Green in Chinese Medicine

In Chinese medicine, green — and blue-green, the colour the Chinese call qing — is the colour of the Wood element and the Liver. A greenish or blue-green tinge to the complexion points to Liver disharmony, cold, pain or the stagnation of Qi and Blood. Green is echoed in the fresh, cooling, Liver-soothing herbs and in the green foods traditionally eaten to support the smooth flow of Liver Qi. This page is part of the guide to colours in Chinese medicine.

On this page

What green and blue-green signify
A greenish complexion and bluish veins
Green and bluish signs in the body
The Wood element and the Liver
Green Chinese herbs
Green foods in Chinese food therapy
When bluish colour needs a doctor
Frequently asked questions

1. What green and blue-green signify

The Chinese term qing (青) spans a range English separates into green and blue — the colour of new leaves and of deep water alike. In diagnosis it points to:

Liver disharmony — green is the colour of the Wood element and the Liver, so a greenish tinge reflects the Liver.
Stagnation — of Qi and especially Blood, when circulation is obstructed.
Cold and pain — severe pain and internal cold can give the complexion a greenish or bluish cast.

2. A greenish complexion and bluish veins

A greenish or blue-green tinge to the face — often most visible around the mouth, temples or eyes — suggests Liver disharmony, and classically accompanies significant pain, cold or Liver Qi stagnation that has led to blood stasis. In infants, a greenish tinge around the mouth is traditionally linked with fright, colic or spasm. Visible blue-green veins — for example across the abdomen in babies, or prominent on the temples — are read as signs of cold or stagnation.

3. Green and bluish signs in the body

Tongue — a bluish-green or purple tongue indicates blood stasis or internal cold.
Complexion in pain — a green-blue cast appearing with severe cramping pain reflects cold and stagnation obstructing the free flow of Qi and Blood.
Lips and nails — a bluish tinge suggests cold or poor circulation; a marked blue colour (cyanosis) is a medical sign needing urgent care.

4. The Wood element and the Liver

Green is the colour of the Wood element, whose organs are the Liver and Gallbladder. Wood governs growth, planning and the smooth, free flow of Qi throughout the body — and so the Liver is central to even circulation, a regular menstrual cycle and steady emotions. Its season is spring, its climate is wind, its taste is sour, and its emotion is anger or frustration. When the Liver's flow is obstructed, Qi and Blood stagnate and the green-blue signs can appear.

5. Green Chinese herbs

Green herbs tend to be fresh, aromatic and cooling, and several act on the Liver or clear heat:

Bo He (field mint) — a cool, aromatic herb that clears wind-heat and helps soothe constrained Liver Qi.
Qing Hao (sweet wormwood) — a green herb that clears heat, including the lingering deficiency-heat of the afternoon; it is the plant source of the antimalarial artemisinin.

Many fresh, green, aromatic herbs are used to move Qi and cool the Liver. As always, herbs are prescribed in a matched formula by a qualified practitioner.

6. Green foods in Chinese food therapy

Green foods are traditionally said to benefit the Liver and support the smooth flow of Liver Qi. Everyday examples include leafy green vegetables, spring greens, sprouts and shoots, celery, broccoli, and green tea, along with a little sour flavour such as lemon or lime, which resonates with the Wood element. Fresh green foods are especially fitting in spring, the season of Wood.

7. When bluish colour needs a doctor

A blue or blue-green colour of the lips, tongue, face or fingertips (cyanosis) is a medical warning sign that the blood may be short of oxygen, and needs urgent medical attention — particularly if it comes on suddenly or with breathlessness or chest pain. Sudden severe abdominal pain with a change in complexion colour also needs prompt assessment. Chinese medicine's reading of green as a Liver, cold or stagnation sign applies to subtle constitutional tinges, not to these acute signs.

8. Frequently asked questions

What does green mean in Chinese medicine?

Green, and blue-green (the colour the Chinese call qing), is the colour of the Wood element and the Liver. A greenish or blue-green tinge to the complexion points to Liver disharmony, and classically to cold, severe pain, or the stagnation of Qi and Blood. It is echoed in fresh, cooling, Liver-soothing herbs and green foods.

What does a green or blue-green complexion mean?

A greenish or blue-green tinge to the face, often around the mouth, temples or eyes, suggests Liver disharmony and classically accompanies significant pain, cold or Liver Qi stagnation that has led to blood stasis. In infants, a greenish tinge around the mouth is traditionally linked with fright, colic or spasm, and visible blue-green veins are read as cold or stagnation.

Why is green linked to the Liver in Chinese medicine?

Green is the colour of the Wood element, whose organs are the Liver and Gallbladder. Wood governs growth and the smooth, free flow of Qi through the body, so the Liver is central to even circulation, a regular menstrual cycle and steady emotions. Its season is spring, its taste is sour and its emotion is anger or frustration.

Which Chinese herbs are green and what do they do?

Green herbs tend to be fresh, aromatic and cooling. Bo He (field mint) clears wind-heat and helps soothe constrained Liver Qi, and Qing Hao (sweet wormwood) clears heat, including lingering deficiency-heat, and is the plant source of the antimalarial artemisinin. Many fresh green aromatic herbs are used to move Qi and cool the Liver.

What do green foods do in Chinese medicine?

Green foods are traditionally said to benefit the Liver and support the smooth flow of Liver Qi. Examples include leafy greens, spring greens, sprouts, celery, broccoli and green tea, along with a little sour flavour such as lemon, which resonates with the Wood element. They are especially fitting in spring, the season of Wood.