What to eat for excessive liver fire, damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, and kidney essence deficiency
Nov 07, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Sun Lianqing
Introduction
Individuals with excessive liver fire, damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, or deficiency of kidney essence may generally consume ingredients such as Lycium fruit (goji berries), Poria, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and Chinese yam to assist in regulation. Lycium fruit nourishes the liver and kidneys, clears liver heat, and improves vision. It can not only alleviate soreness and weakness in the lower back and knees caused by kidney essence deficiency, but also help clear excessive liver fire, improving symptoms such as dizziness, vertigo, and dry eyes resulting from hyperactive liver fire. Moreover, its nature is balanced and mild, so it does not aggravate damp-heat in the spleen and stomach.
Individuals with excessive liver fire, damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, or deficiency of kidney essence may generally consume certain foods such as Lycium berries (goji berries), Poria, lotus seeds, lily bulbs, and Chinese yam to assist in regulation. Specific details are as follows:
1. **Lycium berries (Goji berries)**: Lycium berries nourish the liver and kidneys and clear liver fire to improve vision. They help alleviate symptoms of low back and knee soreness caused by kidney essence deficiency, while also assisting in clearing excessive liver fire, improving dizziness, vertigo, and dry eyes due to liver fire excess. With a neutral nature, they do not aggravate damp-heat in the spleen and stomach, making them suitable for daily consumption as an infusion or added to congee.
2. **Poria**: Poria strengthens the spleen and removes dampness, calming the mind and promoting tranquility. It improves symptoms such as abdominal distension, poor appetite, and sticky stools caused by damp-heat in the spleen and stomach. By eliminating dampness, it reduces the negative impact of damp-heat on the body and indirectly supports kidney essence preservation, preventing downward invasion of damp-heat that could damage the kidneys. It is best used in soups or porridge.
3. **Lotus seeds**: Lotus seeds tonify the spleen and stop diarrhea, benefit the kidneys and consolidate essence, and clear the heart to calm the spirit. They help regulate diarrhea and spleen deficiency caused by damp-heat, nourish kidney essence, and relieve fatigue due to kidney essence deficiency. Additionally, they clear heart fire and help subdue liver fire. Suitable for sweet soups or cooking with grains.
4. **Lily bulbs**: Lily bulbs nourish yin and moisten the lungs, and clear the heart to calm the spirit. They assist in clearing liver fire and relieving irritability and anger caused by excessive liver fire. Their yin-nourishing effect helps balance the internal heat associated with spleen and stomach dampness, and indirectly nourishes kidney essence, improving depletion caused by internal heat due to yin deficiency. Ideal for stewed soups or cold dishes.
5. **Chinese yam**: Chinese yam strengthens the spleen and stomach, generates fluids, benefits the lungs, and tonifies the kidneys to secure essence. It directly improves spleen and stomach function, reducing the production of damp-heat, while nourishing kidney essence and relieving soreness in the lower back and knees due to kidney deficiency. With a mild nature, it does not exacerbate liver fire, making it suitable for steaming, boiling into congee, or stir-frying.
Dietary regulation requires long-term consistency; avoid excessive intake of any single food at one time. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical advice promptly. Treatment should be based on individual constitution and pattern differentiation, and should not rely solely on dietary adjustments.
