Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
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 Fire The Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Key attributes
Chinese name: 肝火犯肺 Pinyin name: Gān Huǒ Fàn Fèi
Pattern nature: Full combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Liver Fire
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Fire Blazing
Common causes: 1. Excessive consumption of hot-natured and greasy foods, 2. Anger, frustration and resentment
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Asthma Thirst Red face Headaches Dizziness and seven other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Red with redder sides and dry yellow coating.
Treatment
Treatment principle: Clear the Liver, drain Fire, subdue Liver Qi, stimulate the descending of Lung Qi.
Common formulas: Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Ke Xie Fang
Pathology
The Liver ensures the smooth flow of Qi, which includes the normal descending of Lung Qi.
Liver-Qi Stagnation, which is necessary for this pattern to develop, causes the feeling of distension of the chest and hypochondrium. If it persists over a long period of time, it can turn into Liver Fire.
Fire, like a real fire, rises and therefore prevents Lung Qi from descending, resulting in the symptoms of breathlessness and asthma.
The rising of Liver Fire also causes headache, dizziness, red face, bloodshot eyes, thirst and a bitter taste in the mouth. If Fire enters the Blood, it creates Heat in the Blood and leads to characteristic bleeding symptoms such as the blood-tinged sputum.
The symptoms of scanty dark urine and constipation are because of Fire's hot nature which condenses the Body Fluids.
Within the Five Phases theory this pattern is described as Wood insulting Metal.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Fire insulting the Lungs can derive from Liver Fire Blazing
Excessive consumption of hot-natured and greasy foods: An excessive consumption of hot-natured and greasy foods tends to create Heat in the Liver.
Anger, frustration and resentment: The emotions of anger, frustration and resentment affect the Liver in that they make Liver Qi stagnate which, after a long time, leads to Liver Fire.
Diagnosing Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
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): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Red with redder sides and dry yellow coating.
Main symptoms: Asthma Thirst Red face Headaches Dizziness Constipation Breathlessness Bloodshot eyes Scanty and dark urine Bitter taste in the mouth Cough with yellow or blood-tinged sputum Distention and pain in the chest and hypochondria
Diagnosis commentary: The main characteristics symptoms for this pattern are the breathlessness, the asthma, the feeling of fullness of the hypochondrium, the headache and the Wiry pulse.
Treating Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
Treatment principle
Clear the Liver, drain Fire, subdue Liver Qi, stimulate the descending of Lung Qi.
Herbal formulas used to treat Liver Fire insulting the Lungs
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Formula summary
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is a 10-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1682 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat from the Organs.
Besides Liver Fire insulting the Lungs, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang is also used to treat Damp-Heat in the Liver or Stagnant Liver Qi turning into Fire.
Ke Xie Fang
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Clears Fire. Transforms Phlegm. Preserves the Lungs. Stops coughing and bleeding.
Formula summary
Ke Xie Fang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1481 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that stop bleeding.
Diet recommendations
Avoid excessive intake of alcohol, drugs and caffeinated foods and drinks. Stay clear from hot-natured and greasy foods such as lamb and beef, chips of all kinds, nuts and nut butters, avocados and dairy foods.
It is extremely important in this pattern to find constructive and beneficial ways to express and release the pent up anger, frustration, irritability and resentment. Find work which is satisfying and enjoyable. Discover creative outlets and actively pursue them.
Consequence patterns
Liver Fire may dry up Body Fluids and lead to Yin Deficiency.
By condensing Body Fluids Fire may lead to the formation of Phlegm, a process facilitated by the impairment of the descending of Lung Qi.