Liver (Chinese medicine): Difference between revisions

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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

As a zàng, the Liver is considered to be a yin organ. Its associated yang organ is the Gallbladder. Both Liver and Gallbladder are attributed to the Wood element.

The Liver

governs "unclogging and deflation" (疏泄, pinyin: shū-xiè)^[1] primarily of qì and emotions. The free flow of qì in turn will ensure the free flow of blood, digestion, and water.
- the free flow of qì and xuě (blood) is particular significant since TCM stipulates that stagnation of that flow will cause pain.
- by association via its respective element each zàng organ is embracing a certain emotion. The free flow of these five (and other) emotions is thus linked to the unrestrained circulation of the qì of the zàng organs.
‘’stores‘’ (藏, pinyin: cáng)^[2] blood
opens into the eyes
governs the tendons
reflects in the nails
governs anger (怒pinyin: nǜ)^[3]
houses the Hun (魂, "Ethereal Soul")

Its associated body fluid is tears. The Liver function is regarded to be strongest between 1-3am.
The Liver’s 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 downwards, when Liver qi "rebels" it can attack the Spleen causing nausea and poor appetite, it can rebel upwards causing tenseness in the shoulders and headaches, or it can stop flowing and become stagnant - leading to irritability and anger. When the Liver is dysfunctional there can be conditions such as headaches, premenstrual symptoms, tense muscles, loss of appetite, insomnia, anger, irritability and frustration. Liver blood stagnation may lead to amenorrhea, blood clotting, or a bearing down sensation with menstruation.

Notes

^ 中医世家 2006, chapter 4.2.1.
^ 中医世家 2006, chapter 4.2.2.
^ 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" (in Chinese). Retrieved 20 December 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

References

中医世家 (2006-07-18), "第一节五脏", 中医基础理论, retrieved 2010-12-16

[1] 中医世家 2006, chapter 4.2.1.

[2] 中医世家 2006, chapter 4.2.2.

[3] 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" (in Chinese). Retrieved 20 December 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |trans_title= ignored (|trans-title= suggested) (help)

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@@ Line 16: / Line 16: @@
 *governs anger (怒{{zh|p=nǜ}})<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wisdomsea.com/thread-413-1-1.html |title=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 }}</ref>
 *houses the ''[[Hun and po|Hun]]'' (魂, "Ethereal Soul")
+Its associated body fluid is tears.
+The Liver function is regarded to be strongest between 1-3am.<br/ >
+The Liver’s 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 downwards, when Liver qi "rebels" it can attack the Spleen causing nausea and poor appetite, it can rebel upwards causing tenseness in the shoulders and headaches, or it can stop flowing and become stagnant - leading to irritability and anger.  When the Liver is dysfunctional there can be conditions such as headaches, premenstrual symptoms, tense muscles, loss of appetite, insomnia, anger, irritability and frustration. Liver blood stagnation may lead to amenorrhea, blood clotting, or a bearing down sensation with menstruation.
-The Liver’s 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]].  The peak time for the Liver is between 1-3am. Its associated body fluid is tears.
 ==Notes==