Liver Qi Stagnation Depression of Qi of Liver - Acupuncture Points

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Liver Qi Stagnation: Depression of Qi of Liver

Jonathan Clogstoun-Willmott
January 7, 2022
Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash
Liver Qi Stagnation is very common in both sexes, but probably slightly more so in women.
This is such an important subject that we’ve actually got a page on just Qi stagnation
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/qi-stagnation.html ), which helps to explain how it causes
other more serious conditions.
Liver Qi Stagnation Symptoms include:
1 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
Liver Qi Stagnation: Depression of Qi of Liver - Acupuncture Points https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-qi-stagnation.html
• distension in the abdomen and
• distending pain in the sides (the costal hypochondriac (http://medical- (https://www.acupunctur

dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/hypochondriac+region ) region)
• a distending sensation in the chest (sometimes people say their chest feels ‘stu�y’ or

‘blocked up’)
• … and/or breasts ie before periods, your breasts feel stretched or bursting – and

sometimes do get larger for a few days, uncomfortably
• chest discomfort
• belching
• sighing
• sensation of a foreign body – something ‘stuck’ – in the – throat
• irregular menses
There is usually an emotional dimension too

A strong tendency to feel depressed with frequent sighing, self-doubt, crying and impatience,
even outbreaks of temper. Also hypochondria, worrying that something is wrong with you.
Often bowel movements are uncomfortable or di�cult, or there is pain in the bowels relieved
by bowel movements. Pain tends to be tightening, drawing, pulling or it may move around from
place to place.
Liver qi stagnation tongue (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/tongue-diagnosis.html ):

colour may be normal or red at the sides, with a thin coating
Pulse (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/pulse-diagnosis.html ): wiry
The key symptoms are this feeling of distension , or what some people call a ‘stu�y’ feeling, eg
in the chest, and the emotional picture .
Mostly these sensations aren’t caused by any organic change in the liver organ itself. Instead,
they’re from emotional factors, the main ones being anger or frustration . (However, other
emotions can cause it too.) These cause dysfunction along the Liver acupuncture channel
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/acupuncture-meridians.html ) where the sensations are
experienced. (Sometimes you get these sensations along the Gallbladder channel – the Liver’s
paired organ – too.)
2 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
By the way, when you have Stagnant Liver Qi, you may not realise it. You’ll just be depressed,
moody, angry or upset! (Others will notice, however.)
Apart from taking some exercise to help improve your condition, don’t try to treat yourself
unless you really know what you’re doing!
Penny Brohn (she who started the Bristol Cancer Help Centre
(http://www.pennybrohncancercare.org/ )) once remarked that ‘sick people’ take ‘sick’
decisions. That de�nitely applies to anyone with Liver Qi Stagnation.
Bringing together what needs to be done is one of your Liver (https://www.acupuncture-

points.org/liver-functions.html ) energy’s functions. When your Liver Qi isn’t �owing smoothly
you’ll tend to do the wrong thing. Partly that will also be because your Gallbladder energy isn’t
working properly, the Gallbladder (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/gallbladder.html ) being
the ‘partner’ of your Liver.
Or you’ll feel powerless to decide what’s right for you.
Get someone else to treat you!
3 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
Acupuncture consultation
Other reasons for distension

Organic changes resembling Stagnant Liver qi can be caused by enlargement of the liver
organ, hepatitis and cirrhosis…
Distension of the abdomen can also arise in many other conditions that include Stagnant Liver
Qi as part of their symptom picture.
Just a few examples:
• eating a diet too high in sugars or in foods that turn rapidly to sugar (high glycaemic
foods) leads to excess lactic acid, which can produce distension, along with many other
problems. Of course, the fact that you are eating this kind of food may be because you
are feeling depressed or emotional. So, indirectly, this could also be due to Liver Qi
stagnation, as well as cause or worsen it.
• distension occurs from poor tone, over-eating and increase in ‘�ab’ and fats in the
abdomen
• loss of vital �uids including blood can lead to �atulent bloating.
There are many more examples, but the distension related to Stagnant Liver Qi is usually
dependent on emotional factors, so it comes and goes depending on how good you’re feeling
about yourself.
Another pointer to it being Stagnant Liver Qi is that distension doesn’t always occur over the
whole area of the abdomen. Instead it might just be over parts of it. Palpating the distended
area often makes the distension move elsewhere, like gas. (And yes, Liver Qi stagnation often
does cause �atulence – ‘gas’!)
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Stagnant Liver qi can a�ect other energy organs (the Chinese medical name for them is zang-
fu (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/zang-fu.html )) such as the Stomach
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/stomach.html ), Spleen (https://www.acupuncture-
points.org/spleen.html ), Heart (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/heart.html ), Lungs
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/lung-qi.html ), and other channels and organs, such as
the oesophagus.
In practice (ie clinically) you don’t often get all these symptoms at the same time. For example,
distending pains in the costal (side) and hypochondria and lower abdomen seldom coexist.
(https://www.acupuncture-
points.org/video-consultation.html )
Book here
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/video-consultation.html )
How do you get Liver Qi Stagnation?

