Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach
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Diagnostic Signs
Normal-coloured or slightly Red on the sides
Weak (Ruo), Wiry (Xian)
Diagnostic Considerations
Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the epigastric and hypochondrial distension and pain as well as belching, nausea and vomiting.
Causes & Pathology
Common Causes
Anger, frustration or resentment are all emotions that affect the Liver and which, if felt for a prolonged period of time (or very intensively over a short period), cause Liver Qi to stagnate. Stagnant Liver Qi may become Rebellious, accentuating its horizontal movement towards the Spleen. This disturbs the Spleen function of transformation and transportation and it prevents Spleen Qi from rising.
Irregular eating, eating in a hurry, when worried, when angry or while working can cause Liver Qi to rebel towards the Spleen.
Pathological Mechanism
Liver Qi is said to be rebellious when its horizontal movement is accentuated. This interferes with the descending of Stomach Qi, making it ascend instead. Hence the symptoms of belching, nausea and vomiting. It is one of the reason causing Rebellious Stomach Qi.
Rebellious Liver Qi also impairs the Stomach's function of rotting and ripening of food, resulting in distension in the epigastrium and sour regurgitation.
There are typically two types of presentations for this pattern.
The first is when the Excess of the Liver is more predominant. It is said that the Liver's overactivity invades the Stomach. In this presentation the symptoms related to Rebellious Liver Qi are more pronounced: distension, pain and irritability.
In the second presentation the Stomach is weak and ‘allows’ itself to be invaded by the Liver, even when the Liver Excess is relatively mild. In this scenario the Stomach-related symptoms are more important.
Those two presentations are the reason why the tongue can either be Red on the sides (first presentation) or normal coloured (second presentation).
Treatment Approach
Treatment Principle
Subdue rebellious Liver Qi, tonify the Stomach.
Recommended Herbal Formulas
Diet & Lifestyle Recommendations
Adopting good eating habits are very important to prevent this pattern. Eat at regular intervals and take the time to eat. Avoid working or other stressful activities while eating.
To calm the Liver work with the emotions of anger, frustration and resentment by finding constructive outlets to express and release them. Above all, do not repress or stuff your emotions. Avoid excessive physical activity, such as sex or exercise. Regularity of habits helps to regulate Liver Qi.
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