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{{short description|Zàng organ}}
{{Unreferenced|date=June 2008}}
{{For| the biological description|Liver}}
Distinct from the [[Western world|Western]] medical concept of [[Liver]], the concept of the '''Liver'''(肝) in [[Traditional Chinese Medicine]] is more a way of describing a set of interrelated parts than an [[organ (anatomy)|anatomical organ]]. (See [[Zang Fu theory]].)


The '''Liver''' ({{zh|c=肝 |p=gān}}) is one of the [[zang-fu|zàng]] organs stipulated by [[traditional Chinese medicine]] (TCM). It is a functionally defined entity and not equivalent to the anatomical organ of the same name.
To differentiate between Western and [[Eastern world|Eastern]] concepts of organs the first letter is capitalized (e.g. Liver instead of liver, Spleen instead of spleen). Because [[Traditional Chinese Medicine]] (TCM) is [[holistic]], each organ cannot be explained fully unless the TCM relationship/[[homeostasis]] with the other organs is understood. TCM also looks at the functions of the organs rather than fixed areas and, therefore, describes different organs that are not actually physical, like the [[Triple Burner]] (San Jiao). This also leads to controversy about the validity of TCM, which comes a lot from the difficulty of translating and lack of knowledge about TCM concepts and [[Chinese culture]]. So, to avoid conflict and to keep an open mind, one must realize that these notions evolved in a different culture and are a different way of viewing the human body.


==In the context of the zang-fu concept==
The Liver (Gan) is a Zang organ, meaning it is a Yin organ. The other Yin, or Zang, organs are the Lungs (Fei), Heart (Xin), Spleen (Pi), and Kidneys (Shen). Sometimes the Pericardium (Xin Bao) is included. Yin organs store, secrete, make, and transform Essence, Blood, Spirit, Qi, and Fluids. These nourish the body.
As a zàng organ, the Liver is considered to be [[Yin and yang|yin]] in nature. Its associated yang fu organ is the [[Gallbladder (Chinese medicine)|Gallbladder]]. Both the Liver and Gallbladder are attributed to the [[Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)|Wood element]] and the season of spring in traditional Chinese [[Wuxing (Chinese philosophy)|Wuxing]] theory.


Regarding its stipulated functions, the Liver
The Liver Stores the Blood and allows for the smooth flow of [[Qi]]. The Liver’s blood is responsible for the repetitive cycles of human life, for example [[menstruation]]. The [[Yellow Emperor's Classic]], or Nei Jing, describes the Liver as “the general of an army”. The Liver Stores the Hun. It opens into the [[eyes]]. It secretes [[bile]], which is stored in the Gallbladder. The Liver is associated with anger and depression. The associated element is wood. It governs the [[tendons]] and [[nail (anatomy)|nails]]. The peak time for the liver is between 1-3am. The Liver also determines the capacity for pain. The fluid [[secretion]] is [[tears]].
*governs "unclogging and deflation" ({{zh|c=疏泄 |p=shū-xiè}})<ref>{{lang|zh|中医世家}} 2006, chapter 4.2.1.</ref> primarily of qì and emotions. The free flow of qì in turn will ensure the harmonious interaction of qi, blood, digestion, and [[Body fluid|Jinye.]]
**the free flow of qì and xuě (blood) is particularly significant since TCM stipulates that stagnation of that flow will cause pain and illness.
**by association via its respective element each [[Zang-fu|zàng and Fu]] organ is the origin of a certain emotion reflected in the Shen or overall spirit of the patient. The free flow of these five (and other) emotions is thus linked to the unrestrained and harmonious circulation of the qì of the zàng organs.
*"stores" ({{lang|zh|藏}}, {{zh|p=cáng}})<ref>{{lang|zh|中医世家}} 2006, chapter 4.2.2.</ref> blood
*opens into the eyes<ref>Fatrai/Uhrig (2015), p. 27</ref>
*governs the tendons
*reflects in the nails
*Associated with the emotion of anger ({{lang|zh|怒}}, {{zh|p=nǜ}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wisdomsea.com/thread-413-1-1.html |script-title=zh:中医理论:基础理论:第二节 内伤病因:一、七情:（二）七情与脏腑气血的关系 |author=阵雨 |date=15 December 2009 |accessdate=20 December 2010 |language=Chinese |trans-title=TCM theory – Basic theory – Chapter 2: Internal causes of disease – 1. The Seven Emotions – 1.2. The relations between the Seven Emotions, the zang-fu, and qi and blood |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010131856/http://www.wisdomsea.com/thread-413-1-1.html |archive-date=10 October 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*houses the ''[[Hun and po|hún]]'' ({{lang|zh|魂}}, "Ethereal Soul")
Its associated body fluid is tearing.<br/ >
The Liver function is regarded to be strongest between 1–3 am. Its blood is responsible for the repetitive cycles of human life, for example menstruation. The [[Huang Di Nei Jing]] describes the Liver as "the general of an army". It secretes bile, which is stored in the [[Gallbladder (Chinese medicine)|Gallbladder]].
A properly functioning Liver organ will ensure that the tendons are properly nourished and not too tense or gristly. The normal direction of Liver qi is outwards. When it "rebels" it can attack the Spleen, causing nausea and poor appetite. Dysfunction of the Liver typically presents as irritability, anger, anxiety, depression, agitation, poor self esteem, headaches, [[dysmenorrhea]], belches, a sour taste in the mouth, distension, pain under the costal arches, pain in the upper abdomen, tremors/numbness/stiffness of the limbs, blurry vision, or jaundice.<ref>Cultural China 2007</ref> Liver blood stagnation may lead to amenorrhea, blood clotting, or a bearing down sensation with menstruation.


