Liver Qi Stagnation

Liver Qi Stagnation (Liver Chi Stagnation) is a very common cause of infertility in today’s fast paced world where stress is high, self-care is neglected, and restaurant meals are abundant.

This is what’s going on in your body if you have Liver Chi Stagnation:

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Liver Chi Stagnation is closely tied to emotional problems such as anxiety, depression, and irritability. It’s often caused by acute or chronic stress that becomes lodged in the body, creating a block near the upper abdomen area. When you don’t have good circulation around the stagnant spot, which is made even worse by eating greasy foods, your reproductive organs don’t get adequate blood flow to nourish them. By resolving this chronic state of tension, you’ll make profound improvements to your fertility.

If you have Liver Chi Stagnation, you most likely:

  • Experience dull, throbbing headaches

  • Breakout with acne, get constipated, or have tender breasts before your period

  • Get moody, irritable, and easily frustrated when you’re PMSing

  • Have irregular menstrual cycles, spotting before your period, or dark red period blood

  • Always feel stressed out, stretched thin, and like you’re pouring from an empty cup

  • Feel stuck, stagnant, or blocked near your diaphragm area where your bra line is

  • Have pain on the lateral sides of the torso and in the lower belly

  • Have a tongue with a purple color or hue

  • Feel overworked, anxious, a little bit angry, and sometimes depressed

Did you know that mouth breathing activates the fight or flight response? Your body literally thinks you’re in danger when you breathe through your mouth.

You don’t need to spend 15 minutes a day meditating when you learn how to properly maximize each breath. Our six breath, busy gal’s meditation resets your nervous system in less than one minute. Any time you’re feeling high-strung and overscheduled, pause and take a breath in through your nose. Then, exhale through your mouth with your lips pursed like you’re blowing through a straw.  Repeat two more times and you’ll feel ready to get back to work.

How did your Liver Chi Stagnate and what do you do to reverse it?

Causes of Liver Chi Stagnation:

  • Constantly over packing your schedule and feeling stressed out 

  • Eating too many restaurant meals and takeout made with low quality oils

  • Not prioritizing exercise or making time for self-care

Because Liver Chi Stagnation is rooted in stress, changing your perception on how you view life is a vital step to healing. When you’re addicted to being busy, it’s easy to rely on takeout, but the refined oil in those restaurant meals creates more stagnation, preventing necessary blood flow to your reproductive organs.

Foods to add into your diet:

  • Any warm food like soups 

  • Hot herbal tea

  • Room temperature drinking water

  • Cooked vegetables, especially mildly spicy ones like onions and garlic

  • Herbs and Spices: turmeric, basil, mint, ginger, lemon balm, cumin, fennel, horseradish

Foods to avoid:

  • Fried foods, processed meat, and greasy restaurant meals

  • Pastries, pizza, and gluten

  • Raw vegetables, iced drinks, and excessively cold foods

  • High fat dairy, cheese, and ice cream

  • Refined sugar, candy, and sweets

If you’re diligent, you can reverse Liver Chi Stagnation in a matter of months. In addition to cooking more at home, this is the time to prioritize self-care and movement. You don't have to do anything crazy. Let an epsom salt bath, a leisurely walk in your neighborhood, or time spent being creative be the start to your healing journey.