Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
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.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Liver in Chinese Medicine The concept of Wind The concept of Interior The concept of Fire
Key attributes
Chinese name: 肝风内动 - 肝火上炎 Pinyin name: Gān Fēng Nèi Dòng - Gān Huǒ Shàng Yán
Pattern nature: Full/Empty combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Liver Fire
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Fire Blazing
Common causes: 1. Prolonged emotional stress, 2. Unhealthy diet or alcohol abuse
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Tremor Thirst Tinnitus Deafness Red face and thirteen other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Red with redder sides and dry yellow coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Clear the Liver, drain Fire, extinguish Wind.
Common formulas: Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang Zi Xue Dan Feng Yin Tang
Pathology
Liver Fire may generate Wind when it persists for some years. This phenomenon can be compared to a forest fire that generates strong winds.
Internal Wind is characterized by either movement or lack of movement, such as spasms, tics, tremors, numbness, dizziness, convulsions or paralysis. Which is why we see some of these symptoms together with those associated with Liver Fire.
This is a Full-Heat pattern that is more likely to occur in the elderly.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire can derive from Liver Fire Blazing
Prolonged emotional stress: A longstanding state of anger (expressed or repressed), resentment or frustration makes Liver Qi Stagnate and eventually "implode", giving rise to Heat which in turn will generate Wind.
Unhealthy diet or alcohol abuse: Heat in the Liver (and subsequent Wind) can arise from excessive intake of alcohol, drugs, caffeinated foods and drinks, hot foods such as lamb and beef and fried and greasy foods.
Diagnosing Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
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.
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Red with redder sides and dry yellow coating
Main symptoms: Tremor Thirst Tinnitus Deafness Red face Red eyes Dizziness Epistaxis Dry stools Dark Urine Haemoptysis Irritability Constipation Haematemesis Outbursts of anger Temporal headaches Dream disturbed sleep Bitter taste in the mouth
Treating Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Treatment principle
Clear the Liver, drain Fire, extinguish Wind.
Herbal formulas used to treat Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Source date: Qing dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Cools the Liver. Extinguishes Wind. Increases Fluids. Relaxes the sinews.
Formula summary
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in Qing dynasty, it belongs to the category of formulas that pacify and extinguish Internal Wind.
Besides Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire, Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang is also used to treat Liver Yang Rising or Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat.
Zi Xue Dan
Source date: 752 AD
Number of ingredients: 17 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Opens the sensory orifices. Controls spasms and convulsions. Extinguishes Wind.
Formula summary
Zi Xue Dan is a 17-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 752 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices.
Besides Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire, Zi Xue Dan is also used to treat Heart Fire blazing or Pericardium Fire.
Feng Yin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Extinguishes and pacifies Wind with heavy medicinals. Calms the Mind. Clears Heat.
Formula summary
Feng Yin Tang is a 12-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that dredge and disperse External Wind.
Besides Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire, Feng Yin Tang is also used to treat Liver Wind agitating Internally due to extreme Heat or Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Yang Rising.
Diet recommendations
One should favor simple and bland foods should be eaten such as rice cereal, soups, vegetables and fruits.