What the Liver does

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In TCM the Liver (meridian and organ system):

 

1). Is responsible for the smooth flowing of Qi.

 

2). Harmonizes the emotions.

 

3). Stores the Blood.

 

4). Regulates the menstrual cycle in women.

 

5). Rules the sinews (tendons, fascia, ligaments).

 

6). Opens into the eyes.

 

Information taken from Wicke text, vol. 1, p. 111)

 

Let's examine these in more detail.

 

*Is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi. Liver imbalance is often

indicated whenever there is Qi Stagnation or Qi Flowing the wrong way.

Actually, it's not just Qi flow all over the body that is dependent on the

Liver being in balance. The Liver is also plays a major role in all

movement, including Blood, Fluids, and the body as a whole. Tics, spasms,

shaking, tremors, convulsions, etc. can be symptoms of Liver imbalance. In

addition to Liver imbalances impeding the smooth flow of Qi, Liver Qi itself

can go all whacko in it's direction of flow. The most well-known of these

disorders is Liver Yang Rising. This is a joint Deficiency-Excess pattern.

The Liver Yin (and/or Kidney Yin) is Deficient, and this causes a relative

Excess of Liver Yang which has a tendency to rise, especially without enough

Liver Yin to keep it in check. (Kidney Yang Deficiency also can trigger

Liver Yang Rising.)

 

In addition, the Liver can invade the Spleen, invade the Stomach, and Liver

Fire can Insult the Lungs. In the case of the Liver invading the Spleen

and/or Stomach, we're talking about digestive system problems which have

their Root not in the Spleen or the Stomach but in the Liver.

 

*Harmonizes the emotions. People, we're talking about the Olympics of

irritability here, especially in extreme Liver imbalance cases. I once knew

a woman with extreme Liver imbalance and a talent for expressing herself.

When it got really bad she described herself as being in the type of mood

where if she was out driving and almost hit an old woman, if the old woman

were to shoot her the bird, she'd back up over the " ****ing *****. " Extreme

irritability and Liver imbalance.

 

Frustration is an emotion associated with the Liver. Liver imbalance also

can manifest as depression. These cases are often due to prolonged

suppression of anger.

 

*Stores the Blood. When people are active, a lot of the Blood is

circulating. But when they're inactive, the Liver stores a lot of Blood. If

the Liver can't store enough Blood, this can result in heavier than normal

periods for women. Deficiency of Liver Blood and Deficiency of Heart Blood

are two disorders involving Blood Deficiency. (In TCM, the Spleen makes the

Blood, the Liver stores it, and the Heart moves it.)

 

*Regulates the menstrual cycle. Whenever a woman suffers from dysmenorrhea,

PMS, menorrhagia, irregular periods, infertility, etc., suspect Liver

imbalance. Liver imbalance is not the only thing which can cause some of

these problems, but it is the most probable usually. Liver Blood Deficiency

can result in scanty or absent periods.

 

*Rules the sinews. The state of the Liver (and/or Gall Bladder) also is

reflected in the nails. The tissues of the sinews and nails are dependent

on the Blood stored in the Liver. If this Blood is Deficient or is of poor

quality, the sinews and the nails don't get nourished. This can result in

cramping in the muscles and in nails that are dry, brittle, and cracked.

 

*Opens into the eyes. In TCM, the eyes are considered a part of the Liver

system. Vision problems and other problems with the eyes frequently have a

Root of Liver imbalance. One sign of Liver Blood Deficiency can be dry

eyes.

 

Victoria

 

 

 

 

 

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