Old saying goesNourishing the liver is like nourishing lifeThis statement is absolutely true. Many friends are often troubled by various minor ailments but can never find the root cause. In fact, it is very likely that the liver is the issue.Once the liver is blocked and the flow of qi is obstructed, it can trigger a chain reaction throughout the body, leading to various discomforts.
For example, some people often feel distending pain in the chest and hypochondrium, which worsens when their mood is poor; others always feel bloated after eating; and some experience a decline in energy after middle age, struggling to get up in the morning. Many may think these issues are unrelated, but in fact, tracing back to their roots, they may all be connected to the liver.
According to traditional Chinese medicineThe liver stores blood, acting as the body's "blood bank" responsible for storing and regulating blood throughout the bodyensuring that all organs and tissues receive sufficient blood nourishment when neededThe liver governs free flow, responsible for regulating the ascending, descending, exiting, and entering of the body's qi, ensuring its smooth circulation. It also helps to regulate emotions and promotes the transportation and transformation functions of the spleen and stomach.
If liver qi becomes stagnant, the flow of qi in the body will be obstructed. The most direct impact is that it transversely invades the spleen and stomach, leading to discomforts such as indigestion, decreased appetite, and gastrointestinal distension and pain. Additionally, liver stagnation can affect the circulation of qi and blood. If qi and blood cannot smoothly reach the ancestral sinew, it is prone to cause functional decline issues.
So for liver qi stagnation,The key to regulation lies in "smoothing the flow of qi," unblocking the stagnant liver qi and allowing the body's qi and blood to circulate smoothly once againToday, I will share with you two commonly used herbs in clinical practice for soothing the liver and regulating qi. When used together, they yield better results. They areBupleurum and Bergamot。
Among themBupleurum can soothe the liver and relieve depression by dispersing stagnant liver qi It also promotes the rise of spleen and stomach yang aiding in the restoration of their transportation and transformation functions；Buddha's Hand first can soothe the liver and regulate qi, and also harmonize the stomach to relieve pain。
These two medicinal herbs are used in combination,Chaihu is responsible for "primarily soothing the liver and raising spleen yang," while Foshou is responsible for "assisting in soothing the liver, harmonizing the stomach, and resolving phlegm."，It can precisely resolve liver qi stagnation while also addressing the affected spleen, stomach, lungs, and other organs.
However, it must be reminded that the use of traditional Chinese medicine emphasizes syndrome differentiation and treatment the most. Each person's constitution is different, and the complexity of syndrome types varies. One must not use it on their own. It must be used under the guidance of a professional physician with syndrome differentiation to ensure both safety and effectiveness.
