Diet in stagnation of liver Qi

What is Qi

Qi is the basic substance and driving force of our body. It is like the fuel of our body. It is thanks to Qi that our body can perform certain functions. We usually translate Qi as "energy". It is the activator of functions, it is the source of our body's heat, the yang part of it forms a protective shell around us and is part of our immunity, it regulates the flow of blood and holds the blood in the vascular system, it is responsible for metabolism, i.e. the functioning of our metabolism, and it supplies our body with nutrients that support its functioning and regeneration. The quality of our Qi is influenced by the quality and strength of the essence we inherited from our ancestors, as well as the quality of the food we ingest and the quality of the air we breathe. And also the strength of the organs that produce Qi from food and air.

Very importantly, Qi must be constantly moving, not stagnant.

How liver Qi stagnation manifests itself

The liver is an organ that is very sensitive to emotional stress. One of the functions of the Liver is that it makes everything in the body more fluid. They allow not only Qi but also blood and other fluids to flow freely in the body. If we suffer from excessive or suppressed emotions, this ability is easily blocked. At first the Qi begins to slow down, later creating blockages, which most often manifest themselves in various tensions anywhere in the body. If the condition lasts too long, blood and mucus will also begin to block. And in this way, various formations form in the body - fibroids, cysts or even tumours.

The blockage of Liver Qi can be caused mainly by emotions and our mental state. As soon as we succumb to emotions, we withdraw, the body is not relaxed and Qi and blood cannot flow freely. This can cause us to feel nervous, weepy, irritable, neck tightness and headaches. An energetically charged Liver tends to attack the Spleen (digestion), which we may experience as bloating or diarrhea. If the excessive energy of the Liver has invaded the Stomach, this manifests as belching, a feeling of retching or vomiting, bitterness in the mouth and pain in the side. When Liver Qi stagnates, blood and fluids stagnate, swelling, bloating and swollen nodes may occur.

Liver Qi stagnation can negatively impact the menstrual cycle in women. Menstrual disorders, painful menstruation, infertility, etc. A fairly typical manifestation of Liver stagnation is premenstrual syndrome. Liver Qi stagnation is responsible for everything that is aggravated by stress.

The basic symptoms of Liver Qi stagnation are:

Fluctuation of symptoms
Any symptom that is aggravated by stress
Feeling tense, expanded, depressed, moody
Pain in the lower back, lower abdomen or chest - not a painful point, more of an area
Aggravated by emotions
Depression (going out and coming in HUN disorder)
Decreased creativity, loss of vision
Tension in breasts before menstruation (period of physiological stagnation)
General deterioration of condition before menstruation
Irregular cycle
A variety of problems associated with the period (pain, tightness, irregularity, etc.)
Often occurs together with GAN XUE XU or PI QI XU (especially in women)

Angry,Confident,Businesswoman,Arguing,While,Talking,On,Phone,Annoyed,Woman

In the case of GAN YU HUA HUO (stagnation of Qi turning into fire):

The liver is like a paperweight - blowing off steam = fire
More pronounced manifestations of irritability and explosiveness
Feelings of heat in the upper body
Sleep disturbances, excessive dreaming
Flushed face, eyes
Acne (especially before menses) - small pimples
Shortening of the cycle
Excessive bleeding

Dietary principles in stagnation of liver Qi

General principles

Qi stagnation is usually associated with impaired liver function. From a biomedical point of view, the Liver represents the detoxification factory of the body and all substances absorbed by the digestive system first pass through it. The liver processes and metabolizes natural and artificial compounds. Due to the ever-increasing presence of artificial substances (preservatives, dyes, pharmaceuticals) in the modern diet, the Liver is often overloaded. This may contribute to some of the symptoms of a condition known in traditional Chinese medicine as Liver Qi stagnation. The Liver is also affected by overeating or eating too often. Although we consider the Spleen to be the main digestive organ, it is the Liver that influences the distribution and timing of nutrient supply to it so that it can work effectively. Overloading the Spleen has a mediated impact on the movement of Liver Qi.

If there is stagnation of Liver Qi, constricting and restraining foods should be avoided. Foods of a slightly pungent and distracting nature should be preferred. Patients should eat less (leave the table feeling that they could eat more) and the last meal of the day should be served in the late afternoon or early evening. Boisterous or volatile emotions at the table are very harmful; eating should be done in a calm and relaxed environment. This diet should emphasize vegetables with a rich variety of green, yellow and red vegetables supplemented with sharp distracting varieties. Lightly spiced foods such as curries or Asian cuisine help circulate Qi. Carbohydrates and protein play a secondary role, together they should not make up more than half of the diet.

Recommended foods

Foods of a distracting nature that are mildly pungent: spices, onions, garlic, leaf mustard, watercress, turmeric, basil, mint including peppermint, horseradish, pepper, cardamom, cumin, fennel, dill, ginger, small amounts of wine (preferably red) or rice wine, coffee (1 cup per day); be careful with warming foods if heat stagnation occurs.
Acidic tastes (in small amounts): citrus, vinegar, pickles, cherries, plums and plums.
Other: lots of fresh vegetables, some fruit; grain sprouts, asparagus, taro tubers (colocasia edible), cabbage, turnips, cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, beets, Jerusalem artichokes, rye sourdough bread, extra virgin olive oil, molasses, small amounts of high value proteins from meat and fish.

Prohibited foods

Foods containing large amounts of saturated fats and oils: cheese, eggs, cream, ice cream, red meat, lard, cooking fats, margarine, nuts, pizza, chips.
Foods of excessively hot nature and pungent taste: hot chilli and paprika, spirits.
Excessively cold and chilled foods: ice cream, beer, salads and vegetable juices, white wine.
Artificial compounds: preservatives, dyes, pharmaceuticals (if appropriate).

Clinical notes

Activity is important in Qi stagnation. Among the activities, brisk walking, exercising to music, stretching exercises, massage and self-massage of selected points and parts of the body are appropriate. As for massages, you can stimulate the area on your foot between the thumb and index finger, don't be afraid to apply pressure, the Liver pathway starts here and you will relax it nicely. You can apply every evening after a shower.

If you suffer from bloating, I recommend using the recipe for the warming bag and applying it to the belly button area, you will encourage movement in the midsection and help replenish your energy there as well.

Proportional food composition in liver Qi stagnation

Vegetables and fruit should form the main component of food intake (40-60%).
Carbohydrates should make up about 30%.
Protein should be about 10%.

This diet should emphasize vegetables with a rich representation of green, yellow and red vegetables supplemented with a variety of sharp distracting species. Lightly spiced foods such as curries or Asian cuisine help circulate Qi. Carbohydrates and protein play a secondary role, together they should not make up more than half of the diet.

Adherence to a proper diet and lifestyle is key to restoring balance in the body and supporting proper Liver function.

A,Combination,Of,Himalayan,Salt,And,Cinnamon

Recipe for a bagel

100 g Himalayan coarse salt
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon ginger

Fry all this in a pan, pour it into a handkerchief or piece of cloth, tie it up, test the temperature and put it under the navel. If you have trouble sleeping, you can replace the cinnamon with lavender.

Conclusion

Eating with Yin deficiency requires careful selection of foods that provide the necessary nutrition and hydration to the body. Emphasis is placed on concentrated nutrients, a high proportion of protein, and proper food preparation. Avoiding foods that can exacerbate the symptoms of Yin deficiency is key to improving overall health and well-being. A regular daily routine, adequate sleep and proper hydration are also essential to maintaining Yin balance in the body.

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Diet in stagnation of liver Qi