Hyperactivity of the Liver-yang

This refers to symptoms caused by hyperactivity of the liver-yang due to yin deficiency of the liver and kidney. It is widely associated with hypertension.

Clinical manifestations/Indications: Distending pain in the head and eyes, dizziness, tinnitus, stiffness in neck, flushed face, congested eye, vexation, proneness of anger, hypochondriac pain, lassitude in the loins and legs, feeling heavy in the head, insomnia and dreaminess, bitterness in taste, amnesia, reddened tongue, forceful and taut pulse or thready pulse.

This syndrome is found in hypertension, neurosis, menopausal syndrome, hyperthyroidism and anemia.

Etiopathology:

1. The yin deficiency of the liver and kidney leads to hyperactivity of the liver-yang.
2. Anxiety causes excessive dispersion of the liver-qi which may cause hyperactivity of the liver-yang which in turn impair the yin of the liver and kidney, thus causes this symptom.

All these may bring about syndromes characterized by excess in the upper and deficiency in the lower part of the body, and by excess of yang and deficiency of yin.

Therapeutic Principle: Calming the liver to submerge liver-yang and stop endogenous wind, clearing away pathogenic heat, promoting blood circulation and nourishing the liver and kidney.

Recipe: Decoction of Gastrodia and Uncaria

Ingredients: Rhizoma Gastrodiae, Ramulus Uncariae Cum Uncis, Concha Haiotidis, Fructus Gargeniae, Radix Scutellariae, Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae, Cortex Eucommiae, Herba Lionuri, Ramulus Loranthi, Caulis Polygoni Multiflori, Poria cum Ligno Hospite.

The formulae can be modified to treat hypertension, functional disturbance of vegetative nerve, cerebrovascular accident, hyperthyroidism, epilepsy and vertigo that characterized by wind-syndrome caused by hyperactivity of the liver-yang.

Modern researches have proved that the formulae has the effect of tranquilizing the mind, relieving spasm, resisting epilepsy, dilating vessels and lowering high blood pressure. It is fever-allaying, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.