Qi And Blood Stagnation
Qi And Blood Stagnation
Educational content • Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Diagnostic Signs
Purple tongue with dark spots
Choppy (Se), Deep (Chen), Fine (Xi)
Key Characteristic Symptoms
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the pain that is boring, stabbing and fixed in one place. There are also manifestations like distention or oppression. Patients also suffer from emotional problems such as mood swings, depression or irritability.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Prolonged or intense emotional stress disturbs the Mind (Shen) and causes disharmony in Organs, Qi and Blood.
According to TCM, all 7 emotions (Anger, Joy, Sadness, Worry, Pensiveness, Fear, and Shock) has some effect on Qi and Blood Stagnation. Pensiveness and Worry are supposed to knot Qi the most and cause Qi Stagnation, which then lead to Blood Stagnation.
On the other hand, the Liver stores the Blood and this function can be largely disturbed by anger.
Pathological Mechanism
The typical symptoms of Qi stagnation are distension, oppression and swelling. There are also emotional issues like mood swing, depression or irritability. However, the Blood Stagnation is more on pains and purple color manifestation on skin, face, lips and nails.
Qi Stagnation can cause the latter pattern, as vicious circle, the Blood Stagnation worsens the Qi flow. The Liver is responsible for overall Qi circulation of the body and it also stores the Blood. Therefore, the malfunction of the Liver can cause both patterns at the same time. That's the reason many of the symptoms are located in chest area.
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Invigorate Qi and Blood, expel Stagnation especially in the Liver.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Invigorates the Blood, Dispels blood Stagnation
Shen Tong Zhu Yu Tang
Invigorates Blood, Unblocks painful obstruction
Shao Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Expels Cold and warm the menstruation Blood, Stops pain
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Invigorates Blood, Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood, Alleviates pain
Shi Xiao San
Invigorates Blood, Dispels Blood Stagnation
Qi Li San
Invigorates the blood and removes Blood Stagnation, Invigorates Qi
Dan Shen Yin
Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation, Promote Qi movement
Guo Qi Yin
Warms the menses, Dispels blood Stagnation
Tao Hong Si Wu Tang
Tonifies Blood and regulates the Liver, Moves Qi and Blood in the lower abdomen
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