Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency
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 Yang The concept of Blood The concept of Yin The concept of Deficiency / Empty
Key attributes
Chinese name: 肝阳上亢兼阴血虚 Pinyin name: Gān Yáng Shàng Kàng Jiān Yīn Xuè Xū
Pattern nature: Full/Empty combined pattern
Pattern(s) it combines from: Liver Yang Rising Blood Deficiency Yin Deficiency
Causes
Common causes: 1. Emotional Stress, 2. Diet
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Anxiety Dizziness Irritability Restless sleep Occasional palpitations
Pulse type(s): Fine (Xi), Wiry (Xian)
Treatment
Treatment principle: Nourish Yin and Blood, suppress rising Yang.
Common formulas: Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Pathology
This pattern is characterized by an imbalance where Deficient Yin and Blood fail to anchor and control Yang, leading to its hyperactivity and ascendance. This manifests in various symptoms:
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Dizziness and Irritability: Due to the uncontrolled Yang ascending to the Upper Burner, patients experience dizziness, reflecting the Yang's disturbance of the head and sensory organs. The internal movement of Yang Qi also manifests as irritability.
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Heart-related Symptoms: The Liver's overactive Yang entering the Heart can cause palpitations, restless sleep, and anxiety, indicating an imbalance between the emotional and physiological functions of these organs.
This pattern represents a complex interplay of Deficiency and Excess within the body, where the lack of nourishing Yin and Blood allows the energetic Yang to become erratic and disruptive. Treatment strategies typically focus on nourishing Yin and Blood to restore balance and subduing the hyperactive Liver Yang.
Causes
Emotional Stress: Emotional problems, such as anger, frustration and resentment, are the most obvious causes for this pattern, especially if these emotions are suppressed over a very long time. Anger drives Rebellious Liver Qi upwards.
Diet: If excessive Liver Qi rises, it can cause Liver Yang Rising. Eating in a hurry, eating while working or getting angry at meal time can lead to the pattern.
Diagnosing Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency
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): Fine (Xi) or wiry (Xian)
Main symptoms: Anxiety Dizziness Irritability Restless sleep Occasional palpitations
Diagnosis commentary: dizziness, irritability, palpitations, restless sleep, anxiety, and a thin, wiry pulse.
Treating Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency
Treatment principle
Nourish Yin and Blood, suppress rising Yang.
Herbal formulas used to treat Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan
Source date: 1132 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Nourishes the Yin and Blood . Sedates the Heart and calms the Mind . Calms the Liver. Anchors the yang.
Formula summary
Zhen Zhu Mu Wan is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1132 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that sedate and calm the Mind.
Besides Liver Yang Rising with Blood and Yin Deficiency, Zhen Zhu Mu Wan is also used to treat Liver Yang Rising or Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency.