Category Archives: Chinese Herbal Medicine

In Chinese medicine, the start of spring is based on the traditional Chinese solar calendar, which divides the year into 24 solar terms. The first solar term is called Lìchūn (立春), meaning “Beginning of Spring.” This marks the official start of spring in TCM and typically occurs around February 3rd or 4th, depending on the year. It is calculated based on the position of the sun. Lìchūn reflects a shift in energy from winter’s deep Yin (rest, stillness) to the gradual emergence of Yang energy (growth, renewal). It aligns with nature’s rhythms, where seeds begin to stir underground, animals awaken, and life starts to regenerate.

In the body springtime corresponds to the liver. In other words the energy (Qi) of the liver is both more active and more vulnerable in spring, and the flow and economy of the body’s energy (Qi) is particularly influenced by the liver at this time of year.

In Chinese medicine the Liver is responsible for several functions including regulating the smooth flow of Qi in the body, storing and regulating the supply of blood, supporting digestion, nourishing the ligaments and tendons, maintaining the health of the eyes, supporting and regulating the menstrual cycle.

Green is the colour associated in Chinese medicine with springtime and with the the liver. The green in plants is the pigment chlorophyll, an extraordinary molecule that uses sunlight as energy to transform carbon dioxide in the air to sugar and oxygen. Sugar provides energy for the plant’s growth, repair and metabolism. Chlorophyll contains magnesium, so green leafy vegetables are important sources of this mineral in our diet. Magnesium is essential for metabolism, much of which occurs in the liver, and this ties in with the liver’s function of regulating the flow of Qi in Chinese medicine.

According to Chinese medicine liver imbalances may give a range of symptoms depending on the kind of imbalance and the organs that are most affected by it because of your constitution or because of the specific circumstances at the time.

However, typical “liver symptoms” (what I call “liveriness”) include shoulder, neck tension and jaw tension, clenching or grinding the teeth at night, tension headaches, dizziness, an unpleasant feeling of heat inside or being too hot, intolerance of hot stuffy environments, premenstrual syndrome, menstrual pain and irregularities, irritability, quick temper, anxiety, depression, mood swings, rib pain that shifts, red and ichy eyes, eye issues in general. Liver imbalances can also manifest as poor digestion with discomfort and bloating, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, chronic skin problems, allergies, food intolerance and sensitivities, fatigue and lethargy.

But remember: don’t self-diagnose! Remember that although all of these are common liver symptoms, many of them may be caused by other kinds of imbalances too.See a qualified practitioner of Chinese medicine.

Here are six great herbs used by Western herbalists to support this vital organ. There are many others and each is unique in its characteristics and uses. Medical herbalists choose the right herbs to suit the individual person and condition.

Dandelion: The root is used to support liver function, while the leaves are diuretic and a great addition to salads too!

Gentian: The root is very bitter and is a wonderful digestive stimulant.

Artichoke: The leaves, stem and roots are used in herbal medicine to improve digestion and reduce cholesterol.

Burdock: Burdock root is a general depurative working on the liver and kidneys to expel toxins.

Fumitory: The above ground parts are used to treat issues arising from liver imbalances.

Milk Thistle: A liver tonic which protects the liver from toxins, including drugs used in cancer chemotherapy.

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine is great for liver imbalances! Traditional Chinese medicine never prescribes herbs singly, but in combination with other herbs that together make a balanced formula which treats a certain pattern of ill health. Over the past 3000 years a very large number of formulas have been developed in order to account for the many specific variations of the known disease patterns. Moreover, each formula can be varied by the practitioner by additions, subtractions, substitutions or modifications in the proportions of the different herbs.

Here is an example. It is an eight-herb formula called Xiao Yao San, variously translated as “Rambling Powder”, “Leisure Powder”, “Free and Easy Wanderer Powder”. The formulas tend to have poetic names! But the names are appropriate. Xiao Yao San is the most commonly used formula for what Chinese medicine calls Liver Qi Stagnation, and treats patterns that include several of the following symptoms: Anger, irritability, frustration or depression; a general feeling of “stress”, tension or anxiety; distension, pressure, discomfort or pain in the chest, rib cage or upper abdomen; neck and shoulder tension; jaw tension, grinding of the teeth; distension, lumps or swellings in the breasts in women; premenstrual syndrome, dysmenorrhea; constipation and/or diarrhoea, bloating, gas, loss of appetite.

IMPORTANT: Never self-diagnose or self-prescribe Chinese herbal formulas!

With regard to lifestyle, the things listed below are generally beneficial to the liver.

• Green Leafy Vegetables and Bitter Greens like kale, collards, chard, spinach, beet greens, bok choy, rucola, chicory, dandelion.

• Sour Foods like sour dough rye bread, sauerkraut, pickles, tart apples, grapefruit, lemons. While these are generally tonifying to the liver in small quantities, in larger quantities they are harmful, especially in spring. (More on the seasonal aspect of diet below.)
• Cooling Foods: Traditionally plums, watercress, celery, mung beans and tofu have been used to cool Liver Heat. However, in spring if there are no heat symptoms, mildly warming vegetables are indicated instead, to align with the seasons energies (see below).
• Mindful Eating: Eat slowly, calmly, avoid eating when stressed.
• Relaxation and de-stressing: Meditation, yoga, taichi, walking in nature, creative activities.
• Physical Exercise: Sport, gym, hiking, etc.
• Stretching: A regular muscle stretching routine.
• Sleep: Adequate regular restful sleep.

And these are things that may harm the Liver:

• Chronic stress and supressed or repressed emotion: tension, frustration, resentment, anger
• Poor diet: excess fatty or spicy foods
• Drugs: alcohol, caffeine, recreational drugs, many pharmaceuticals.
• Poor sleep: shallow or broken sleep, frequently waking during night
• Sedentary lifestyle: lack of physical activity, too much sitting.
• Toxins: environmental pollutants and work-related toxins e.g. varnishes, solvents.
• Overwork: physical or mental strain.
• Wind: exposure to strong wind for too long can agitate liver Qi (energy), while cold wind can disrupt ts proper movement.

Of course this has to be interpreted with common sense. Moderate alcohol or coffee consumption isn’t going to kill you. Brief exposure to a brisk wind may be energising rather than harmful. Pharmaceuticals are not the work of the devil, and taking them is always a balance between risks and benefits.

In spring when the Qi energy of the liver is most active, we need to support it by being especially kind to our livers! So far as diet is concerned, one of the oldest texts on Chinese medicine, The Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon: Basic Questions (The Huangdi Neijing Suwen) recommends aligning the diet with the seasons. In the spring eat foods that support the free flow of Qi and the upward, outward movement of energy characteristic of the season: light, fresh, and mildly warm foods (e.g., young greens, sprouts, leeks), especially those with sweet and slightly acrid flavors (e.g., carrots, fennel, ginger). Young greens and sprouts align perfectly with the upward, outward movement of spring. Avoid heavy, greasy, and overly salty foods, which can stagnate the rising energy of spring.

For good overall health, make sure you are kind to your liver in Springtime!

[The images used in this article are royalty-free.]