Liver Blood Stagnation

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.

Pathology

Liver Blood Stagnation usually develops from other patterns and Liver Qi Stagnation, Cold and Heat are the three most common ones. Sometimes Qi Deficiency, Blood Deficiency and Phlegm can also be the precursors. 

Liver Qi Stagnation is the most common cause. If left unchecked for a while without being addressed properly, it eventually leads to stagnant Blood in the Directing and Penetrating Vessels. Both vessels have a great impact on the menstruation function in women. It can typically cause dark and clotted menstrual blood as well as menstrual cramps and irregular periods.

Pain caused by Liver Blood Stagnation is often sharp and stabbing. It usually fixed in one place in the abdomen or chest. Sometimes swelling or mass comes along as well. It usually happens to women, but occasional men can also experience pain due to Liver Blood Stagnation.

The Liver stores Blood and it manifests in the nails. Therefore Stagnant Liver Blood causes purple or darkness in patients' lips, tongue, face and nails.  Sometimes there may be vomiting of Blood and epistaxis if the Liver Channel is blocked.

Liver Blood Stagnation shouldn't be taken lightly as it can potentially lead to very serious conditions such as coronary heart disease or stroke.

Causes

Precursor patterns: Liver Blood Stagnation can derive from Phlegm Liver Qi Stagnation Liver Blood Deficiency Liver Qi Deficiency Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation Pericardium Blood Stagnation

Emoional 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 can develops to Liver Blood Stagnation.

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 develops to Liver Blood Stagnation.

Overwork: Overwork without sufficient rest over a long term can cause Liver Qi Stagnation, which may develop to Liver Blood Stagnation.

Diagnosing Liver Blood Stagnation

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.

Treating Liver Blood Stagnation

Treatment principle

Smooth the Liver, move Qi and Blood, eliminate Stagnation. 

Herbal formulas used to treat Liver Blood Stagnation

Diet recommendations

Avoid hot, spicy, caffeinated, fried and greasy foods. Also avoid nuts and nut butters, avocados, cheese and dairy, chips of all kinds, turkey and red meats, alcohol.

Avoid drinks such as coffee, black tea, cocoa, colas and chocolate, drugs and stimulants.

Eat plenty of grains, legumes, vegetables and dark leafy greens, such as kale, collards, dandelion, mustard, beet and mustard greens. Lemon juice also helps decongest the Liver.

Try other therapies such as moxibustion, cupping over the back and breathing exercises. 

Consequence patterns

Dryness

Blood is a form of Body Fluids and both elements are inter-transformable. Therefore, Stagnant of Liver Blood can impair Body Fluids generation and cause general Dryness.