The main cause is mental ‘irritation’.
This is a nice term covering many mental and emotional conditions, including anger,
resentment, fear, frustration and melancholy. Being urged to do something when there isn’t
5 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
time for it is a classic for producing this syndrome – especially if you don’t want to do it, or
can’t see why it should be done at all, either now, or by you.
One of the reasons Eastern philosophies emphasise the importance of a calm mind is to
minimise the likelihood of Stagnant Liver Qi.
If Qi is �owing smoothly, then Liver Qi stagnation doesn’t occur. Any action or therapy which
eases the �ow of Liver Qi will ease Liver Qi stagnation. For example, taking exercise is often
e�ective as it pushes Qi round the body, so it can’t stagnate.
Exercise – Photo by Aan Nizal on Unsplash
6 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
Problems arise where circumstances prevent free motion of Qi. For example, if someone is
criticised by other people but dare not speak up despite his anger, you have a recipe for
Stagnant Liver qi. (https://www.acupunctur
E�ects on other organs

Where Stagnant Liver Qi ‘attacks’ the Stomach (https://www.acupuncture-points.org
/stomach.html ), the descending function of the Stomach will be disrupted and so there may be
not only the usual Liver Qi stagnation symptoms such as distension and a stu�y feeling in the
chest, but also nausea, sighing or belching.
If the chief pain is in your epigastrium (the area above your belly-button and below your ribs)
and is better for belching, always suspect Liver Qi stagnation �rst.
If Liver qi stagnation ‘attacks’ your oesophagus (the tube from your throat to your stomach), it
will feel like a foreign object is stuck in your throat, blocking it. This is traditionally described as
being like a stuck ‘plum-stone’, but you might feel it as the inability to swallow, or a tightness
there. Often it can feel like phlegm in your throat – but you can’t hawk it up or swallow it down.
Sometimes this feel temporarily better when eating, especially when swallowing solid food, but
it soon returns.
A characteristic of Liver Qi stagnation is that, unless it has been around for a long time, the
symptoms tend to go when the problem is solved or when you are not thinking about it.
It also eases when you are laughing, because laughing – assuming it is from something joyfully
funny – moves your energy out of what is called your Wood phase and on into what is called
your Fire phase. Find out more about these Wood and Fire phases in our page on the Five
Elements (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/5-elements-acupuncture.html ), an important
theory in Chinese medicine. Also, there’s far more about it in my book on Qi Stagnation, see
below.
Menstrual problems
7 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
When the Chong channel (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/chong-mo.html ) (sometimes

called the Penetrating channel) is a�ected by this syndrome, you get irregular menses and
abdominal pain. The Chong channel, one of the ‘extra-ordinary’ channels, is also called the ‘Sea
of Blood’ and is intimately connected with the quantity, quality and �ow of Blood
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/blood.html ).
Being intimately connected to the monthly cycle, the chong channel is also a�ected by Qi
stagnation. Indeed, one could say that the monthly cycle can produce or exacerbate Liver Qi
stagnation if there is the slightest trace of Qi stagnation around in the �rst place.
You can read even more about how Liver Qi Stagnation, this most vital of the Liver functions,
a�ects your life, here. (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/qi-stagnation.html )
8 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
Liver Qi Stagnation Exercise

