Modern western medicine is highly specialized. Though there are general practitioners who offer primary care for the whole family, these physicians rarely treat complex conditions.

Instead, they refer patients to specialists who limit their practice to specific parts of the body or certain types of illness, such as cardiologists, gastroenterologists, and urologists.

Hepatologists work exclusively with the liver and its supporting structures, managing disorders and diseases that prevent proper organ function. 

Traditional Chinese medicine takes a far different approach. Instead of specializing in particular organs and systems, these practitioners look at the whole body.

They examine all of their patients’ symptoms to pinpoint a diagnosis, then recommend therapies to treat the root cause of the symptoms rather than the symptoms themselves. 

The Root Cause Of Liver Ailment

Often, the root cause of ailments and discomfort is an issue with qi. In traditional Chinese medicine, qi refers to the vital life force and energy that flows throughout all living things.

Good health comes from harmony within a being’s qi. Conversely, bodies begin to experience a variety of issues when there is a lack of balance, or when the flow of qi throughout the body is disrupted or otherwise blocked.

Because the liver plays a critical role in the flow of qi throughout the body, an issue with liver qi can lead to a wide variety of conditions.

What is Liver Qi?

The liver is best known for its work in filtering toxins from the blood, but that is just the tip of the iceberg.

In fact, the liver is responsible for ensuring that nearly every one of the body’s organs and systems functions correctly.

Among other things, it stores and releases critical vitamins and minerals, synthesizes proteins, releases glucose, detoxifies certain metabolites, metabolizes hormones, and secretes digestive biochemicals. 

From a traditional Chinese medicine perspective, the liver controls the flow of qi throughout the body, which impacts everything from mood to blood pressure.

When liver qi is low, stagnate, or out of balance, any number of symptoms may crop up, from depression to constipation.

The good news is that there are a number of effective ways to correct this issue. 

What is a Liver Qi Deficiency?

Because the liver has so many responsibilities, it can be stressed by a poor diet, chronic stress, repressed emotions, excessive alcohol consumption, and other lifestyle choices.

When this occurs, the liver’s vital life force, or qi, is weakened. That reduces its ability to ensure that the body’s qi flows strongly, which leads to a whole host of emotional and physical ailments.

The reduction of qi in the liver is often referred to as liver qi deficiency. 

Symptoms of Low Liver Qi, Liver Qi Imbalance, or Liver Qi Stagnation?

When the liver is unable to properly regulate the flow of qi throughout the body, one of the first signs is a change in mood. Instead of feeling energetic, hopeful, and enthusiastic, you are more likely to feel and express frustration, anger, and general irritability.

Mood swings are common, as is depression, and you might notice that you often sigh. Note that the sighing is less a sign of your mood, and more a sign of your body’s attempt to relieve a sense of pressure and constriction around the chest. 

On the physical side, issues with liver qi may cause generalized discomfort or acute pain in your sides or abdomen. You may notice a bitter taste in your mouth, difficulty swallowing, a feeling of having a lump in your throat, and frequent hiccups.

Women can experience stronger premenstrual syndrome (PMS) that includes swollen breasts, as well as irregular or particularly uncomfortable menstruation. 

Unfortunately, the digestive system is heavily influenced by activity in the liver, which means liver qi stagnation can lead to poor appetite, a feeling of churning in the stomach, and constipation.

Patients often report that they have stomach aches that get worse when they are feeling angry. Emotions are heavily impacted by liver qi, and there is a connection between emotional symptoms and physical symptoms. 

What Emotions are Stored in the Liver?

The signs and symptoms of liver qi stagnation and imbalance include excessive frustration, irritability, and anger, because anger is stored in the liver.

Of course, a certain amount of anger is normal, but when anger is repressed or otherwise not expressed in a healthy manner, it builds up in the liver.

Eventually, those emotions break free to result in alarming behavior that includes expressions of hostility and rage.

Compare this to an earthquake – movement of the earth’s tectonic plates causes a buildup of pressure over time.

For years, casual observers may not see any outward sign of an issue, but suddenly, the pressure is released in dramatic fashion, leaving destruction and chaos in its wake. 

What are the Best Foods to Increase Liver Qi?

Caring for your liver qi takes many forms. As with most health conditions, your diet is an important component of overall wellness.

These are some of the most frequently recommended foods for promoting strong liver qi and raising levels of qi when they are low. 

•     Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings: Garlic, turmeric, mustard seed, caraway seed, spearmint, oregano, sweet basil, saffron 
•     Fruits, Vegetables, and Grains: kumquats, cherries, coconut meat, red and black dates, squash, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, red bean, rice
•     Protein: Chicken, tofu

Avoiding certain foods and drinks also plays an important role in liver qi, as balance and flow can be disrupted when the liver must concentrate on hard-to-manage substances.

Caffeine and alcohol are at the top of the list, closely followed by fried foods, red meat, processed foods, and those with a high sugar content.

If you are not seeing the desired results, you may wish to reduce or eliminate spicy foods for a period.

Liver qi stagnation is already causing excessive heat in your body, and spicy foods only exacerbate the problem. 

How Do You Nourish Your Liver Qi?

In addition to managing your diet, one of the most important things you can do to nourish your liver qi is to prioritize healthy expression of your emotions.

For many people, that begins with developing communication skills and the ability to share thoughts and feelings in an assertive manner. For example, rather than allowing real or perceived slights to pass without comment, assertive people might courteously bring the issue up with the appropriate individual for resolution. 

When direct resolution isn’t practical or possible, there are other ways to ensure anger and frustration aren’t pushed down in a manner that disrupts liver qi.

Talk therapy is often effective, as is journaling, sharing experiences with loved ones, and participating in hobbies, exercise, or other physical activity that offers an opportunity to release emotions.

Some of the most popular options for supporting whole-body wellness include the practice of tai chi or qigong. 

How is Liver Qi Stagnation Treated?

Eating liver-friendly foods – and avoiding those that cause stress to the liver – is often one of the first things your practitioner will recommend for liver qi stagnation.

You may also see improvements in your symptoms by eating smaller, more frequent meals rather than a few large meals per day. 

Acupuncture has been shown to smooth energy blockages that are disrupting proper flow of qi throughout the body, and there are specific acupuncture therapies designed around promoting healthy liver qi.

Your practitioner may also recommend a combination of herbs and roots to treat liver qi stagnation. In some cases, the mix is customized, while in others, practitioners rely on a standard formula that is loosely translated from Chinese to English as “Rambling Powder”. 

Liver qi stagnation is one of the most common conditions diagnosed by those who practice traditional Chinese medicine. It accounts for a wide variety of emotional and physical symptoms that disrupt the business of living.

Fortunately, this condition can be treated with a little care and attention. Consider foods that support liver qi, and explore alternative therapies like acupuncture and Chinese herbal preparations to correct acute conditions.

Work on whole-body mindfulness with the practice of tai chi or qigong, and develop the skills necessary to express feelings rather than repressing them.