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If you are a female IBS person, you have probably heard all the usual explanations—stress, diet, hormones, gut bacteria. But what if we looked at it through the lens of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
In this post we will talk about Qi (your body’s vital energy) and why it is the factor, the one you must pay attention to self-manage and self-heal your IBS.
The Connection between Qi and IBS
What is Qi (the Qi factor)? In a way, it is the vital energy flowing within our bodies. How vital is it? There are three functions that makes it vital: nourishing and maintaining organs and tissues, and facilitating metabolic processes in our bodies.
Qi explained: from exercise glow to gut health
If you think the idea of Qi is too abstract, then feel it. What do you feel after jogging or exercising? That feeling is Qi running around your bodies, making you healthier.
Most important of all, Qi is the reason why we get healthy (or sick or IBS): we succumb to infections, hormonal imbalances, immune disorders, or cellular mutations because of the Qi factor (knowledge by Dr Liu, a renowned traditional Chinese medicine practitioner and Qi expert).
But before we move on, a better picture on Spleen Qi and Liver Qi is needed.
Spleen Qi and Liver Qi
In the world of TCM, Qi comes with different types having different functions, among which Spleen Qi and Liver Qi are most related to our IBS.
When both types of Qi flow smoothly, digestion works smoothly. But when they are blocked or weak? That is when bloating, cramps, diarrhea, or constipation, classic IBS symptoms, show up.
Beyond anatomy: the TCM view of Spleen and Liver
A word of caution: The Spleen and Liver in TCM are not what people mean in Western medicine.
In other words, they are not names for two organs in our bodies but two energy systems with different functions. While the Spleen means roughly the digestive system, the Liver is totally different from liver in the Western world. The Liver, in TCM, assists in digestion, promotes blood circulation, and facilitates metabolism (knowledge by Hai, 2016).
IBS through the lens of TCM and Qi
Therefore, what is IBS in terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine? In TCM, IBS basically means there is something off with the flow of Qi in your digestion, blood circulation, and metabolism (i.e. problems with Spleen Qi and Liver Qi).
Qi and women’s IBS
For women, problems with Spleen Qi and Liver Qi are especially common, and here is why:
1. hormonal changes create Qi rollercoasters
Women’s Qi is closely linked to blood and hormonal cycles, so changes around PMS, the menstrual cycle, and perimenopause can all:
- Disrupt your Liver Qi (leading to mood swings and gut spasms)
- Deplete your Spleen Qi (manifesting as digestive weakness and sugar cravings)
2. stress disrupts Qi (a traffic jam in your gut)
Modern life is full of stress (work deadlines, social media overload, family responsibilities) and all of it can stagnate Liver Qi. In TCM terms, this means your stress response starts interfering with digestion. When Liver Qi overpowers Spleen Qi, you might experience:
- Bloating (blocked Qi means trapped gas)
- Alternating diarrhea and constipation (Qi cannot decide whether to speed things up or slow them down)
- Cramps and discomfort (stagnant Qi often leads to pain)
Liver Qi overpowering Spleen Qi
Well, what (on earth) is Liver Qi overpowering Spleen Qi? In TCM, different types of Qi interact with others. Sometimes, Liver Oi may go wrong and clash with Spleen Qi, in a way that the energetic activity of the Liver is excessive, and this disrupts the proper functioning of the Spleen. In practical terms, the strong influence of Liver Qi “attacks” or “weakens” the digestive function of the Spleen.
3. sitting too much slows down Qi
(Ask yourself a question now: When reading this post, are you sitting down?) Desk jobs, long commutes, binge-watching shows: sitting for long periods congests Qi. In the TCM world, movement keeps energy flowing. Without enough activity? Digestion slows down, bloating gets worse, and discomfort lingers.
4. cold and raw foods weaken your Spleen Qi
Smoothies, salads, iced coffees—while these might seem healthy, cold and raw foods can damage Spleen Qi. Your digestive system is like a warm stove: heat is needed to break down food properly. If you overload it with cold foods, it struggles, leading to:
- Loose stools
- Fatigue after eating
- Bloating and sluggish digestion
Final words: the Qi factor and IBS
IBS is not just about what you eat or how stressed you are. It is about the Qi factor: how your Qi is flowing (or not flowing). If you are a woman struggling with IBS, consider looking beyond conventional advice and exploring whether your Qi is stuck or weak.
(Want to know how to facilitate the Qi factor, check out the post on self-healing mode.)
Sources of knowledge
Professor Hong Hai, PhD London School of Economics, author of Principles of Chinese Medicine: A Modern Interpretation (Imperial College Press 2016).
Dr Yanlin Liu, senior Chinese medicine practitioner, author of Healing Qi Can Cure All Diseases (2021). (Text in Chinese)
