Holistic Health Liver Qi Stagnation in Traditional Chinese Medicine By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc on June 06, 2020 facebook twitter linkedin Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, as well as an herbalist and integrative medicine doctor. He operates a private practice in Santa Monica, California. Learn about our Medical Review Board Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc on June 06, 2020 Print Traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, conceives of the human body as a set of inter-related systems that work together in harmony. Problems in one part of the body may be the result of injury to a different part of the body — or to the flow of energy (qi) through the entire body. Traditional Chinese treatment of disorders involves the use of complex prescriptions made up of multiple herbs. Arno Masse / Getty Images What Is Qi? In Chinese philosophy, qi is the life force that flows through all things. Everything in the universe derives from qi. When qi flows properly, all things are in harmony and function correctly; when qi is blocked, problems arise. Within the human body, says this philosophy, qi flows through the organs maintaining health and balance. It is thought to provide the energy needed for our bodies to function, support body temperature, maintain the structure and strength of our organs, and keep our metabolism constant. In order to do all of these things properly, qi must flow through our bodies. Where there are blockages and qi cannot flow, we experience health problems. Liver Qi Stagnation According to traditional Chinese medicine, liver qi can stagnate (become blocked) as a result of stress or anxiety. Liver qi is said to be responsible to a large degree for the movement of qi through the body. When liver qi is stagnant, the blood becomes stagnant, creating a variety of issues, many of which may relate to the female reproductive system. Some symptoms said to be caused by liver qi stagnation include: Pain or discomfort anywhere along the sides of the body DepressionMood swingsSighingHiccupsFrustrated easilyInappropriate angerSensation of a lump in throatDifficulty swallowingBitter taste in mouthExcessive sleepConstipationAbdominal pain and discomfortStomachache that improves after massageStomachache that worsens with angerPMS with irritability or swollen breastsIrregular or painful periodsPoor appetiteChurning sensation in stomach Tongue: Normal tongue, sides may be curled up. Pulse: Wiry pulse Related Conditions MastitisAnxietyDepressionIrregular mensesNervous and emotional disorders Since symptoms of imbalances in alternative medicine may be linked to a number of medical conditions, it's important to consult your physician if you have any health concerns. Self-treating a health condition and avoiding or delaying standard care may have serious consequences. Foods Used to Treat Liver Qi Stagnation These are just some of the foods that are believed to help liver qi stagnation:GarlicTurmericKumquatCherryChickenCoconut meatDateTofuMustard seedSquashSweet potatoRed and black dateRiceCaraway seedSpearmintMushroomOreganoRed beanSweet basilSaffron Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Liu M, Jiang Y, Wang X, Liu Q, Wu H. The Role of Rumination and Stressful Life Events in the Relationship between the Qi Stagnation Constitution and Depression in Women: A Moderated Mediation Model. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2017;2017:7605893. doi:10.1155/2017/7605893 Additional Reading Kaptchuk TJ. The Web That Has No Weaver: Understanding Chinese Medicine. Chicago: Contemporary (McGraw-Hill) 2000 Lu, H. Chinese Natural Cures, New York: Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers, 1994.