To make Liver Qi stagnation worse, just don’t move! (So that makes anyone glued(https://www.acupunctur
to their seat
for hours more susceptible to Liver Qi stagnation. O�ce workers, beware!)
To make it better, move .
Is any particular movement best? No, but the more all parts of your body move, the better! So
you would expect the following to be good:
• walking
• running
• many forms of ‘abandoned’ dancing, jiving and twisting
• swimming
• many competitive sports, including football, tennis, squash, hockey, rugby
• horse-riding
9 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
Photo by Abbat
Ideally do it so you feel out of breath and hot. Then you know that your blood is being pushed
round your body, clearing away stagnation.
Of course, if you are weak, old, ill or exhausted, take advice �rst, and build up your exercise
gradually.
It is usually better not to exercise on an empty stomach. But it is also better not to exercise
immediately after a large meal: give your stomach time to digest it.
After exercising, if you have become hot or perspiring, as you cool down keep clear of drafts,
and cover up. Otherwise you’ll become susceptible to an invasion of Wind-Cold
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/wind-cold.html ). You most de�nitely don’t want that.
Liver Qi Stagnation Diet

First, avoid what usually makes Liver Qi Stagnation worse!
If you come from a Western Christian background there’s a simple way to remember the list:
just don’t eat anything you look forward to eating or drinking at Christmas. (This works, even
for Brussels Sprouts, which are actually good for the Liver, but of course only peculiar uncles
look forward to eating them, though turkey in the list below is the odd one out.)
General advice re Liver Qi Stagnation Diet

• eat when relaxed and comfortable
• Avoid eating when doing something else, like driving, reading, working, watching TV or in
haste
• CHEW slowly and well before swallowing
• Eat cooked food that is warm when eaten
10 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
• eat larger meals in the morning, smaller in the evening, and very little if tired
• avoid eating inside the 3 hours before sleep (https://www.acupunctur

• do not over-eat at any time; eat enough but not so much that you couldn’t eat more
• eat organic produce if possible
• learn about the Five Elements (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/5-elements-

acupuncture.html ) and the �avours that go with them, then try to eat at least some foods
from each �avour (sour, bitter, sweet, pungent, salty) daily
• drink �uids that are warm to the touch. Avoid drinking too much water, especially if cold
or chilled.
Next, AVOID –
11 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
Caution! Photo by Marvin Esteve
• alcohol (However, a very little alcohol can help a bit. How much! Theoretically a few
teaspoons but who’s going to stop there?! I suggest, half a glass of warm red wine, or half
a glass of (not chilled) beer. No more!)
• co�ee (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/co�ee.html ) (Theoretically, about a

thimble’s worth of co�ee may help liver qi stagnation, but who’s going to stop there?! So
probably better not to risk it, because too much makes it worse.)
• most dairy food (milk, cheese, cream, ice-cream)
• fried and fatty food
• highly spiced food
• processed and ‘junk’ foods
• red meat
• sugar and sweets including chocolate
• turkey
Foods for Liver Qi stagnation

As part of your liver qi stagnation diet, DO EAT regularly
foods from this list:
• green vegetables incuding
• cabbage,
• broccoli,
• shard,
• kale,
• celery,
• aubergine (egg-plant),
12 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
• leeks
• kelp – also: (https://www.acupunctur

• plums
• basil – small amounts, eg in salads or added to cooked dishes
• coconut milk
• simple white rice, eg basmati unless you are constipated, in which take more brown rice,
well-cooked and chewed well
Liver Qi Stagnation Herbs
13 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
Read the instructions! Photo by John Baker
Herbs have little nutrition, but can pack a big punch when they incline your metabolism to react
in particular ways.
Unlike vegetables and most foods, of which you would have to eat lots before noticing ill-
e�ects, herbs work fast .
Consequently, there are (tiresome) ifs and buts about using them. Hence, you’ll see the name
of the herb followed by some do’s and don’ts.
It’s important to observe these strictures . How did we arrive at them? From bitter experience
over millennia! Don’t ignore this valuable source of experience!
Liver Qi stagnation nearly always generates Heat and Yang, so herbs for it are mostly cooling
and taste bitter.
Be careful to take small doses, as recommended by manufacturers : it is easy to over-dose

