Longstanding liver chi stagnation (from emotional tension and ongoing stress and inappropriate diet) is the cause of liver blood stagnation. Chi moves blood so when chi stops flowing, so does blood. When liver blood stagnates it creates the following symptoms: Symptoms: Depression, irritability, abdominal pain, abdominal masses and feeling…

Kidney yang deficiency affects many aspects of health including core energy, sexual energy, lower back strength, knee strength, bone strength, hair and reproduction. It is affiliated with CFS chronic fatigue syndrome. Lifestyle plays a crucial part in developing kidney yang deficiency. Kidney yang is referred to as the ‘fire…

This pattern is affiliated with gallstones and is caused by longterm stress generating anger, and excessive consumption of greasy and fatty foods. The dampness formed by the greasy food combines with the heat caused by strong emotions. The gallstones form over a long period of time from dampness under…

Dampness is heavy, it obstructs the water passages in the lower body and interferes with the urinary bladder function of chi transformation causing urgent and difficult urination and the feeling of heaviness which is typical for dampness. Excessive exposure to exterior dampness and cold contributes to the development. Symptoms:…

This is a pattern affiliated with chronic disease (in TCM chronic diseases can be cured or relieved) and osteoporosis. The kidneys store your essence (jing), the substance that nourishes, fuels and cools the body, and is also responsible for human growth, reproduction and bones. In health, jing is abundant…

This pattern is caused by anger, frustration and resentment over a long period of time disrupting the balance of yin and yang necessary for healthy behaviour. The loss of yin causes liver yang to rise, which then sets off a chain reaction of unhealthy and dangerous behaviours. Symptoms: Headache…

The inability to manage stress and anger; a hectic lifestyle, and excessive use of drugs or alcohol causes heat in the liver, makes the chi and blood move upwards and everything becomes a trigger to act urgently and behave reactively. Symptoms: Irritability, outbursts of anger, red face and eyes,…

In this pattern the liver’s function of storing blood is interfered with due to factors such as chronic sleep deprivation, skipping breakfast, rushing lunch or no lunch; nutrient poor diet, excessive coffee, lack of relaxation, lack of mindfulness, or hard core exercising combined with ‘explosive’ pre-workout supplements. This pattern…

A chronic condition involving spleen and kidney. Your spleen controls transportation and transformation, and kidney yang warms the spleen to support its functions. Yang deficiency in the spleen or kidneys will cause dysfunction of transportation and transformation, leading to loose stools, diarrhoea, stomach rumbling, chronic diarrhoea, and a cold…

The liver is responsible for a smooth flow of chi around your body. It ensures that your muscles and organs have a constant supply of chi for movement, digestion, blood flow, and the flow of the emotions. If liver chi stagnates, due to emotional tension, ongoing stress and inappropriate…