Liver (Chinese medicine)

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.

Regarding its stipulated functions, 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^[3]
• governs the tendons
• reflects in the nails
• governs anger (怒, pinyin: nǜ)^[4]
• houses the hún (魂, "Ethereal Soul")

Its associated body fluid is tears.
The Liver function is regarded to be strongest between 1-3am. 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 downward. When it "rebels" it can attack the Spleen, causing nausea and poor appetite. Dysfunction of the Liver typically presents as irritability, anger, headaches, dysmenorrhea, belches, bitter 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

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). Retrieved 20 December 2010.
5. Cultural China 2007

References

• 中医世家 (2006-07-18), "第一节 五脏", 中医基础理论, retrieved 2010-12-16
• Cultural China (2007), "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.