Qi Stagnation
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 concept of Qi
Key attributes
Chinese name: 气滞 Pinyin name: Qì Zhì
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: General pattern with specific forms like Liver Qi Stagnation or Stomach Qi Stagnation
Common combinations: Qi And Blood Stagnation
Causes
Precursor patterns: Qi Deficiency Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Common causes: Emotional stress
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Depression Mood swings Irritability Frequent sighing Feeling of distension and one other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Normal or slightly dark on side with white or yellow coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Invigorate Qi movement, unblock Channels
Common formulas: Xiao Yao San Chai Hu Shu Gan San Si Mo Tang and one other formulas
Pathology
If the flow of Qi is impeded in any way, it becomes stuck or stagnant. This can be likened to a traffic jam on the freeway. That's why, unlike in the cases of Qi Deficiency or Qi Sinking, tonification is contraindicated: it would be like adding more cars to the traffic jam. Instead, Qi moving or regulating therapy is required.
Qi Stagnation can lead to an impairment of any of the Organs. When Qi is stagnant in the limbs or in the Channels of the body, aches and pains may result. The Liver is the main Organ affected by Qi Stagnation. However other Organs often also suffer from it, for example the Heart, Lungs, Stomach or Intestines.
In a Qi Stagnation condition, the person is usually not tired as in Qi Deficiency, but tend to experience a range of emotional symptoms: the feeling of being 'stuck', being frustrated, easily irritated, etc. The feeling of distension (i.e. feeling 'bloated'), which can affect the throat, chest, epigastrium, or abdomen, is the most characteristic and important of the symptoms of Qi Stagnation.
Stagnant Qi is an Excess condition. When Qi is Stagnant it can lead to other types of Stagnation such as Blood, Fluids or food Stagnation. Likewise, poor Blood or Body Fluids circulation can result in Qi condensing and stagnating, resulting in lumps, physical masses or tumors.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Qi Stagnation can derive from Qi Deficiency Lung and Heart Qi Deficiency
Emotional stress : 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 Stagnation. Out of them, Pensiveness and Worry are supposed to knot Qi the most.
Diagnosing Qi Stagnation
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): Tight (Jin) or wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: Normal or slightly dark on side with white or yellow coating
Main symptoms: Depression Mood swings Irritability Frequent sighing Feeling of distension Moving distending pain
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the feeling of distension, pain, and oppression as well as emotional problems such as depression, anxiety or irritability.
Treating Qi Stagnation
Treatment principle
Invigorate Qi movement, unblock Channels
Herbal formulas used to treat Qi Stagnation
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Formula summary
Chai Hu Shu Gan San is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1602, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Qi Stagnation, Chai Hu Shu Gan San is also used to treat Rebellious Qi or Liver Blood Stagnation.
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Formula summary
Xiao Yao San is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen.
Besides Qi Stagnation, Xiao Yao San is also used to treat Liver Blood Stagnation or Liver Qi Deficiency.
Si Mo Tang
Source date: 1253 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Promotes the movement of Qi. Directs rebellious Qi downward. Expands the chest and dissipates clumping.
Formula summary
Si Mo Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1253 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Qi Stagnation, Si Mo Tang is also used to treat Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Stomach.
Related conditions
Please keep in mind that a Western Medicine condition can be caused by several Chinese Medicine patterns of disharmony and vice versa. As such a patient suffering from one of the conditions below will not necessarily be suffering from Qi Stagnation, it is just one pattern that's commonly associated with the condition. Click on a condition to learn what other patterns it's associated with.
Late menstruation Chronic gastritis Peptic ulcers Irritable bowel syndrome Chronic hepatitis Intercostal neuralgia Migraine Epilepsy Depression Biliary tract infections Gallstones Globus hystericus Cerebral thrombosis
Special highlight: the link between late menstruation and Qi Stagnation
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the key herb for Xiao Yao San, a formula used for late menstruation caused by Qi Stagnation
Typical symptoms for late menstruation caused by Qi Stagnation: Depression Late period Irritability Scanty periods Clots in blood Abdominal pain Premenstrual breast distension Premenstrual abdominal distension
Recommended herbal formulas: Xiao Yao San, Chai Hu Shu Gan San, Wu Yao Tang
Qi Stagnation here mainly refers to Liver Qi Stagnation which is often caused by long-term emotional stress like worry or fear. If untreated for a long period of time, it can lead to Blood Stagnation and thus the Directing (Ren Mai 任脉) and Penetrating Vessels become blocked and periods come behind schedule.
Heart or Spleen Qi Deficiency can also be caused by these emotions and be responsible for delayed periods. Take the Spleen as example, its function is to transform and transport food and...Read more about late menstruation
Consequence patterns
Qi Stagnation often causes Blood Stagnation. Both patterns are part of the aggregated pattern of Heart Vessel obstructed.
When Qi Stagnates for a long period of time, it fails to move Blood, hence the Stagnation of Blood itself.