When energy freezes

In the subtle vision of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), life is movement. Qi, Blood, and bodily fluids must flow freely, like breath through branches, like a stream between stones. This vital flow supports health, mental clarity, and peace of mind. But sometimes, this current slows down. It whirls without moving forward, becomes cloudy, thickens… and eventually stagnates.

This phenomenon is called stagnation. It is not a frozen state, but a progressive, often insidious, imbalance that can seed most modern chronic disorders. When energy ceases to dance, life becomes heavier, more tense… sometimes painful. This stagnation is the root of many pathologies.

Repressed emotions

Stagnation can affect different levels. The most common is Qi stagnation, especially at the Liver level, the master of free circulation in the body. This imbalance is directly related to contained, unexpressed emotions, stress, frustration, and even suppressed anger. Modern humans are saturated with it. The signs are often discreet but revealing: tension in the flanks, frequent sighs, fluctuating mood, chest tightness, menstrual disorders, and even depression.

When stagnation persists, it deepens. Blood, in turn, may cease to circulate harmoniously. This is called Blood stasis. This type of stagnation is denser, more rooted. It manifests as fixed, localized, often nocturnal, and sometimes violent pain. It is the cause of many gynecological disorders – endometriosis, fibroids, painful periods – but also of masses, nodules, or abnormal scarring.

At another level, stagnation can concern organic fluids and cause an accumulation of moisture or mucus. This creates a state of physical and mental heaviness: slow digestion, sticky fatigue, pasty tongue, heavy limbs, mucus, mental confusion. It is a gentle, slow, invisible – but tenacious – stagnation.

When inflammation sets in

Sometimes, the nature of this stagnation evolves further. Excessively stagnant Qi generates heat born from friction. This phenomenon is feared in TCM: stagnation then transforms into heat. This internal fire can manifest as inflammations, irritability, redness, a sensation of localized heat, and even hemorrhages or skin disorders. This is a turning point in the imbalance: at this stage, the blockage is not only seeking to be released – it attacks.

This stagnation fire can take root in the tissues and evolve into complex pathological forms. This is called “phlegm-heat” (Tan Re), a form of perverse accumulation that infiltrates deep organs, forming hard, hot, painful masses. In the perspective of TCM, certain degenerative processes such as cysts, nodules, or even tumors can take root not through external aggression, but through unresolved internal accumulation.

This imbalance affects all ages and social strata. Women are often more sensitive to it due to the cyclical nature of their blood and their deep connection to the Liver and Uterus. But men, children, the elderly, sedentary individuals, and hyperactive individuals are also exposed to it.

Signs of Stagnation

Because stagnation does not arise directly from lack of physical movement: it essentially emerges from emotional imbalances.

• The Liver governs anger and emotional flexibility. Its stagnation prevents adaptation and psychic fluidity.
• The Heart governs the mind (Shen); persistent stagnation disrupts the Shen.
• The Spleen, weakened by excessive rumination or worry, can produce Phlegm that blocks the mind.
• The Kidneys, in case of deficiency, can deprive the Heart and Liver of their Yin or Yang base.

It is possible to feel this stagnation before it becomes pathology. A heavy digestion, a slightly purplish tongue, diffuse pains, disturbed sleep, irregular menstrual cycle are signs of stagnation. Similarly, a constant need to sigh, a feeling of blockage in the throat or the solar plexus.

A tailored diet

In TCM, stagnation will be treated through herbal medicine, acupuncture, and of course, diet. What we eat is not only matter but also information. An appropriate diet can prevent the appearance of stagnations, or dissipate those that settle in.

When Liver Qi is confined, a spring diet is recommended, light and rising. It promotes free circulation. Green vegetables, sprouts, aromatic herbs like mint, white radish, celery, citrus fruits, light green tea are powerful allies. Conversely, excess fats, red meat, refined sugar or alcohol worsen the internal pressure.

When the Blood freezes, we turn to a blood-vitalizing diet. Red, nourishing and fluidifying foods are most suitable: beetroot, black rice, quail eggs, goji berries, carrots, a hint of natural red wine. Anything cold, industrial, or too salty should be avoided.

Personalized treatment

To counter moisture stagnation, often related to a weakened Spleen, a warm and drying diet is preferred. Red beans, lotus seeds, pearl barley, dried ginger, white pepper, steamed root vegetables. Dairy products, bananas, raw vegetables, and sweet juices are the main saboteurs of this dynamic.

And when stagnation has already turned into heat, it is important to soothe while draining: lotus, chrysanthemum, white peony root, cooked cucumber, celery, bitter melon, clear soups made from light legumes can then accompany a more comprehensive strategy of gentle detoxification. We do not combat fire with ice, but with fresh and orderly moisture.

But the best results will be obtained by combining various TCM tools, with a personalized diagnosis and treatment. It will often be valuable to add emotional support and physical exercise or even qi gong.