Craving for Sour Foods

How Chinese medicine differentiates a craving for sour foods into the two patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Distinct from this site's own Preference for Sweet or Greasy Foods page. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. This craving is one diagnostic sign among many — always weigh it alongside the tongue, pulse, symptoms, and history.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used when a craving for sour foods is found — 6 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang. Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi.
LR-14	Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi and harmonizes Liver and Stomach.
P-6	Opens the chest and moves Qi and Blood. Harmonizes the Stomach.
BL-18	Resolves Damp-Heat. Nourishes Liver-Blood.
BL-20	Tonifies Spleen and Stomach. Resolves Dampness. Nourishes Blood.
SP-6	Strengthens the Spleen. Nourishes Blood and Yin.

The Two Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Liver Qi Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Distension or bloating along the ribs, irritability or short temper, frequent sighing, feeling of a lump in the throat, breast tenderness or swelling, premenstrual breast distension, pain that moves around.

Tongue: Normal or slightly dark body, red or slightly purple sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, taut like a guitar string.

Treatment principle: Smooth Liver-Qi and relieve stagnation through soothing the Liver.

LR-3 ↓ LR-14 ↓ P-6 ⊥

Note: no moxa. Direct exact-name match with this site's own Liver-Qi-stagnation slide.

2. Liver Blood Deficiency View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Dizziness or lightheadedness, blurred or diminished vision, dry eyes, pale face lacking color, brittle, dry, or ridged nails, scanty menstruation with pale blood, numbness or tingling in the limbs.

Tongue: Pale body, especially at the sides, thin and slightly dry with a thin white coating. Pulse: Fine and choppy, often with a wiry quality at the left middle position.

Treatment principle: Nourish and replenish Liver-Blood reserves to address the underlying deficiency.

BL-18 ↑ BL-20 ↑ SP-6 ⊥

Note: moxa applicable on BL-20. Direct exact-name match with this site's own Liver-Blood-deficiency slide.

Related conditions

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