Irritability — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach
In TCM, emotional frustration and anger may injure the liver, so the liver fails to course freely and qi movement stagnates.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns
In TCM, this concern is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:
Liver Depression Transforming into Fire
Formula: Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San (Moutan and Gardenia Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) — from *Summary of Internal Medicine*
Liver Fire Flaming Upward (Exuberant Heart and Liver Fire)
Formula: Longdan Xiegan Tang (Gentiana Decoction to Drain the Liver) — from *Yi Fang Ji Jie*
These formulas are for reference under TCM syndrome differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.
Food Therapy & Diet
Dietary Therapy Recipes
- Chrysanthemum, Wolfberry and Cassia Seed Tea: 10 g wolfberry fruit, 6 g white chrysanthemum (hangbaiju), 20 g cassia seed (juemingzi). Steep and drink.
- Chrysanthemum and Cassia Seed Porridge: 30 g fresh chrysanthemum, 15 g cassia seed, 100 g polished round-grained rice. Cook into porridge.
- Stir-fried Celery with Shrimp: 200 g celery, 40 g shrimp meat. Stir-fry.
- Chicken Shreds with Enoki Mushroom and Lily Bulb: 20 g chicken shreds, 200 g enoki mushroom (jinzhengu), 1 fresh lily bulb.
Dietary Principles
- Favor a light diet with bitter, cold foods that clear the liver (bitter melon, celery, chrysanthemum, cassia seed, mung bean, winter melon, lily bulb, white radish).
- Drink chrysanthemum, cassia seed and wolfberry tea frequently.
- Avoid acrid, dry and heating foods (chili pepper, Sichuan pepper, fresh ginger, lamb, dog meat, fried foods, strong liquor).
- Avoid rich, sweet, greasy foods, strong tea and coffee.
- Avoid excessive anger and staying up late; keep the emotions regulated.
Understanding the Condition
In TCM, emotional frustration and anger may injure the liver, so the liver fails to course freely and qi movement stagnates; over time this may transform into fire, whose nature rises upward and disturbs along the meridian. Exuberant liver fire may stir heart fire, producing liver-heart fire exuberance with disturbance of the spirit.
This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.