I asked it as a student, I get asked it as a practitioner. It’s a difficult one.
I have become happy with the definition of Qi being the energetics of a particular organ, system, body. Not quite translated to “energy” but similar. Everything has its own characteristic Qi, from rock to ocean to human. Each Organ of the human body has its own particular quality of Qi, which manifests as that Organs vitality and capacity to function. When Qi is deficient we mean it is underfunctioning. When Qi is strong we mean everything is working as it should.
When the Qi moves freely our lives “flow” easily. We adapt to change and process difficulties.When Qi is Stagnant, any aspect of harmonious flow and rhythm can be affected. We may feel constrained, frustrated, indecisive or depressed. Physically we may experience uncomfortable digestion, irregular or painful menstruation, headaches, tenderness between the ribs or all kinds of pain.
How do we become Stagnant?
The usual trigger is emotional – we may feel stress, frustration, anger, resentment. There is usually a degree of stifling the expression of these feelings: instead of “letting it all out,” we “keep it all in.”
This pattern of Qi stagnation often leads to physical manifestations. For many of us, the origin of a physical problem is in a much earlier psychological struggle that we have buried and often forgotten about. IBS for example, often has emotional roots.
The role of the Liver in Chinese medicine is to smooth the flow of Qi through the body and mind, so many patterns of Stagnation are connected to the Liver – Liver Qi Stagnation
Recognising the symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation:
Moodiness
Feeling wound up
Depression, brooding
Volatile moods
Frequent sighing
Feeling of a lump in the throat
Sense of oppression in the chest
Sighing/hiccups
Belching/sour regurgitation
Aimlessness
Abdominal distension
Hypochondrial pain (below ribs)
Premenstrual symptoms – breast tenderness
Irregular/painful menstruation
Uncomfortable digestion/IBS
Dark, dry or cracked nails
Bloodshot, painful or burning sensation in eyes
A person will probably not have all of these symptoms but you will probably be familiar with more than a few if you tend towards Liver Qi Stagnation.
Clearing Stagnation
This requires movement, both physically and emotionally. At the physical level this can mean anything from dancing, gym classes, brisk walking, running, zumba, swimming…… you get the idea……anything that gets us breathing deeper and faster. Definitely not sitting in front of the TV or being on social media all evening!
Emotionally it may mean shifting a mindset, seeking therapy, establishing a therapeutic ritual.
Creative projects also help – painting, singing, sewing, yoga, taichi.
Dietary approaches to help shift Liver Qi Stagnation
Eat lightly and simply
Use pungent herbs and spices that aid digestion- basil, cardamom, coriander, clove, chives, fennel, garlic, onion, watercress
Try not to make meals too complex in terms of food groups
Keep sugars and fruits separate from meals eg avoid having them as desserts
Avoid having dairy with meat
Avoid too many different proteins in one meal
Meal ideas for Qi Stagnation
Cabbage, carrot, and fennel soup
Carrot and coriander soup
French onion soup
Watercress soup
Sauerkraut/horseradish (use a side to any meal)
Lemon rice
Lemon chicken
Roasted pepper and avocado dip
Avocado & watercress with poached egg
Stewed apple with cinnamon
Try this little gem as a great liver cleanser
Every morning have a large glass of warm water with lemon or cider vinegar
So, as you can see, there are a wide variety of symptoms that can point towards a disharmony of the liver. The liver has a great many responsibilities in the body, so keeping it in good health is important both physically and emotionally.
The other thing to remember is that having prolonged feelings of anger or frustration that are repressed or unexpressed can damage the Liver, and the opposite is true as well. A deficiency in the Liver can leave you prone to feelings of anger or frustration. You’ll know your liver is healthy the next time you are in a stressful situation and you don’t blow your lid!!
Liver Qi Stagnation: What is it?
What is Qi?
I asked it as a student, I get asked it as a practitioner. It’s a difficult one.
I have become happy with the definition of Qi being the energetics of a particular organ, system, body. Not quite translated to “energy” but similar. Everything has its own characteristic Qi, from rock to ocean to human. Each Organ of the human body has its own particular quality of Qi, which manifests as that Organs vitality and capacity to function. When Qi is deficient we mean it is underfunctioning. When Qi is strong we mean everything is working as it should.
How do we become Stagnant?
The usual trigger is emotional – we may feel stress, frustration, anger, resentment. There is usually a degree of stifling the expression of these feelings: instead of “letting it all out,” we “keep it all in.”
This pattern of Qi stagnation often leads to physical manifestations. For many of us, the origin of a physical problem is in a much earlier psychological struggle that we have buried and often forgotten about. IBS for example, often has emotional roots.
The role of the Liver in Chinese medicine is to smooth the flow of Qi through the body and mind, so many patterns of Stagnation are connected to the Liver – Liver Qi Stagnation
Recognising the symptoms of Liver Qi Stagnation:
A person will probably not have all of these symptoms but you will probably be familiar with more than a few if you tend towards Liver Qi Stagnation.
Clearing Stagnation
This requires movement, both physically and emotionally. At the physical level this can mean anything from dancing, gym classes, brisk walking, running, zumba, swimming…… you get the idea……anything that gets us breathing deeper and faster. Definitely not sitting in front of the TV or being on social media all evening!
Emotionally it may mean shifting a mindset, seeking therapy, establishing a therapeutic ritual.
Creative projects also help – painting, singing, sewing, yoga, taichi.
Dietary approaches to help shift Liver Qi Stagnation
Meal ideas for Qi Stagnation
So, as you can see, there are a wide variety of symptoms that can point towards a disharmony of the liver. The liver has a great many responsibilities in the body, so keeping it in good health is important both physically and emotionally.
The other thing to remember is that having prolonged feelings of anger or frustration that are repressed or unexpressed can damage the Liver, and the opposite is true as well. A deficiency in the Liver can leave you prone to feelings of anger or frustration. You’ll know your liver is healthy the next time you are in a stressful situation and you don’t blow your lid!!
Eileen Mannion
Acupuncturist Huddersfield
Phone: 07773332553 / 01484 865886
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