Today let’s talk about a “big brother” in the field of soothing the liver — Shugan Jianpi Wan. When it comes to liver qi stagnation, many people first think of Chaihu Shugan Wan; that medicine indeed has real efficacy in soothing the liver, relieving depression, and harmonizing qi movement. But some people don’t get satisfactory results after using it, and some even develop signs of heat. What’s going on?

In fact, this is very likely because prolonged liver qi stagnation has also damaged the spleen and stomach. When the spleen and stomach are weak, transport and transformation are impaired, so ingested medicines are poorly absorbed; they can instead produce stagnation, worsening the blockage, and heat symptoms then appear.

At this point, we need to regulate the liver and spleen together. Shugan Jianpi Wan (Liver-soothing and Spleen-strengthening Pills) is a good choice. This medicine contains turmeric (Yu Jin), which moves qi and relieves depression, and red peony root (Chi Shao), which soothes the liver and disperses stasis—both are excellent assistants for soothing the liver. Even better, it also includes Chinese yam (Shan Yao) and codonopsis (Dang Shen) to strengthen the spleen and harmonize the stomach. One formula treats multiple issues: it can relieve constraint and soothe the liver, resolve accumulation, and strengthen the spleen and stomach.

If you have manifestations of liver qi stagnation—such as irritability, chest oppression and discomfort—combined with spleen-stomach deficiency symptoms like poor appetite, abdominal bloating or pain, belching, acid regurgitation, and fatigue, you can try Shugan Jianpi Wan for regulation. Of course, how to use it specifically should be decided by a professional TCM practitioner.

However, a reminder: if liver qi stagnation has led to insomnia, or if there is internal damp-heat, Shugan Jianpi Wan may not be appropriate. Therefore, whenever medication-based regulation is involved, it is essential to proceed under the guidance of a professional TCM practitioner; do not self-medicate.