How to Differentiate Between Liver Fire and Liver Qi?
Disease description:
Recently, my mood has been poor, and I’ve been prone to irritability. After visiting the hospital for a check-up, the doctor said my liver function is suboptimal and that I have excessive “liver fire.” Could you please explain the difference between “liver fire” and “liver qi”?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. He Haochen
The causes and manifestations of “Liver Fire” and “Liver Qi” imbalances differ. Liver Qi deficiency typically results from impaired liver function, whereas Liver Fire arises from excessive Liver Yang. Common symptoms of Liver Fire include red eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, poor sleep, dry stools, and irritability. In contrast, Liver Qi imbalance commonly presents with low mood, frequent anger, chest tightness, and shortness of breath—symptoms that often improve significantly with deep breathing.
