Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Chai Hu is one of the most commonly used herbs to regulate the liver Qi and treat Qi stagnation, so it can be used in formulas targeting depression, stress, tension headaches, and menstrual pain. Certain foods and spices can help eliminate stagnation in the Liver, and produce a clear flow of energy. Purchase Liver Support herbs for dogs here! Because Qi (in Chinese medicine) moves Blood, the Blood stops moving too.Then you have this syndrome of stagnation or stasis of Liver Blood.. ", Nicholas Schnell, Clinical Herbalist (2002 East West School Graduate), "I really enjoyed these last lessons the most of all in the course. This entry was posted in Woman's Health and tagged chinese herbs, deficiency, herb, herbal, herbs, hot flashes, kidney, liver qi stagnation, severe, stress, tcm on December 11, 2011 by Catherine. Tonifies the Spleen, tonifies Qi, moistens the Lungs, clears Heat and moderates and To effectively treat liver Qi stagnation Cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, mustard greens, turnip, kale all can help move qi! ", Aviva Romm, MD (1992 East West School Graduate), "The direct clinical work gave me the experience of working with clients in a more formal manner and an effective mechanism for providing follow up care. It is comprehensive and includes Chinese, Ayurvedic and western herbs and principles. Pungent/aromatic foods are your friends. Secondly, stop eating when 80% full. In Western herbalism this includes carminatives. Two formulas are indicated for liver fire: Long dan xie gan tang and dang gui long hui wan. The quality and effectiveness of Remove Stagnation Formula is totally dependent upon the aromatic oils in the herbs. Common symptoms of liver Qi stagnation include irritability, anger, tension headaches, migraines, trouble sleeping, PMS, irregular menstrual cycles and just a general stagnation of feeling stuck or blocked. ", Michelle Collins, Clinical Herbalist, RH (AHG), MPH (East West School Graduate), East West Clinical Herbalist (EWCH) Program, Professional Herbalist Course Payment Plan, 2021 Seminar Online Foundation Track, April 23-30, 2021, 2021 Intermediate Track Online Seminar, April 23-30, 2021, 2021 Advanced Track Online Seminar, April 23-30, 2021, Obtaining an Herbalist Certification or Herbalist Degree, Online Herbal Seminar: 2021 Seminar Registration, Cancer Its causes, symptoms and treatment (book), In Part 1 we learned about the many signs and symptoms of Qi stagnation and its far reaching affects on physical and mental health. Although we always stress Liver-Qi stagnation, practically all organs may suffer from Qi stagnation and I will discuss particularly three: Liver, Lungs and Heart. This is the time when the Liver has a lot of work to do to move Qi and Blood to prepare for the menses. Lemon juice also helps decongest the liver. Use radish, basil, cilantro, arugula, coriander seed, ", --Jill Ruttenberg, Clinical Herbalist (2000 East West School Graduate), "The credibility of graduating from the program also has great respect nation wide. Milk thistle, dandelion greens and root, garlic, onions, turmeric, and common kitchen spices such as It also has a function of harmonizing the liver and the spleen energy systems, for treating indigestion, bloating and flank pain. Liver Qi Stagnation in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The Liver and Liver Qi Stagnation Spring is ruled by the wood element, which is associated with the liver, an organ with an incredible capacity for regeneration. XML MAP | 2018 (c) Copyright East West School of Herbology ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Online Professional Herbalist School: Learn from the Best, "This course and the additional books and courses which it has led me to, has given me a solid foundation from which to grow. To effectively treat liver Qi stagnation, other supportive energy systems must also be moved or nourished, depending on the person. Chinese herbs can be a very useful treatment for moving stuck liver Qi Signs of Qi Stagnation: In terms of symptoms, Qi Stagnation has far-reaching effects on the body. These two formulas treat most symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation. For depression caused by liver qi stagnation, Xiao Yao Wan, an herbal Bupleurum and Dang Gui Formula (Rambling Powder, Xiao Yao San,or in Planetary Formulas: Bupleurum Calmative): Bupleurum and Peony Formula (Jia Wei Xiao Yao San): Uses: Both formulas regulate the function of the Liver and Spleen, move Liver Qi stagnation and replenish Blood. If you have any questions related to your condition you should contact your doctor or healthcare provider. Melia (Sichuan chinaberry, Sichuan pagoda tree; Bupleurum and Chih Shih Formula (Frigid Extremities Powderor, Powder to Disperse Vital Energy in the Liver (. Common symptoms of liver Qi stagnation include irritability, anger, tension headaches, migraines, trouble sleeping, PMS, irregular menstrual cycles and just a general stagnation of feeling stuck or blocked. Lifestyle Therapies: To rebalance