Qi-Stagnation Constitution — TCM Food Therapy & Dietary Approach

The qi-stagnation constitution is a constitutional state formed by long-term emotional disturbance and stagnation of qi movement.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Patterns

In TCM, this constitution is differentiated into several patterns, each with a classical herbal formula:

Liver Qi Constraint with Blood Deficiency and Spleen Weakness Pattern

Formula: Xiaoyao San (Free and Easy Wanderer Powder) (Formulary of the Bureau of the People's Welfare Pharmacies)

Ingredients: bupleurum root, Chinese angelica root, white peony root, atractylodes rhizome, poria, ginger (roasted ginger), mint, and honey-fried licorice

Traditionally used to soothe the liver and relieve constraint, and nourish blood and strengthen the spleen.

Liver Qi Depression Pattern (constrained liver qi)

Formula: Chaihu Shugan San (Bupleurum Liver-Coursing Powder) (Jingyue's Complete Works)

Ingredients: bupleurum root, tangerine peel, Sichuan lovage root, cyperus rhizome, bitter orange, peony root, and licorice

Traditionally used to soothe the liver and move qi, and harmonize the blood to relieve pain.

Six Stagnations (qi, blood, phlegm, fire, dampness, and food) Syndrome, with qi stagnation as the primary factor

Formula: Yue Ju Wan (Escape Restraint Pill) (Teachings of Master Danxi, by Zhu Zhenheng, Yuan dynasty)

Ingredients: cyperus rhizome, atractylodes rhizome, Sichuan lovage root, gardenia fruit, and medicated leaven

Traditionally used to move qi and relieve constraint, and soothe the liver and regulate the spleen.

These formulas are for reference under TCM constitution differentiation and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Food Therapy & Diet

Dietary Therapy Recipes

Rose Tea: put 6–10 dried rose buds (about 15 g) in a cup, rinse once with boiling water, then add boiling water again, cover, and steep for about 5 minutes; drink frequently as a tea. Traditionally used to regulate qi, relieve constraint, soothe the liver and rouse the spleen, and invigorate blood and regulate menstruation.
Rose and Finger Citron Tea: 3 g rose buds and 5 g finger citron, steeped together in boiling water for 10 minutes; drink as a tea when the temperature is comfortable, 2–3 times daily. Traditionally used to regulate qi and relieve constraint, and harmonize the stomach and relieve pain; suitable for liver-stomach disharmony with hypochondriac distension, epigastric pain, belching, and poor appetite.
Finger Citron Congee: 10 g finger citron, 100 g japonica rice, and rock sugar to taste. Decoct the finger citron slices in water to obtain the liquid and discard the residue; cook the washed rice in water into congee, and when half-done pour in the liquid and rock sugar and cook until done; take warm in 2 divided doses. Traditionally used to regulate qi and relieve pain, and resolve phlegm and stop vomiting.
Tangerine Peel Congee: grind 50 g tangerine peel into a fine powder; cook 100 g washed japonica rice in water into congee, and when nearly done add the tangerine peel powder and cook 10 more minutes. Traditionally used to regulate qi and activate the spleen; for epigastric and abdominal fullness with poor appetite.
Plum Blossom Congee: 5 g white plum blossom and 80 g japonica rice. First cook the rice into congee, then add the white plum blossom and boil for 2–3 minutes; eat one bowl per meal. Traditionally used to soothe the liver, regulate qi, and stimulate appetite; especially suitable for those with poor appetite and chest oppression.

Dietary Principles

Favor foods that soothe the liver, regulate qi, and move qi to relieve constraint: rose, finger citron, citron, tangerine peel, jasmine flower, silk tree flower, green calyx plum, and chrysanthemum, which may be taken as teas; also eat vegetables and fruits such as radish, lotus root, hawthorn, citrus (kumquat is best eaten with its seeds), daylily, kelp, celery, garland chrysanthemum, tomato, and luffa.
Eat more green vegetables to soothe the liver; cook vegetables before eating to balance their cooling nature; take moderate amounts of jujube, lily bulb, and lotus seed to strengthen the spleen and nourish the heart and calm the mind.
Avoid or reduce sour-astringent, cloying, and qi-impeding items, as well as spicy and fatty, sweet, greasy foods; quit smoking and limit alcohol.
Avoid tea, coffee, cocoa and other stimulating drinks before bed, to prevent worsening insomnia.
A small amount of alcohol (preferably grape wine) may help free the vessels and relax the qi mechanism, but avoid overindulgence.

Understanding the Constitution

The qi-stagnation constitution is a constitutional state formed by long-term emotional disturbance and stagnation of qi movement. Its overall feature is stagnation of qi movement, characterized mainly by mental depression, worry and emotional fragility (per the Classification and Determination of Constitutions in Chinese Medicine standard). It is formed mostly through heredity and postnatal emotional disharmony: if the mother was emotionally constricted and depressed during pregnancy, this can be passed on to the offspring; or mental trauma, family misfortune or discrimination in childhood, or long-term work stress, unfulfilled desires, worry, gloom and anxiety that cannot be relieved, will over time obstruct the smooth movement of qi and consolidate into a constitution. Mechanistically, the liver governs free coursing and prefers free flow while detesting depression; emotional frustration and anger injure the liver, so the liver fails to course freely and qi movement stagnates, forming 'liver qi depression.' Qi stagnation comes first and stagnation is the root; qi is the commander of blood, qi moving enables blood to move, and prolonged qi stagnation leads to blood stasis; stagnation of qi movement also impairs the distribution of fluids, causing dampness to accumulate and phlegm to form — phlegm and qi binding in the throat produces 'plum-pit qi' (globus hystericus), and binding in the neck produces goiter; liver qi invading the stomach causes epigastric distension, pain and belching, and liver disease affecting the spleen causes poor appetite, abdominal distension, and loose uncomfortable stools. People with this constitution therefore tend to be lean, with a depressed expression, emotional fragility, sensitivity and overthinking, frequent sighing, and susceptibility to visceral agitation (zang zao), plum-pit qi, lily disease (baihe bing), and constraint syndromes.

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.