Anxiety & Palpitations? The Liver & Heart Blood Connection

What is "Liver and Heart Blood Deficiency"?

In Chinese Medicine, "Blood" is a precious, vital substance. It is more than the fluid in your veins; it is the primary source of nourishment that moisturizes your body, anchors your mind, and ensures you feel stable and rested.

This pattern means that the Blood is deficient in two key systems simultaneously:

  • The Liver is your body's "Blood Bank." It stores Blood to nourish your eyes, muscles, and tendons, and to ensure a healthy menstrual cycle. When Liver Blood is low, things can feel dry, tight, and depleted.
  • The Heart is the "Emperor" that houses your Mind and Spirit (known as the Shen). It needs a rich supply of Blood to be properly nourished. When Heart Blood is low, your Mind has no "home" to rest in, leading to feelings of anxiety, unease, and sleep disturbances.

This is a classic "wired and tired" pattern. Your body is depleted, but your mind can't settle down. It is often caused by long-term overthinking, emotional strain, poor diet, or blood loss (such as through heavy periods).

You are likely experiencing a combination of symptoms from both systems:

  • From the Heart (Affecting the Mind/Spirit):
    • Palpitations: A key symptom. A fluttering, racing, or pounding heart, often worse with anxiety or in the evening.
    • Anxiety: A persistent feeling of unease or vague apprehension.
    • Poor Memory & Concentration: Difficulty focusing or retaining information.
    • Sleep Issues: Specifically, difficulty falling asleep because your mind is too "floaty" to settle down. Sleep may also be light and filled with dreams.
  • From the Liver (Affecting the Body):
    • Dizziness: Especially when standing up.
    • Dry or Blurry Vision: Eyes feeling tired, dry, or seeing "floaters."
    • Scanty Periods: Light, pale menstrual flow or a shortened cycle.
    • Physical Signs: A pale, dull complexion, pale lips, and brittle nails.

Your acupressure treatment was designed to deeply nourish the Blood and calm your spirit, addressing both the physical depletion and the mental restlessness.

Lifestyle Advice: Deeply Nourish and Gently Rest

Your primary strategy is to refill your "Blood Bank" and create a calm, safe anchor for your mind.

1. Your Diet is Your Most Potent Medicine:
You must consistently eat foods that build rich, nourishing Blood.

  • Focus on Blood-Building Foods:
    • Dark Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, watercress.
    • Red & Dark Foods: Beetroot, aduki beans, black beans, goji berries, dark grapes, cherries.
    • High-Quality Protein: If you eat meat, small amounts of lean red meat or bone broth are excellent. Eggs are also very nourishing.
  • Eat Warm, Cooked Meals: Soups, stews, and porridges are much easier for your body to transform into Blood than cold, raw foods. Avoid iced drinks and excessive salads.

2. Rest Your Mind as Much as Your Body:
This is crucial for calming the Heart.

  • Prioritize Sleep: Your body builds Blood when you sleep. Create a relaxing bedtime routine. Turn off screens at least an hour before bed.
  • Reduce Mental "Over-Drafting": Overthinking, worry, and constant multi-tasking drain Heart Blood. Practice mindfulness, schedule "worry time" so it doesn't leak into your whole day, or try journaling to get thoughts out of your head.

3. Move Gently to Support, Not Deplete:

  • Avoid Intense, Sweaty Exercise: This can further deplete your Blood.
  • Choose Restorative Movement: Gentle walking, Tai Chi, Qigong, or Yin Yoga are perfect. They move Qi and Blood without draining your precious resources.

4. Acupressure at Home:
This combination is a beautiful prescription for this pattern.

  • Heart 7 (Shenmen - "Spirit Gate"): The ultimate point for calming the anxious mind and spirit.
    • Location: On your inner wrist crease, in the small hollow on the pinky-finger side.
    • How to: Apply gentle but steady pressure here for 1-2 minutes whenever you feel anxious or have palpitations. It is profoundly calming.
  • Spleen 6 (Sanyinjiao): A master point for building Blood and nourishing the Liver.
    • Location: On your inner leg, four of your own finger-widths up from the tip of your inner ankle bone, just behind the shin bone.
    • How to: Press firmly for 1-2 minutes. Note: Avoid this point during pregnancy.

Building Blood is a slow, steady, and kind process. Be patient with yourself. Every nourishing meal and restful moment is an investment in your deep well-being.