spontaneous flow of breastmilk. Since the Liver is connected to nipples through the Liver Channel, Liver Fire agitates the breast milk and pushes it out. This is a Excess type of pattern, therefore the milk appearance is rather dense and yellow.
Long term emotional stress such as anger, frustration, resentment or a sudden emotional upset can lead to Liver Qi stagnation. If untreated for a while, it can...Read more about spontaneous flow of breast milk
Consequence patterns
Liver Fire can causes Heart Fire, because the Liver is the mother of the Heart according to the Five Phases Theory. Emotional stress such as anger, frustration or resentment can affect the Liver greatly and causes Liver Fire. However, it is the Heart that can feel these emotions as it houses the Mind. Therefore, Liver Fire can transform to Heart Fire.