the Liver, go to sleep by 11 PM at the latest, move regularly through walking, dancing, swimming, cycling, jogging, exercise, hiking (especially in the woods), Tai Chi, Qi Gong, yoga or another physical activity and regular exercise, and engage in creative projects as this releases pent-up Liver energy and moves Qi. Some symptoms said to be caused by liver qi stagnation Herbs & Spices: Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Chamomile, Basil, Turmeric, Cardamom, Cumin, Fennel, Dill, Ginger, Bay Leaf, Marjoram, Rosemary, Sage, Anise, Citrus Peel, Parsley. Find work and jobs you enjoy and are fulfilling.Alternate work with rest and play as over-working can cause this pattern. Stress knots the Qi (energy) and makes its flow stagnate this happens most quickly in the liver energy system. This encompasses so many herbs and formulas that we cant cover them all here, but Ill give you enough juicy ones to start exploring. Eat your greens. Do cupping (especially over the back), dermal hammer where needed, breathing exercises, abdominal massage, massage therapies, singing and wear a haramaki around the waist to keep the kidneys warm, the mother of the Liver. All Rights Reserved. Beef, chicken livers, celery, kelp, mussels, nori, plums, basil, bay leaves, beets, black pepper, saffron, cabbage, eggplant, coconut milk, garlic, ginger, leeks, peaches, scallions and rosemary. COVID-19: Remote consultations are now available via Telehealth, make your appointment online. Typically, they are combined with Blood-moving herbs as Qi and Blood are intricately intertwined. Chinese herbs are safe and effective when prescribed by a licensed practitioner. Qi-moving herbs are rarely used alone; rather they are combined with others based upon the nature of the condition being treated. Because bupleurum is one of the major Qi-moving herbs, there are literally dozens of formulas based on this herb alone. For this reason, when one tonifies Qi, its important to tonify Blood and when one moves Qi, its also important to move Blood. ", "What drew me to East - West was the uniqueness of the course. Likewise, if the liver energy system is weak or stagnant (from lifestyle choices, diet, trauma, emotional stress, illness or genetic factors), Qi flow throughout the body may be impaired. TCM practitioners often offer acupuncture treatment combined with herbal formula to treat depression. Common symptoms of liver Qi stagnation include irritability, anger, tension headaches, migraines, trouble sleeping, PMS, irregular menstrual cycles and just a general stagnation of feeling stuck or blocked. I have not walked into a health food store or met an herbalist who wasn't familiar with Michael Tierra. Medically reviewed by Common symptoms of liver Qi stagnation include irritability, anger, tension headaches, migraines, trouble sleeping, PMS, irregular menstrual cycles and just a general stagnation of feeling stuck or blocked. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention. Chai Hu (Bupleurum root) is the principle Chinese herb in the treatment of Liver Qi stagnation causing emotional disturbance. Xiang Fu moves the Qi but is said to move the blood within the Qi, meaning it can move stuck blood by moving the Qi, and that it is a powerful Qi mover. a) Heat from Liver-Qi stagnation Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Chai Hu is one of the most commonly used herbs to regulate the liver Qi and treat Qi stagnation, so it can be used in formulas targeting depression, stress, tension Disclaimer: This article contains general information about health topics but does not constitute medical advice. Liver qi is said to be responsible to a large degree for the movement of qi through the body. Above all, do not repress or stuff your emotions, as this is what helped create these physical symptoms in the first place. This means that if Qi flow is impaired (ie, by stress), the liver system will suffer. Foods to Avoid: Avoid fried, fatty and oily foods, nuts and nut butters, avocados, cheese and dairy, chips of all kinds, turkey and red meats, alcohol, spicy foods, caffeinated foods and drinks, coffee, black tea, cocoa, colas and chocolate, recreational drugs and stimulants. Foods to Eat: Foods that decongest and aid the Liver include vegetables, bitter foods and dark leafy greens such as kale, collards, dandelion, mustard, beet and mustard greens. They really challenged me to apply and think about what I have been learning. Other Therapies: Participate in regular life activities, sex and exercise as regularity of habits helps regulate Qi. Late night eating creates stagnation in the liver and prevents our body from cleaning and repairing at night. With Dang Gui, harmonizes, nourishes and invigorates the Blood and disperses Blood Stasis. Again, because the Liver is in charge of the smooth flow of Qi, this pattern is called Liver Qi Stagnation. They can be further aggravated by Blood or Yin deficiency leading to Heat. As well, rose buds make a wonderful jam, delighting the senses and spirit as well as moving Qi. Ever hear of that saying, Do acts