then feel much worse than before! Then you’ll be casting about for someone to blame – well,
don’t blame me!
Listed below are some cold, bitter herbs, which may be available in your country.
Of course, take them in warm water to o�set their chilling properties.
And, before you rush out to buy them, please read my disclaimer! (https://www.acupuncture-
points.org/acupuncture-points-disclaimer.html )
Here’s a list of liver qi stagnation herbs!
• Gentian (you get this for example in Swedish Bitters (https://amzn.to/39vuYuE )). However,
avoid if you have diarrhoea from Spleen qi or yang de�ciency (https://www.acupuncture-
points.org/spleen-yang.html ). Decoction 4-8gm.
• Centaury (https://amzn.to/3ue5JEV ) also known as Feverfew (https://amzn.to/3rLCfN0 )

– however centaury is contraindicated during pregnancy. Also, take it in small amounts
(2-4 mls) on an empty stomach.
• Fringe tree root bark: usually safe to take, but read the instructions. Not easy to obtain,
14 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
but you can pick it yourself, in season: in the UK it’s known as Old Man’s Beard
(Chionanthus virginicus L.)
Photo by Tamanna Rumee
• Turmeric (https://amzn.to/3fxfmur ) (Curcumin): however, avoid unless you also have

Blood stagnation (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/blood-stasis.html ). Also avoid if
you have yin de�ciency (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/yin-de�ciency.html ). Click
to read more about when Turmeric is useful (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/how-
to-take-turmeric.html ). Dose, in decoction 5-15g.
15 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
• Wormwood (https://amzn.to/2PtM8lg ). This (artemesia absinthium L.) is also called

absinth, and there’s a delightful French alcoholic drink of the same name: it’s also in
Vermouth. Unfortunately, these beverages include alcohol (well, obviously.) You need
very little wormwood, so be careful. Usually it comes in an infusion or tincture, taken
before and after meals a few drops at a time in warm water. Don’t take it for more than
4 weeks at a time . Contraindicated during pregnancy and while breast-feeding. Also,
avoid if you have cerebral congestion, or Stomach Heat (https://www.acupuncture-
points.org/stomach-damp-heat.html ).
• Milk thistle seed (https://amzn.to/3uinGSV ) (carduus marianus L.). Usually safe to take,
but read the instructions. Dose 8-14g.
Syndromes of the Liver in Chinese Medicine

1. Liver Qi Stagnation (this page)
2. Liver Fire (‘�are-up of Fire in the Liver’)

(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-�re.html )
3. Cold stagnation in the Liver channel

(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-channel-cold-stagnation.html )
4. Stagnation of Liver Blood

(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-blood-stagnation.html )
5. Liver Wind (‘Stirring of Liver Wind by Heat’)

(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-wind.html )
6. Damp-heat of Liver and Gall-Bladder

(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-damp-heat.html )
7. Liver Yin de�ciency

(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-yin-de�ciency.html )
8. Liver Yang rising

(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-yang.html )
9. Liver Blood de�ciency (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-blood-de�ciency.html )
Return from Liver Qi Stagnation to Liver Functions (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-
16 of 26 4/07/2022, 8:53 pm
functions.html )
(https://www.acupuncture-
points.org/video-consultation.html )
Book here
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/video-consultation.html )
Check my collection of books: (https://www.acupuncture-

points.org/books.html )
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org
/books.html ) (https://www.acupuncture-points.org
/books.html )
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/books.html )
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2 Responses
November 25, 2021 at 4:14 am (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-qi-stagnation.html#comment-

Gary Hart 15774)
says:
I have a serious case of cirrosis of the liver…I think my spleen qi is quite weak?
Any advice is appreciated.
Reply
Taste in Chinese Medicine (https://www.acupuncture-points.org

