Mental-Emotional Pattern
This formula is specific for Liver-Yin deficiency with its associated symptoms and signs such as
insomnia, waking up frequently at night, dry throat, blurred vision, dry eyes, mental restlessness,
night sweating, a Red tongue without coating and a Floating-Empty pulse.
This situation can arise in two ways. Emotional stress, such as anger, resentment, or frustration,
may lead to the rising of Minister Fire which agitates the Heart and the Liver. Fire injures Yin so
that the Ethereal Soul is deprived of its residence. Alternatively, it may start with a reverse
process: overwork combined with irregular diet and excessive sexual activity (and in women too
many childbirths) may deplete Liver-Yin and therefore deprive the Ethereal Soul of its residence.
No matter how this situation arises, the end-result is a condition characterized most of all by
insomnia. The person may also be depressed and lack any sense of vision in life. The mental
restlessness in this condition derives from Yin deficiency and typically manifests with a vague
feeling of anxiety, restlessness and fidgetiness which is worse in the evening.
The Liver is a harmonizing organ and its harmony derives from a proper balance between its
Yang (the free flow of Liver-Qi) and its Yin aspect (Blood and Yin). Mental irritation from
emotional stress stirs up Liver-Yang and injures Liver-Yin and thus alters the balance of Yin and
Yang within the Liver.
This formula is also applicable to some women's problems such as pre-menstrual tension with
breast distension or breast lumps from stagnation of Liver-Qi on a background of Liver-Yin
deficiency. In women, Liver-Yin deficiency is even more likely to happen due to the monthly
loss of menstrual blood which depletes Liver-Blood. In these cases, stagnation of Liver-Qi, with
its associated emotional consequences, is very often secondary to a deficiency of Liver-Yin. The
Yin and Yang aspects of the Liver need to be harmonized and coordinated. If Liver-Yin is
deficient, the Yang aspect of the Liver gets out of control and this may lead to both stagnation of
Liver-Qi and Liver-Yang rising. Thus, this formula can be used for pre-menstrual tension if it
presents with the above configuration.
Finally, although this formula is specific for Liver-Yin deficiency with Empty-Heat, it can also
be used for Liver-Yin deficiency without Empty-Heat. It is therefore applicable also to Mind
Unsettled or Mind Weakened from Yin deficiency.
Variations
- If Empty-Heat manifestations are severe (malar flush and feeling of heat) decrease the
amount of Chuan Xiong and add Sheng Di Huang Radix Rehmanniae glutinosae, Nu
Zhen Zi Fructus Ligustri lucidi and Han Lian Cao Herba Ecliptae prostratae. - If night-sweating is profuse add Di Gu Pi Cortex Lycii chinensis radicis and Wu Wei Zi