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When patients arrive in my treatment room feeling \u201cwound up\u201d and \u201cstressed out\u201d, I check the state of the liver organ and associated energy channel or <\/span>meridian. <\/span><\/i>Before we dive into how to soothe liver qi stagnation with diet, let\u2019s begin with a little exploration into the role of the liver in Chinese medicine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Liver organ and channel oversee the flow of energy throughout the entire body. We feel emotionally balanced and calm yet energetic when the Liver Qi is flowing freely.<\/span><\/p>\n When Liver Qi stagnates and the energy becomes stuck, we experience mental and physical distress. Over time, this stagnant Liver Qi also affects the ability of the Spleen and Stomach to process food properly, and the result is digestive distress. Acupuncturists refer to this state of imbalance as the Liver invading or overacting on the Spleen and Stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n Liver Qi stagnation results primarily from anger, repressed feelings or resentments, and other emotional upset, especially when extreme or prolonged. Anger is the emotion associated with the Liver in Chinese medicine, just as worry and over-thinking are linked with the Spleen<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Emotional upset and problems with our mental state are the primary cause of Liver Qi stagnation. Prolonged inactivity or a sedentary lifestyle also contribute to stagnant Liver Qi.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n In his book,<\/span> Chinese System of Food Cures Prevention & Remedies<\/span><\/i>, Henry C. Lu recommends adding foods that move qi to the diet in cases of Liver Qi stagnation. He offers the following examples:<\/span><\/p>\n Some other options include:<\/span><\/p>\n Together the Liver organ, Liver Qi, and Liver channel play a vital role in our health. A happy Liver system is soft, storing the blood and safeguarding the free flow of qi throughout the body. <\/span><\/p>\n The sinews or tendons and ligaments are controlled by the Liver. When the Liver is healthy, the nails are strong, and the eyes see clearly and appear bright.<\/span><\/p>\n Due to the intimate connection between the Liver and Spleen, the best diet for the Liver also supports the Spleen and Stomach. Warm, moist, easy-to-digest meals like congee, porridge, and soup support the Spleen. Adding foods that move Liver Qi stagnation will help maintain or restore the free-flowing nature of Liver Qi.<\/p>\n For Liver Qi Stagnation overacting on the Spleen and Stomach,\u00a0 or qi stagnation epigastric pain, Bob Flaws, in <\/span>The Book of Jook<\/span><\/i>,\u00a0 recommends a traditional congee called <\/span>Xing Qi Jian Wei Zhou<\/i><\/strong> or Move the Qi and Fortify the Stomach Congee<\/strong>. This recipe is made of polished rice, <\/span>d<\/span>ried finger citron fruit \/ Buddha\u2019s Hand (Fo Shou), tangerine peel (Chen Pi), c<\/span>ardamom seed<\/span> (<\/span>Sha Ren)<\/span>, and bitter orange (Zhi Qiao).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Apple Cinnamon: nutmeg, lemon peel<\/span><\/p>\n Kitchari: fennel, carrots, ginger, black pepper, turmeric<\/span><\/p>\n Masala Chai Spice: cardamom, fennel, ginger, pepper<\/span><\/p>\n Oregon Blueberry: lemon peel, ginger<\/span><\/p>\n Pear-fection: cardamom, ginger<\/span><\/p>\n Romano Bean Dream: garlic, lemon peel<\/span><\/p>\n Triple Berry: sprouted brown rice<\/span><\/p>\n Tropical Paradise: ginger, star anise<\/span><\/p>\n This year we lost one of our great teachers of Chinese medicine and Chinese dietary therapy with the loss of the honorable Henry C. Lu<\/a><\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n May his work and memory continue to inspire healthy, healing dietary choices for people around the world. Thank you, Dr. Lu, for expanding and deepening my understanding of wise food choices.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat is Liver Qi Stagnation?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What are the signs of Liver Qi Stagnation?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Common Causes of Liver Qi Stagnation<\/b><\/h3>\n
How to soothe Liver Qi Stagnation with your diet<\/b><\/h2>\n
How you eat<\/h3>\n
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What you eat<\/h3>\n
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The best diet for Liver Qi Stagnation:<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Examples of Breakfast Cure flavors<\/a> that contain foods to move Liver Qi stagnation include:<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Honor and Gratitude for a great teacher and highly valued teachings<\/b><\/h3>\n