The Power of Emotions in Traditional Chinese Medicine

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emotions are more than just feelings—they are vital influences on our overall health, including our hormonal and reproductive well-being. According to TCM, the “Seven Affects” (or Seven Emotions) are key internal causes of disease: anger/rage, fear, worry/thought, sadness/grief, joy, shock/fright, and anxiety. Each of these, when excessive, directly impacts a specific organ system.

When it comes to anger, the primary organ affected is the Liver—which plays a crucial role in menstrual health.

How Anger Disrupts the Flow of Qi (Energy)

In TCM, Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the vital energy that moves through our bodies. Anger can disrupt this movement, causing Qi to flow upward instead of circulating smoothly. This “counterflow” of Qi can lead to symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, high blood pressure, and emotional outbursts. Other emotions also impact Qi movement—fear, for example, causes Qi to sink downward.

When Qi becomes erratic, the body struggles to maintain balance, and this can lead to menstrual irregularities.

The Liver and Your Menstrual Cycle

The Liver is responsible for two essential functions in relation to menstruation:

1. Ensuring the smooth flow of Qi
2. Storing and regulating blood

If anger stagnates or congests the Liver’s Qi, it can result in a variety of menstrual symptoms:

1. Qi Stagnation and PMS Symptoms

When Liver Qi is stagnant, it disrupts the proper flow of blood to the uterus, leading to:

• Irregular timing of menstrual cycles (can be delayed or early)
• PMS irritability and mood swings
• Breast tenderness
• Menstrual cycles that start and stop and start again
• Physical tension (tight neck, jaw clenching, body stiffness, headaches)
• Feeling stuck emotionally or depressed

   

2. Qi Stagnation Leading to Blood Stagnation

Qi moves the blood along with it, so when Qi is blocked due to anger, blood stagnation can follow. This shows up as:

• Menstrual cramps
• Dark menstrual flow
• Small or Large Blood clots

   

3. Liver Blood Deficiency 

The Liver also ensures there is enough blood to sustain a healthy menstrual cycle. If Liver Blood becomes deficient, it can lead to:

• Light or scanty periods
• Delayed or absent cycles
• Dizziness, dry skin, and brittle nails (signs of blood deficiency)

   

4. Liver Qi Stagnation Turning into Heat (Liver Fire)

If unresolved over time, Liver Qi stagnation can transform into Liver Fire, which can lead to:

• Heavy or early periods (due to excess heat causing blood to move too quickly and spill out of the vessels)
• Premenstrual acne and skin breakouts
• Intense mood swings and irritability before menstruation

   

Natural Ways to Release Anger and Soothe Liver Qi

Balancing your Liver Qi can help ease menstrual symptoms and bring harmony to your body. Here are some TCM-approved strategies to promote emotional and physical well-being:

✅ Daily movement – Walking, yoga, tai chi, Qi Gong, and dancing. Daily movement boosts the mood, relaxes tension in the muscles, reduces stress hormones, and ensures Qi (energy) and blood flow to the uterus. 

✅ Acupuncture – Acupuncture is excellent in relieving liver Qi stagnation and releasing stuck emotions. In addition to releasing stuck Qi, acupuncture regulates hormones and calms the nervous system. Acupuncture for your menstrual cycle is best done in the week before your period is due. 

✅ Acupressure – Pressing on Liver 3 (Tai Chong) and Yintang points.
Liver 3 is found on the feet between the first and second toes, about one inch up from the web of the toes.
Yintang is the point right between the eyebrows on the face.
Gently massage the points for 30 seconds to one minute, multiple times a day. The most crucial time for stimulating these acupressure points is in the week leading up to your menstrual cycle. Self-acupressure is super easy, feels good, and is free! Best of all, you can do it from the comfort of your own home as much as you want. 

✅ Nature therapy – Spend time outdoors! The liver is a wood element that thrives in expansive natural environments like parks and forests. Fresh air helps Qi to circulate better, natural light boosts serotonin, and nature can help to calm our nervous systems. 

✅ Liver-friendly foods

Eat light, cooling foods like dandelion greens, arugula, mustard greens, kale, cucumbers, celery, radishes, daikon, and mung beans.

Cruciferous veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, and bok choy help the liver to detoxify and help process excess estrogen from our bodies.

Drink hot water with lemon in the morning

Chamomile tea, peppermint tea, and dandelion root teas are recommended

✅ Chinese herbal formulas – Xiao Yao San (for general Liver Qi stagnation) or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San (if heat is present presenting as severe pms mood swings, feelings of heat, acne and skin breakouts). In my clinical practice, I often customize my patient’s herbal formulas making them more personalized and more effective. But having said this, the two formulas above are tried, tested, and true and serve as my go-to menstrual formulas. 

✅ Deep Intentional Breathing  – Emotional release techniques help process anger before it stagnates. Deep intentional breathing releases stuck-Qi and tension, reduces stress & cortisol, and expands the diaphragm.  

✅ Reduce stimulants – Limit caffeine and alcohol (keep coffee to one cup per day). Caffeine overstimulates the liver and can create excess heat while alcohol traps heat and stagnates the Qi further. 

✅ Prioritize sleep – Be in bed by 10:00 pm and aim for 8–9 hours of quality sleep. The liver is most active between 1 to 3 am clearing toxins, processing emotions, and moving liver Qi. Good sleep replenishes the liver blood, calms the nervous system, and balances hormones. Sleep also relaxes muscles. 

Your emotions have a profound impact on your body, and when it comes to menstrual health, anger is a powerful force. If left unchecked, it can throw off the balance of Qi and blood, leading to various cycle irregularities. But with mindful practices and TCM-based strategies, you can restore harmony to your body and experience smoother, healthier periods.

If you frequently experience PMS, painful cramps, or irregular cycles, it might be time to check in with your emotions—especially how you process anger. Small lifestyle shifts can make a big difference in regulating your cycle and overall well-being.

Would you like to learn more about how acupuncture and Chinese medicine can support your menstrual health? Feel free to reach out to me!

A really good starting point that I recommend is my online menstrual health assessment. It is a thorough questionnaire that assesses the health of your periods and what your Chinese medicine pattern is and some essential tips to improve the health of your hormones. 

If you are one of the many women out there that struggles with premenstrual acne, you can check out my online premenstrual acne assessment. 

I am available for in-person acupuncture and herbal appointments and online consultations. Also, check out my online resources including blog posts, online quizzes, and self-treatment courses.

In Support,

Dr. Maryam