Can excessive liver fire cause mouth ulcers?

In general, excessive liver fire can lead to mouth ulcers.

Excessive liver fire refers to a condition characterized by an overabundance of Yang energy in the liver. When liver fire becomes too intense, it can cause internal heat accumulation, and when this heat affects the mouth, it may result in symptoms of oral ulcers. These ulcers often occur on the lips, gums, tip of the tongue, and inner cheeks. They typically appear yellowish-white with red, swollen surrounding tissue, are numerous, tend to merge into patches, and are associated with severe pain. In more severe cases, they may be accompanied by headaches, dizziness, a bitter taste in the mouth, and other symptoms.

For oral ulcers caused by excessive liver fire, treatment should primarily focus on clearing and draining liver fire. Medications such as Long Dan Xie Gan Wan (Dragon胆泻肝丸), Zhi Bai Di Huang Wan (知柏地黄丸), and Jia Wei Xiao Yao Wan (加味逍遥丸), which have functions of clearing heat and detoxifying, regulating liver Qi, and nourishing Yin to reduce fire, can be used for treatment. In addition to pharmacological therapy, patients should also pay attention to emotional regulation, maintain a calm state of mind, and avoid excessive fatigue and emotional fluctuations. Regarding diet, spicy, fried, and other heat-inducing foods should be avoided, while foods that help clear liver fire, such as bitter melon and celery, should be consumed more frequently.

In addition, regularly drinking tea made from chrysanthemum flowers and Lycium berries (goji berries) in daily life can also aid in regulating excessive liver fire and preventing recurrence of oral ulcers. Chrysanthemum is sweet in taste and cold in nature, possessing functions of dispersing wind-heat and improving vision by acting on the liver. Lycium berries help nourish liver Yin. Both ingredients are considered to have medicinal and dietary properties, and long-term consumption can achieve therapeutic effects for excessive liver fire.