What Chinese patent medicine should be taken for liver qi stagnation?
Generally, for liver qi stagnation, one can take Chinese patent medicines such as Xiaoyao Pills, Chaihu Shugan Pills, Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills, Shugan Liqi Pills, and Yueju Pills to relieve symptoms.
1. Xiaoyao Pills: The main ingredients of Xiaoyao Pills include Bupleurum (Chaihu), Angelica (Danggui), and White Peony Root (Baishao). Among them, Bupleurum helps to soothe the liver and relieve depression, thereby effectively alleviating symptoms such as chest and flank distension and pain, dizziness, blurred vision, and loss of appetite caused by liver qi stagnation.
2. Chaihu Shugan Pills: Chaihu Shugan Pills contain herbal ingredients such as Bupleurum (Chaihu), Nutgrass Fleeceflower Root (Xiangfu), and Green Tangerine Peel (Qingpi). Bupleurum and Nutgrass Fleeceflower Root help to regulate liver qi, while Green Tangerine Peel aids in regulating qi and relieving epigastric fullness. These ingredients effectively relieve symptoms such as chest tightness and belching caused by liver qi stagnation.
3. Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills: Jiawei Xiaoyao Pills contain Cortex Moutan (Danpi) and Gardenia (Zhi zi). Cortex Moutan clears heat and cools the blood, while Gardenia clears fire and relieves irritability, and clears heat and drains dampness. Together, they help clear liver heat and are beneficial for relieving symptoms of liver qi stagnation accompanied by heat manifestations, such as irritability, dry mouth, bitter taste, and other symptoms of liver fire due to emotional depression.
4. Shugan Liqi Pills: Shugan Liqi Pills mainly consist of herbs such as Aristolochia (Qingmuxiang), Pinellia (Jiangbanxia), and Tangerine Peel (Chenpi). Qingmuxiang regulates qi and relieves pain, detoxifies and reduces swelling; Jiangbanxia reverses counterflow and stops vomiting, dries dampness and resolves phlegm; Chenpi regulates qi and strengthens the spleen. Together, these ingredients have the effects of soothing the liver, regulating qi, and relieving depression, effectively improving symptoms such as chest and flank distension, and qi stagnation caused by liver qi stagnation.
5. Yueju Pills: Yueju Pills are composed of herbs such as Nutgrass Fleeceflower Root (Xiangfu), Szechwan Lovage Rhizome (Chuanxiong), and Atractylodes (Cangzhu). Nutgrass Fleeceflower Root regulates qi and relieves depression; Szechwan Lovage Rhizome activates blood circulation, removes blood stasis, regulates qi, and relieves pain; Atractylodes dries dampness and strengthens the spleen. The formula can treat various symptoms caused by liver qi stagnation, such as chest and epigastric fullness, abdominal distension and pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Individuals with liver qi stagnation should also pay attention to emotional regulation in daily life, maintain a cheerful mood, keep a regular routine, ensure sufficient sleep, which helps to soothe the liver and regulate qi. Moderate exercise, such as walking or jogging, also helps promote the circulation of qi and blood.