Liver Qi Deficiency
Liver Qi Deficiency
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Pale or normal
Weak (Ruo)
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the Hypochondrial distention and pain, irregular menstruation and general fatigue.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Overwork without sufficient rest over a long term can cause Liver Qi Stagnation, then leads to the Qi Deficiency.
Emotional stress such as frustration, anger, resentment sadness and grief can consume Liver Blood directly and stagnate Liver Qi. As a result, it causes Liver Qi Deficiency.
The Spleen is responsible for making Blood which then get stored in the Liver. The Spleen function can be largely weakened due to a diet poor in nutrition or lacking in Blood generating foods, such as red meat or grains. As a result, it cause Liver Blood Deficiency.
Also, excessive consumption on stimulants, drugs, fatty and oily foods, recreational drugs, alcohol, coffee, black tea can cause Liver Qi Stagnation.
Both pattern can leads to Liver Qi Deficiency.
Pathological Mechanism
It is more common to see Liver Qi Deficiency accompanying other patterns.
The most obvious one is Liver Qi Stagnation. One of Liver's main functions is to ensures the smooth flow of Qi throughout the body, in all Organs and in all directions. This function is impaired when the Qi in Liver is Stagnant, thus the general Liver Qi is weakened. The typical manifestation is distention in the hypochondrium, chest, epigastrium or abdomen. There are also emotional problems such as depression, anxiety, anger or restlessness. It can also cause irregular menstruation. In this case, use Xiao Yao San which is major in smoothing the Liver and invigorating Qi.
If the Live Qi Deficiency is causes by Liver Blood Deficiency, and there are symptoms like irregular menstruations, use formula Si Wu Tang.
Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang can be used to treat Liver Qi Deficiency caused by lacking of Liver Yang. It can treat symptoms like poor appetite , abdomen distension and general fatigue.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Smooth the Liver, regulate Liver Qi, generate Liver Blood, tonify the Kidneys and Spleen.
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