Liver relief is a common method in traditional Chinese medicine conditioning, but the medication is also different according to the different degrees and stages of liver depression. It can generally be divided into four levels, each corresponding to different syndrome types and prescriptions.

The first level is simple liver depression. The liver is responsible for draining and regulating the qi of the whole body. If the mood is not comfortable and the liver qi is stagnant, people are prone to depression or irritability, accompanied by chest tightness, sighing, flank swelling and pain, etc. At this time, it is suitable to use a type of prescription called Bupleurum Shugan Powder to loosen the liver and regulate qi and restore the smooth flow of qi.

The second level is liver depression and spleen, that is, liver depression affects the spleen and stomach. In traditional Chinese medicine, there is a saying that "liver wood multiplies the spleen soil", and liver qi discomfort often leads to loss of spleen luck, loss of appetite, bloating and loose stools, indigestion and other spleen deficiency symptoms. At this time, it is not enough to loosen the liver alone, and it is necessary to cooperate with the spleen, and you can choose to use Xiangsha Liujun Pills, which not only circulates qi but also strengthens the spleen.

The third level is liver stagnation and fire. If the qi stagnates for a long time, it will turn into heat and liver fire will rise, which is manifested as bitter mouth and dry throat, irritability, insomnia and headache, dry stools, etc. At this time, it is necessary to clear the liver fire on the basis of soothing the liver, and the dan skin and gardenia in Dan Gardenia Xiaoyao San can clear heat and cool blood, which is just right.

The fourth level is long-term liver depression and depletion of yin fluid. Liver fire not only burns the liver yin, but also consumes kidney water, forming liver and kidney yin deficiency, resulting in hot hands and feet, night sweats, dry mouth and astringent eyes, red tongue and less coating. At this time, it is necessary to use both yin nourishing and liver soothing, and a consistent decoction of earth, sand ginseng, wheat winter, etc. can nourish the yin of the liver and kidneys, and also use neem seeds to loosen the liver, taking into account both the specimen and the root cause.

In the outpatient clinic, I received a middle-aged woman who had been depressed for a long time, initially suffered from flank distension and chest tightness, and was not treated in time. The symptoms are liver stagnation and fire, burning yin fluids, and it is between the third and fourth grades. Use Dan Gardenia Xiaoyao to add and subtract from a consistent decoction to soothe the liver and clear heat while taking into account yin nourishment. After a month, the dryness and mood improved significantly.

It should be noted that the use of liver-relieving drugs still needs to be differentiated, and different physiques and mixed pathogenesis should be dealt with flexibly, and it is recommended to choose prescription drugs under the guidance of professional physicians.