of kindness? Such actions actually cultivate the positive aspects of the Liver and help Qi flow smoothly and regularly. Invigorates the Blood, promotes the movement of Qi and alleviates pain. Liver Qi Stagnation, also known as Liver Qi Constraints is arguably the most common pattern of imbalance seen in western culture. Digestive disorders are most often caused by Spleen Qi deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation or a combination of both. Herbal Therapy: Finally herbal therapy for Qi stagnation! Dragon Herbs takes extreme care to maintain all the aromatic oils in this important formula. Log in, Acupuncture: The Original Biohack for Migraines. The liver, in TCM, is in charge of the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body. Of course youll be immediately interested in the herbs and formulas to use, but first Ill cover other therapies since they are integral, even essential, to preventing and treating this issue. The health of your liver Emotional Therapy: Turning the vices of the Liver into virtues helps smooth Liver Qi Stagnation. Terms of Use. In this segment well cover how to treat and prevent Qi stagnation. Kitchen medicine: For quick use around the home, I find citrus peel tea to be very effective to move Qi. It is an excellent herb for gynecological issues stemming from liver Qi stagnation. It has rising action, so it needs to be used cautiously in patients with high blood pressure, but making it ideal for patients with sinking energy causing issues such as prolapse or hemorrhoids. This is followed with fennel seed tea. First of all, herbs that move Qi are those that help it move smoothly, regularly and in the right direction. They are used for anemia, costal pain, headache, mouth and throat dryness, dizziness, lassitude, loss of appetite, irregular menses, leukorrhea, uterine bleeding, PMS, mood swings, depression, breast distention, chronic hepatitis, and alternating chills and fevers as in shao yang stage diseases. However, it also has the function of moving liver Qi, so it can be added to formulas for symptoms such as chest and flank pain, muscle pain or menstrual pain. For computer work (and other electronic tools) and desk jobs, be sure to move and/or stretch for five minutes every 30 60 minutes. To clear Heat deriving from Qi stagnation, we need to use herbs and formulae from the AMoving Qi@ category and adapt them to clear Heat. For this reason, these herbs are almost never taken alone, but rather as part of a formula targeting liver Qi stagnation as well as the pattern on which it occurs. ), safflower, trillium, false It can, therefore, be used to treat menstrual issues, emotional issues, PMS, temporal headaches or pain along the sides of the body. Safe home treatments for liver Qi stagnation include mint tea, turmeric tea, and exercise. Liver Herbs for the Menses Herbs to relieve liver Qi stagnation: Boldo, fringetree bark, bupleurum, artichoke leaf Emmenagogues Mugwort, pulsatilla (highly diluted! Chinese herbs can be a very useful treatment for moving stuck liver Qi and helping it to flow smoothly, to reduce these sorts of symptoms. watercress onions turmeric basil bayleaf cardamom marjoram cumin fennel dill black pepper rosemary lemon balm mint mustard greens Non-pungent anti - stagnation foods : beets taro root strawberry Chinese herbs can be a very useful treatment for moving stuck liver Qi Chinese Herbs for Depression. When the liver fire invades the stomach, or the stagnant stomach qi Perhaps one of the best known is Bupleurum and Dang Gui Formula (Xiao Yao San) and its variation, Bupleurum and Peony Combination (Jia Wei Xiao Yao San). Webmail However, it has a secondary function of mildly soothing the liver Qi. Fo Shou (Finger Citron Fruit, Buddhas Hand): Fo Shou is another herb that directly regulates the liver Qi, specifically for symptoms such as rib pain or belching. It also strengthens the digestive system through tonifying the spleen and stomach, as well as drying dampness and transforming phlegm to treat chronic wet coughs. ", "Even more important, the support and encouragement the Michael and Lesley continue to provide their former students, particularly in relationship to being active in the AHG is excellent. Happy Spring to you! Yu Jin (Turmeric Tuber): Yu Jin is an herb used to move stuck blood. Long Gu is fossilized bone and Mu Li is Oyster shell, both of which supply a Go to sleep by 11 pm at the latest since the Wood Element time of the Liver and Gallbladder does its major work from 11 pm 3 am (if theres also Deficient Kidney Yin, go to bed by 9 9:30 PM). Caution: Because Qi-moving herbs tend to be warming and drying, use with caution in those with Deficient Blood or Yin, or Excess Heat; because they are dispersing, use with caution if theres Deficient Qi. The liver fails to govern the free flow of qi and long-term unresolved liver qi stagnation tends to transform into liver fire, which leads to irritability, and bitter taste in the mouth, etc. Winter is the time for foods with a more warming and sinking energy, to match the energy of Wood Element