What symptoms are associated with excessive liver fire?

Sep 13, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, the main symptoms of excessive liver fire include dry and bitter mouth, dizziness and headache, dry eyes and redness, poor sleep quality, and irritability. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical treatment at a regular hospital. In addition, some patients may also experience symptoms such as tinnitus, yellowish-red urine, and constipation. If you notice any of the above symptoms, you should adjust your lifestyle habits promptly and avoid staying up late.

Generally, the main symptoms of excessive liver fire include dry and bitter mouth, dizziness and headache, dry eyes and red eyes, poor sleep, and irritability. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely diagnosis and treatment at a正规 hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Dry and Bitter Mouth

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the liver governs the free flow of qi and body fluids. When liver fire is excessive, it consumes body fluids and affects bile secretion, causing bile to rise into the mouth, resulting in dryness and bitterness. Patients often feel dryness in the mouth, which cannot be relieved even by drinking water, and bitter taste is more noticeable upon waking up in the morning. Some individuals may also experience bad breath.

2. Dizziness and Headache

Excessive liver fire disturbs the circulation of qi and blood in the head, blocking the meridians and causing dizziness and headache. Patients often experience a feeling of distending pain, mainly concentrated on both temples. Symptoms worsen after emotional excitement or fatigue, and some may experience vertigo.

3. Dry Eyes and Red Eyes

In TCM theory, "the liver opens into the eyes." Excessive liver fire consumes ocular fluids and irritates the eyes, causing dryness, itching, easy visual fatigue after prolonged use of the eyes, redness of the whites of the eyes, and in severe cases, redness and swelling of the eyelids or photophobia.

4. Poor Sleep

Excessive liver fire disturbs the mind, leading to mental restlessness and affecting sleep quality. Patients often have difficulty falling asleep, wake up easily at night, experience vivid and intense dreams, feel tired after waking, and may feel listless and have difficulty concentrating during the day.

5. Irritability

The liver regulates emotions. When liver fire is excessive, its regulatory function becomes impaired, leading to emotional instability. Patients often display temper outbursts, becoming angry easily over minor issues, with significant mood swings, and may also experience restlessness, anxiety, and chest tightness.

In addition, some patients may also experience tinnitus, yellowish or dark urine, and dry, hard stools. If the above symptoms are present, timely lifestyle adjustments should be made, including avoiding staying up late, reducing intake of spicy, greasy, and stimulating foods, appropriately consuming heat-clearing foods such as chrysanthemum, wolfberry, and bitter melon, maintaining emotional stability, and seeking medical advice when necessary.

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