==Notes==
{{Zangfu}}
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{lang|zh|中医世家}} (2006-07-18), [http://www.zysj.com.cn/lilunshuji/jichulilun/44-3-1.html#m0-0 "{{lang|zh|第一节 五脏}}"], ''{{lang|zh|中医基础理论}}'', retrieved 2010-12-16
*Cultural China (2007), [https://web.archive.org/web/20110314201959/http://kaleidoscope.cultural-china.com/en/118Kaleidoscope4651.html "Chinese Medicine : Basic Zang Fu Theory"], ''Kaleidoscope → Health'', retrieved 2010-12-21
*Agnes Fatrai, Stefan Uhrig (eds.): ''Chinese Ophthalmology – Acupuncture, Herbal Therapy, Dietary Therapy, Tuina and Qigong.'' Tipani-Verlag, Wiesbaden 2015, {{ISBN|978-3-9815471-1-5}}.

{{Traditional Chinese medicine}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Liver (Chinese Medicine)}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Liver (Chinese Medicine)}}
[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]
[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]

[[ja:肝 (五臓)]]
[[zh:肝 (臟腑)]]

Latest revision as of 19:47, 14 August 2024

For the biological description, see Liver.

The Liver (Chinese: 肝; pinyin: gān) is one of the zàng organs stipulated by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It is a functionally defined entity and not equivalent to the anatomical organ of the same name.

In the context of the zang-fu concept

[edit]

As a zàng organ, the Liver is considered to be yin in nature. Its associated yang fu organ is the Gallbladder. Both the Liver and Gallbladder are attributed to the Wood element and the season of spring in traditional Chinese Wuxing theory.

Regarding its stipulated functions, the Liver

  • governs "unclogging and deflation" (Chinese: 疏泄; pinyin: shū-xiè)[1] primarily of qì and emotions. The free flow of qì in turn will ensure the harmonious interaction of qi, blood, digestion, and Jinye.
    • the free flow of qì and xuě (blood) is particularly significant since TCM stipulates that stagnation of that flow will cause pain and illness.
    • by association via its respective element each zàng and Fu organ is the origin of a certain emotion reflected in the Shen or overall spirit of the patient. The free flow of these five (and other) emotions is thus linked to the unrestrained and harmonious circulation of the qì of the zàng organs.
  • "stores" (藏, pinyin: cáng)[2] blood
  • opens into the eyes[3]
  • governs the tendons
  • reflects in the nails
  • Associated with the emotion of anger (怒, pinyin: nǜ)[4]
  • houses the hún (魂, "Ethereal Soul")

Its associated body fluid is tearing.
The Liver function is regarded to be strongest between 1–3 am. Its blood is responsible for the repetitive cycles of human life, for example menstruation. The Huang Di Nei Jing describes the Liver as "the general of an army". It secretes bile, which is stored in the Gallbladder. A properly functioning Liver organ will ensure that the tendons are properly nourished and not too tense or gristly. The normal direction of Liver qi is outwards. When it "rebels" it can attack the Spleen, causing nausea and poor appetite. Dysfunction of the Liver typically presents as irritability, anger, anxiety, depression, agitation, poor self esteem, headaches, dysmenorrhea, belches, a sour taste in the mouth, distension, pain under the costal arches, pain in the upper abdomen, tremors/numbness/stiffness of the limbs, blurry vision, or jaundice.[5] Liver blood stagnation may lead to amenorrhea, blood clotting, or a bearing down sensation with menstruation.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ 中医世家 2006, chapter 4.2.1.
  2. ^ 中医世家 2006, chapter 4.2.2.
  3. ^ Fatrai/Uhrig (2015), p. 27
  4. ^ 阵雨 (15 December 2009). 中医理论:基础理论:第二节 内伤病因:一、七情:（二）七情与脏腑气血的关系 [TCM theory – Basic theory – Chapter 2: Internal causes of disease – 1. The Seven Emotions – 1.2. The relations between the Seven Emotions, the zang-fu, and qi and blood] (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 10 October 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2010.
  5. ^ Cultural China 2007

References

[edit]
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