/taste-in-chinese-medicine.html )
November 25, 2021 at 10:11 am (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-qi-
↪ Taste in Jonathan Clogstoun-
Chinese medicine describes,stagnation.html#comment-15778
like short-hand, what foods ) and herbs can do for your health.
Willmott says:
Discover the right balance!
Hi Gary, from the point of view of Chinese medicine, knowing you have liver cirrhosis is not in itselt
helpful.
READ MOREOne» needs symptoms to be able to identify the zangfu annd syndromes a�ected.
(HTTPS://WWW.ACUPUNCTURE-POINTS.ORG/TASTE-IN-CHINESE-MEDICINE.HTML )
For example, if you look at my page on Stomach and Spleen de�ciency (https://www.acupuncture-
points.org/stomach-and-spleen-de�ciency.html ) you may be able to con�rm if that is your
problem.
As you will be aware, there are many possible causes of liver cirrhosis in Western medicine and
potential causes in Chinese medicine include Damp-Heat a�ecting the Gallbladder
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/gallbladder-damp-heat.html ) and Liver Damp Heat
(https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-damp-heat.html ).
On the latter page is advice as to what you can do. But of course, these two are not the only
possible syndromes leading to or describing liver cirrhosis so they may or may not apply to you.
Sorry I can’t be more speci�c. Jonathan
Reply
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Liver Qi Stagnation: Depression of Qi of Liver

Photo by Anh Nguyen on Unsplash

Liver Qi Stagnation Symptoms include:

• distension in the abdomen and

• distending pain in the sides (the costal hypochondriac (http://medical- (https://www.acupunctur

• a distending sensation in the chest (sometimes people say their chest feels ‘stu�y’ or

• … and/or breasts ie before periods, your breasts feel stretched or bursting – and

• sensation of a foreign body – something ‘stuck’ – in the – throat

There is usually an emotional dimension too

Liver qi stagnation tongue (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/tongue-diagnosis.html ):

Bringing together what needs to be done is one of your Liver (https://www.acupuncture-

Or you’ll feel powerless to decide what’s right for you.

Get someone else to treat you!

Other reasons for distension

Just a few examples:

• loss of vital �uids including blood can lead to �atulent bloating.

How do you get Liver Qi Stagnation?

Exercise – Photo by Aan Nizal on Unsplash

E�ects on other organs

When the Chong channel (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/chong-mo.html ) (sometimes

Liver Qi Stagnation Exercise

To make it better, move .

• many forms of ‘abandoned’ dancing, jiving and twisting

• many competitive sports, including football, tennis, squash, hockey, rugby

Liver Qi Stagnation Diet

General advice re Liver Qi Stagnation Diet

• CHEW slowly and well before swallowing

• Eat cooked food that is warm when eaten

• avoid eating inside the 3 hours before sleep (https://www.acupunctur

• eat organic produce if possible

• learn about the Five Elements (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/5-elements-

Caution! Photo by Marvin Esteve

• co�ee (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/co�ee.html ) (Theoretically, about a

• most dairy food (milk, cheese, cream, ice-cream)

• fried and fatty food

• highly spiced food

• processed and ‘junk’ foods

• sugar and sweets including chocolate

Foods for Liver Qi stagnation

• kelp – also: (https://www.acupunctur

• basil – small amounts, eg in salads or added to cooked dishes

Liver Qi Stagnation Herbs

Be careful to take small doses, as recommended by manufacturers : it is easy to over-dose

Of course, take them in warm water to o�set their chilling properties.

Here’s a list of liver qi stagnation herbs!

• Centaury (https://amzn.to/3ue5JEV ) also known as Feverfew (https://amzn.to/3rLCfN0 )

Photo by Tamanna Rumee

• Turmeric (https://amzn.to/3fxfmur ) (Curcumin): however, avoid unless you also have

• Wormwood (https://amzn.to/2PtM8lg ). This (artemesia absinthium L.) is also called

Syndromes of the Liver in Chinese Medicine

2. Liver Fire (‘�are-up of Fire in the Liver’)

3. Cold stagnation in the Liver channel

4. Stagnation of Liver Blood

5. Liver Wind (‘Stirring of Liver Wind by Heat’)

6. Damp-heat of Liver and Gall-Bladder

7. Liver Yin de�ciency

8. Liver Yang rising

9. Liver Blood de�ciency (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-blood-de�ciency.html )

Return from Liver Qi Stagnation to Liver Functions (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/liver-

Check my collection of books: (https://www.acupuncture-

Tags: Digestion (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/tag/digestion ), Men

Categories: Causes of disease (https://www.acupuncture-points.org/category/causes-of-

Contraindications for Acupuncture (https://www.acupuncture-