Liver-Yang syndrome

A secondary syndrome might be a coexisting syndrome that is less important at the time of treatment. For example, in an acute condition of Liver-Yang ascending and generating Liver-wind, the patient may also have a syndrome of Spleen-Qi deficiency but this is less important for treatment in this acute condition. 

For patients who suffer from a cold syndrome, raw and cold food should be avoided. For patients who suffer from a heat syndrome or a syndrome where the Liver-Yang is ascending, spicy, heavy food, coffee and alcohol should be avoided. For patients who suffer from syndromes of damp-phlegm or damp-heat accumulation, sweet heavy food, milk products, nuts and alcohol should be avoided. Patients who suffer from skin disorders or have wounds which are characterized by itching, oozing and redness should avoid seafood, spicy food and alcohol. 

Before receiving drug treatment, patients with hypertension often have a syndrome of Liver-Yang ascending with Kidney-Yin and Liver-Yin deficiency. 

Third, Yin deficiency may trigger a tendency of Yang ascending that causes severe headache, a red face, dizziness, vertigo and tingling of the limbs. If the condition is not treated in time, it may develop into Liver-wind syndrome. 

Dizziness, tinnitus and insomnia due to Liver-Yang ascending add Mu Li [Ostrea concha) to descend the Liver-Yang as long as it exists in the syndrome. 

The syndrome of Liver-Yang ascending is caused mainly by Liver-Yin deficiency. It often exists in people who are over 50 years old when the Yin of the Liver becomes weak with age people who are under persistent stress where the restrained heat in the Liver may easily injure the Yin people who suffer from chronic diseases, use certain medicines or have a dietary habit that leads to injury of the Liver-Yin. 

These herbs can regulate the Qi, which is disturbed by the quick ascending of Liver-Yang and Liver-wind. As soon as the Qi descends or moves smoothly, Liver-wind is extinguished. For this reason, these herbs are often selected as deputies to treat the secondary syndrome. 

Qing Hao is bitter, cold and aromatic, and enters the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians. It can clear and disperse heat from these meridians, especially from the blood and Yin levels. In a formula that descends the Liver-Yang, Qing Hao is used as a corrective assistant to disperse and ascend the restrained Liver-Qi, which is suppressed by the heavy and cold descending minerals and herbs. Meanwhile, since Qing Hao can brighten the eyes, clear summer-heat and damp-heat, it can be selected if red and swollen eyes with blurred vision are present in the syndrome. 

There are three big groups with clear, specific actions to treat three aspects of the syndrome and they are organized in a very balanced way. They treat the cause and the manifestations at the same time they focus on stopping the pathological development of Liver-Yang and Liver-wind but do not ignore the proper movement of the Qi, the condition of the Stomach and the Liver. 

This formula is able to pacify the Liver-wind, clear heat and invigorate blood. It is used for treating the common syndrome or chronic condition of Liver-wind disturbance in a condition of Liver-Yin deficiency with Liver-Yang ascending. The main symptoms are headache, dizziness, irritability and... 

Figure 14.1 Etiology and pathology of syndromes of Liver-Yang and Liver-wind.

In clinical practice, this formula is used not only to relieve Shao Yang syndrome, but also to treat Qi stagnation in the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians when Liver-Qi overacts on the Stomach, impairing digestion and weakening the body s resistance. 

The Yang type of Yong Yang syndrome is characterized by localized redness, swelling, hot sensations and pain. High fever and general pain may also exist. This syndrome appears in acute inflammations, such as carbuncles, furuncles, abscesses and infected open wounds. The book The Yellow Emperor s Classic of Internal Medicine indicated Most of the sores which are painful, itchy and swollen are due to fire. In clinical practice, this syndrome is mainly related to fire disturbance of the Heart, Liver and Stomach. 

Mu Dan Pi is pungent and cold, and enters the Liver meridian. It is able to clear empty-heat in the blood and is often selected in the formula to treat a sub-acute condition of Yang-type Yong Yang syndrome when the excess heat has consumed the Yin, especially the Liver-Yin. 

Shu Di Huang is sweet and slightly warm, and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It can tonify the blood and Kidney-essence so as to treat the cause of Yin-type Yong Yang syndrome. 

Ji Xue Teng is bitter, slightly sweet and warm, and enters the Liver and Kidney meridians. It can tonify the blood and promote blood circulation. As it is the vine of the plant, it has the function of opening up the meridians and collaterals. It can treat stiffness and numbness of limbs due to blood deficiency and blood stagnation. It can be used in the formula for treating Yin-type Yong Yang syndrome, especially when the muscles and joints are stiff and... 

---