Patter combined with Earth Element Spleen Qi Pattern Prolonged Liver Qi Stagnation combined with Spleen Qi Deficiency leads to Damp-Heat. Pepper, all members of the onion family and garlic Xiang Fu (Cyperus Rhizome): Xiang Fu directly spreads and regulates liver Qi, for treating symptoms such as hypochondriac pain, menstrual pain, irregular periods, epigastric pain and stress. For the most effective and safe treatment, consult a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Powder to Disperse Vital Energy in the Liver ( Chai Hu Shu Gan San) With Dang Gui, Tao Ren and Hong Hua, for headaches from Blood Stagnation. Chinese herbs can be a very useful treatment for moving stuck liver Qi Leafy, upward growing greens nourish the Blood and gently move your Liver qi. When searching for the underlying cause of disease, practitioners of Chinese medicine often look first to the liver. Examples include: Qi-regulating herbs tend to be aromatic, warm and acrid or bitter in energy, treating symptoms of pain that comes and goes, and/or changes location and severity; distention, stifling feelings in the chest, belching, nausea, vomiting, wheezing, acid regurgitation, loss of appetite, diarrhea or alternating diarrhea or constipation, pain in the flanks or under the ribs, depression, mood swings, and hernias. May your Qi flow smoothly and your energy rise with the sap in trees! Newsletter | Sample Lesson | Students Only. Chinese herbs are safe and effective when prescribed by a licensed practitioner. Of course my new book, Metaphor-phosis: Transform Your Stories from Pain to Power, is a perfect tool to help you do this! We often say in Traditional Chinese Medicine that the liver is the system most easily susceptible to stress. A good morning liver cleanse is a fresh squeezed lemon in water with 1 or 2 teaspoons of olive oil and a couple of 00 sized capsules of cayenne pepper. Bo He (Field Mint): Bo He is an herb for releasing exterior heat, which means fighting off acute infection with symptoms such as sore throat, fever, cough, and headache. The first is more warming while the second also clears Heat. Fennel seeds, normally found mixed with sugar and taken after dinner in Indian restaurants, are great as a tea, eaten raw or toasted and cooked with vegetables and meats. So one can lead to the other, and to treat it you must also, and first, treat Liver Qi Stagnation. Foods which Stimulate the Liver and Remove Stagnation Moderately pungent foods, spices and herbs: watercress, all the members of onion family, mustard greens, turmeric, basil, bay leaf, cardamom, Liver Qi Stagnation shows up in some women in the week before the menses. With Chai Hu and Chi Shao, for Liver Qi and Blood Stagnation It is therefore frequently used in formulas to treat pain following traumatic injury to an area. Embrace the Brassica! While the Chinese use mandarin orange peels, in Italy I was surprised with lemon peel tea after one dinner. If the Liver is not up for the job, PMS signs such as painful breasts, irritability, mood swings and cramps show up. Related Liver Ingredients: Carthamus flower, Ligusticum rhizome, White Peony root, Dang Gui root, Achyranthes root, Curcuma zedoaria root, Sappan wood. Unfortunately, the symptoms of Liver Blood Stagnation are usually more severe than those of Liver Qi Stagnation. Chinese herbs can be a very useful treatment for moving stuck liver Qi and helping it to flow smoothly, to reduce these sorts of symptoms. The Livers vices are anger and frustration; its virtues are benevolence, forgiveness, esteem, respect and kindness. Overeating creates more pressure on the liver Liver Qi Stagnation. Chai Hu (Bupleurum): Chai Hu is one of the most commonly used herbs to regulate the liver Qi and treat Qi stagnation, so it can be used in formulas targeting depression, stress, tension When liver qi is stagnant, the blood becomes stagnant, creating a variety of issues, many of which may relate to the female reproductive system. The Liver controls the smooth flow of Qi First and foremost to help the liver and gallbladder, try to stop eating 2-3 hours before sleep. Successful Herbs to Move Liver Qi was last modified: April 7th, 2020 by admin, Acupuncture: The Original Biohack for Migraines , Acupuncture Websites designed by AcuPerfect Websites 2020. As such, it can be a great supportive herb for liver Qi stagnation. Womens Health and the Liver. In Part 1 we learned about the many signs and symptoms of Qi stagnation and its far reaching affects on physical and mental health. There are lots of formulas that move the Qi and many are available in Chinese patent teapill form, which are easy to find and take. Herbs for Liver Fire . Is Free and There are many ways to do this; choose ones that express and release emotions in constructive ways and cause no harm to you or others. Common symptoms of liver Qi stagnation include irritability, anger, tension headaches, migraines, trouble sleeping, PMS, irregular menstrual cycles and just a general stagnation of feeling stuck or blocked. 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