In TCM body regulation, soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen is very important. When many people talk about soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, they only think of Chaihu Shugan San and Xiaoyao San. Actually, there are three other proprietary Chinese medicines that are also excellent; today I will explain them to you.

First, let’s talk about Shugan Hewei Wan. In TCM, the Liver governs dispersion; if Liver qi is constrained, it easily affects the transportation and transformation of the Spleen and Stomach. Shugan Hewei Wan mainly functions to soothe the Liver, relieve depression, harmonize the Stomach, and relieve pain. With today’s high life pressure, many people have poor emotions and thus develop Liver qi stagnation with Spleen deficiency. When Liver stagnation with Spleen deficiency occurs, the digestive function of the Spleen and Stomach is affected, leading to epigastric distension and pain, poor appetite, nausea and vomiting, and sometimes constipation. At this time, using Shugan Hewei Wan is particularly appropriate; it can help to unblock Liver qi and restore normal Spleen and Stomach function.

Next, let's talk about Chenxiang Shuqiwán. This medicine can regulate qi and soothe the liver, resolve food accumulation and harmonize the stomach, and also has effects of activating blood and resolving stasis. In people with liver qi stagnation, the body's qi is not flowing smoothly, which makes them prone to pains here and there. For example, some people have frequent stomach pain, pain in the bilateral hypochondriac regions, plus acid reflux, belching, nausea and vomiting, poor appetite, and an irritable temper that flares up at the slightest provocation. These are actually manifestations of liver qi stagnation, and Chenxiang Shuqiwán fits the pattern well. It can help smooth the body's qi, eliminate food stagnation, and promote smooth circulation of qi and blood.

Finally, let's discuss Honghua Xiaoyao San. Just from the name you can tell it is Xiaoyao San with added safflower (Honghua). Xiaoyao San itself has the effect of soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen; with the addition of safflower it gains the function of activating blood and unblocking menstruation. Some people with liver qi stagnation also have blood stasis. When blood is stagnant, qi and blood circulation are impaired, leading to symptoms such as chest and hypochondriac distention and pain, dizziness and visual disturbances, poor appetite, and in women possibly menstrual irregularities and breast distention and pain. In such cases Honghua Xiaoyao San is particularly suitable, as it can both soothe the liver and regulate qi and also activate blood and resolve stasis, dispersing the stagnation in the body.

So, when you want to soothe the liver and strengthen the spleen in the future, don’t just focus on Chaihu Shugan San and Xiaoyao San; these three patent Chinese medicines are also worth keeping on hand. However, medication should be taken under a doctor's guidance and you must not take it casually on your own.