Anger (怒) in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Anger (怒) in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Hi friends!

In our previous post, we explored the Joy Pattern, one of the seven emotions recognized in TCM that profoundly influence the HEART. Today, let's delve into the Anger Pattern.

Understanding Anger (nù - 怒 - 노):

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), anger refers to a disease pattern caused by anger damaging the liver, resulting in a blockage of liver Qi flow and Qi stagnation. Anger primarily affects the liver but may also impact the stomach and large intestine. Also anger causes Qi to rise.

Main Symptoms:

The main symptoms of the Anger Pattern include flushed face and eyes, dizziness, vomiting of blood, and chest oppression. These symptoms reflect the profound impact of anger on both physical and emotional well-being.

Clinical Manifestations:

Excessive anger can manifest in various symptoms, providing valuable insights into its impact on the body. These symptoms may include headache, dizziness, tinnitus, a red face, stiff neck, and a wiry pulse.

Have you ever felt a severe headache or experienced a stiff neck when you are very angry? These are common symptoms associated with the Anger Pattern.

In severe cases, anger can lead to syncope due to the stagnation of Qi and blood in the upper part of the body. You may have seen depictions of characters collapsing from extreme anger in K-dramas, illustrating this phenomenon.

Instances like these illustrate the rapid physiological reactions to intense emotional conditions, including elevated blood pressure and the potential for cardiovascular events like heart attack or stroke.

Treatment Approach:

Treating the Anger Pattern requires a thorough strategy aimed at balancing liver Qi and emotional balance. In cases where there's Liver Fire, the goal is to soothe the liver and drain fire, typically using formulas like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang.

On the other hand, when dealing with Liver Qi Stagnation and related emotional distress, the approach involves calming the liver, promoting the smooth flow of Liver Qi, and resolving the associated depression, often employing formulas such as Xiao Yao San.

Additionally, acupuncture targeting specific points such as LV 2 and LV 3 can help regulate Liver Qi and promote a smooth flow of energy throughout the body.

In conclusion, the Anger Pattern underscores the intricate relationship between emotions and organ systems in TCM. By recognizing the subtle signs and symptoms associated with excessive anger, TCM practitioners can tailor holistic treatment approaches to restore harmony within the body-mind-spirit continuum.

Thank you for reading! We'll be going over the Worry Pattern next time. Stay tuned!

Message from our team:

A thorough understanding of the TCM Seven Emotions provides a broader perspective for patient treatment! Understanding the TCM emotional patterns guides us towards accurate diagnoses and targeted therapeutic approaches.


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