Liver qi stagnation effects on the overall health

In clinical practice, doctors frequently encounter patients suffering liver syndromes and the fact is that liver disorders are directly responsible for most modern illnesses. The liver is one of the most important organs in the human body because is directly responsible for the flow of energy, in other words the qi, and the range of emotions. According to Chinese medicine, once the liver suffers a disorder, it disturbs the function of all the other organs. Most commonly, disorders of the liver strongly affect the menstrual cycle and can lead to stress-related maladies. From the point of view of Chinese medicine, the liver and the uterus are intimately linked because the liver channels go straight through the pelvis. Consequently, menstruation is affected if the channels get blocked or they become deficient.

The health of a woman’s liver is important because the liver is the one who regulates the amount of blood in the human body. This means that the liver pulls back and stores the blood while it is hibernating. Although menstruation should be free of pain, most women experience backache, premenstrual spotting, abdominal pain, vomiting and swelling. This range of symptoms is most frequently associated with the malady known as endometriosis. Even if Chinese medicine does not categorize endometriosis as a condition, it effectively treats the symptoms associated with this common illness among women.
The mistake that Western doctors make is that they confuse this range of symptoms with classic the premenstrual syndrome because they do not recognize the stagnant qi. Stagnant qi is also associated with liver depression that most frequently causes pain and static blood. Even if acupuncture can help relieve some of the pain that the patient suffers, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners combine the techniques of acupuncture with classic formulas such as Xiaoyao Wan. Liver depression is usually the result of lots of stress. Stress, combined with a poor diet, has serious effects on the health of the liver and on the emotions as well. Emotional problems are visible in the person’s attitude that either repress his emotions or displays them for everyone. The issue is that many people refuse to deal with their emotions and his inappropriate channeling of emotions can lead to health problems.

On the other hand, accumulation of static blood can also be explained by the coldness from within the liver channel. What happens is that the liver meridian that encircles the genital area are blocked and symptoms such as pain and swelling appear. In order to treat these disorders and to prevent the apparition of infertility, TCM practitioners will usually prescribe Ganmaoling, as well as avoiding stress factors. It is also very important to try not to get angry or irritated and to have a proper diet because raw or cold foods lead to blood stagnation. Even if people suffering from liver depression crave sugar, it is advisable to stay away from it because sugar weakens the spleen and thus affects the blood flow. The bottom line is that it is important for women especially to maintain the health of the liver in order to avoid developing conditions such as endometriosis and have a good blood flow.

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