Jealousy is one of those emotions most people don’t like to admit to—but in clinic, you see it everywhere and everyday. It may not be spoken directly, but it shows up in comparison, frustration, irritability, or quiet insecurity.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, jealousy is not just a feeling—it is a pattern of imbalance.
The TCM View: When the Qi gets stuck
In many cases, jealousy relates to Liver Qi stagnation.
The Liver according to traditional Chinese medicine is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi and emotions. When this flow becomes constrained, emotions can turn inward and begin to “knot.” Instead of moving freely, the mind starts to compare, fixate, and tighten.
Over time, this can progress to:
Stagnation → frustration
Frustration → resentment
Resentment → jealousy
If unresolved, this may generate heat, leading to irritability, agitation, or even anger.
In fact there is a saying Chinese medicine: Every emotion to excess and out of balance creates heat; and this heat might go upwards and give you headaches and red eyes or try get out of through the skin and cause rashes and itchiness.
At the same time, the Heart (Shen) is affected. The Shen often translated as the “Mind” in TCM, which governs our sense of connection, clarity, and emotional stability. When disturbed, it can lead to insecurity, overthinking, and emotional unease.
In deeper or more chronic cases, there may also be an underlying Kidney deficiency, reflecting a lack of inner stability or rootedness.
A Modern Psychological Insight
From a psychological perspective, jealousy often comes from a perceived sense of lack:
“They have something I don’t”
“I am falling behind”
“I am not enough”
One interesting method to help overcome consuming jealousy thoughts is suggested as:
Instead of resisting or resenting others’ success, consciously wish them well. Even go as far as mentally “blessing” their success.
At first glance, this may seem overly simple—but it has a powerful effect.
Why This Works (From a TCM Perspective)
This approach aligns closely with TCM principles.
When jealousy arises, the natural tendency is to:
- contract
- hold
- internally resist
This only leads to further stagnation and generating more heat.
But when you deliberately shift to goodwill or appreciation, something changes. Something changes in the bodies response:
- the chest softens
- Qi begins to move
- the Liver relaxes
In a sense, this is like a mental form of regulating Liver Qi—similar in principle to what certain herbs aim to achieve.
A Simple Internal Strategy to help your internal energy movement
You can think of it in three steps:
1. Express
Acknowledge the feeling without suppressing it.
2. Release
Allow some movement—through breath, awareness, or even a moment of humour. Modern science has shown how much laughter can help stress.
3. Circulate
Gently redirect the mind:
Think to yourself “Good for them… may it go well.”
This is not about forcing positivity, but about preventing emotional stagnation.
The Chinese Herbal Parallel
In herbal medicine, we often combine strategies because other underlying organ patterns of disharmony can co-exist. For example:
- Move Qi to relieve constraint
- Nourish Blood and Yin to anchor the Shen
- Calm the Heart to restore emotional balance
Some Chinese herbs just for interest:
- He Huan Pi (Albizia bark) – moves Qi, relieves constraint, and is particularly useful where there is emotional holding with underlying tension
- He Huan Hua (Albizia flower) – lighter, more uplifting, gently calms the Shen and is excellent for mood constraint without heaviness
- Suan zao ren (Zizyphus seed) – nourish the Liver blood and calm the sleep as well as relieve anxiety working via the GABAergic system.
- Fu shen (Poria cocus sclerotia) – Traditionally used to calm the mind and alleviate anxiety
These Chinese herbs are examples and may be used when emotions are “stuck but not expressed”—a very common pattern in jealousy.
Professional Herbal Advice
Chinese herbal medicine should be prescribed by a registered practitioner trained in herbal safety, herb–drug interactions, and traditional diagnostic methods. Contact Acupuncture NZ for someone close to you.
At The Acupuncture Clinic, herbal prescriptions are individually tailored following a consultation.
Movement is just as important as herbs.
A Simple Qi Gong Exercise
A well-known exercise for spreading Liver Qi is often called “Drawing the Bow” (or Bow and Arrow) from the Ba Duan Jin (Eight Brocades).
Basic idea:
- Stand upright, relaxed
- One arm extends outward as if holding a bow
- The other draws back as if pulling the string
- Gaze follows the extended hand
- Then switch sides
What this movement does:
- opens the chest
- stretches the Liver and Gallbladder channels
- encourages Qi to move outward and disperse
Clinically, it’s excellent for:
- chest tightness
- frustration
- emotionally “held” states like jealousy
A Taoist Reflection
Do some qi gong to move the qi
From a broader perspective, jealousy can be seen as a moment where attention turns outward and becomes entangled in comparison.
When we return to a more settled internal state, that comparison naturally loses its grip.
Final Thoughts
Jealousy is not a flaw—it is a signal.
It tells us that something is not flowing:
- Qi is constrained
- the Shen is unsettled
- or the sense of self is not fully anchored
Whether through herbs, movement, or simple mental practices, the aim is the same:
Restore movement, restore balance, and allow the system to settle.
Sometimes, the most effective treatment begins with a small shift:
from contraction… to circulation.
At The Acupuncture Clinic, herbal prescriptions are individually tailored following a consultation.
The author, Heiko Lade, is a registered practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine in New Zealand with over 40 years of clinical experience, and herbal medicine forms an important part of the traditional system used in his clinical practice.
Educational Disclaimer
This article is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.
