When frustrations settle under the ribs

A feeling of fullness or tightness under the ribs, a belly that knots up with frustration, frequent sighing, an appetite that closes when you are preoccupied, digestion that slows on busy days, a more irritable mood… In TCM, these signs may be associated with Liver Qi stagnation that interferes with the Stomach and the Spleen. According to tradition, the Liver ensures the free flow of Qi; when it gets blocked, it weighs on the centre, and digestion loses its harmony. Over time, the Blood itself may linger.

Shu Gan Zhi Tong Wan is a formula from the Chinese pharmacopoeia, offered here in a short, adapted version. Its core recalls Xiao Yao San, the great formula for freeing Liver Qi: it shares bupleurum, angelica, white peony and atractylodes. It adds cyperus and Sichuan lovage to move Qi and Blood, red peony and skullcap to temper, and radish seeds to lighten digestion.

Freeing the Liver, sparing the centre

Bupleurum and cyperus free Liver Qi. Angelica, Sichuan lovage and the two peonies nourish the Blood and help it flow, because according to tradition the Liver stores the Blood and becomes supple when nourished by it. Atractylodes supports the Spleen, radish seeds make Stomach Qi descend, and skullcap tempers the heat that stagnation can give rise to.

Helps free Liver Qi: Bupleurum opens, cyperus moves: this pair undoes the knots of Qi that form with frustration.

Harmonises the Liver and Stomach: Atractylodes strengthens the Spleen, which tradition sees as the first to be affected when the Liver gets blocked, and radish seeds help Stomach Qi descend again, for smoother digestion.

Harmonises Qi and Blood: The peonies, the largest share of the formula, soften the Liver; angelica and Sichuan lovage carry the Blood along with the Qi, so that nothing lingers.