TCM Liver physiology

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Anatomical organs are not equivalent to TCM Organs. As a

consequence, TCM physiology can sound very strange and impossible to

most Westerners when they first encounter it.

 

TCM Organs are more collections of functions than anatomical. The

Chinese have been keen and careful observers for centuries. They

look at what things occur together and how the parts work together.

 

Each of the different Organs and Bowels have certain functions or

roles they play in the body. One of the main functions of the Liver

is the smooth and even flow of Qi (roughtly though inadequately

translated as " enery " , pronounced " chee " ). In The Foundations of

, Giovanni Maciocia gives translations for Chinese

terms for what the Liver does in regard to Qi: To flow, to let out,

disperse, extend, loosen, relax, circulate, make smooth and free,

and stop extremes. (p. 78)

 

Why is the smooth and even flow of Qi so important? For one thing,

Qi Stagnation can result in pain. It also has a big influence on

digestion. It also has an effect on emotions.

 

Another important function of the Liver is it stores the Blood. Dr.

J. Shen has advanced the view that " just as an improper storing

medium can spoil food (for instance a dirty container encouraging

the growth of bacteria), similarly, an improper Liver function (the

storing medium for Blood) can 'spoil' Blood, giving rise to skin

diseases. " (Foundations, p. 78.) I would add poor quality Blood can

cause some problems besides skin problems.

 

There are a number of things which can trigger Liver imbalance:

Trauma (surgery as well as accidents and blows to the area),

bacteria, viruses, fungi, toxins, some prescription drugs, some

foods (especially in susceptible individuals), and strong and

improperly handled emotions like anger and frustration (especially

if they're chronic).

 

A third function of the Liver is it controls the sinews (tendons).

Actually it's adequate Liver Blood that influences how flexible a

person is, how easy the person's movements are, and how strong the

person is. If Liver-Blood is deficient, the sinews will lack

moistening and nourishment which may cause contractions and spasms

or impaired extension / flexion, numbness of limbs, muscle cramps,

tremors, tetany or lack of strength of the limbs. This is why

the " Simple Questions " in chapter 1 says: 'When Liver-Qi declines,

the sinews cannot move'. " (p. 79)

 

The Chinese are careful observers of things that occur together.

Also of pathways of Qi flow in the body. A fourth thing to keep in

mind about the Liver is it " opens into the eye " . It's surprising how

often problems with the eyes and/or vision will be due to inadequate

Liver Blood properly moistening and nourishing the eyes. For

example, " floaters " in the eye are due to Liver Blood Deficiency.

 

Five. The Liver also manifests in the nail. The condition of the

fingernails and toenails can tell a lot about the health of the

Liver.

 

I want to return for a moment to the Liver's function of storing

Blood. When the person is at rest (laying down), Blood returns to

the Liver. The Blood in effect " recharges " in the Liver. That's not

a term TCM uses, but it's the best word I can think of to describe

what happens. From an allopathic standpoint, the liver is

neutralizing certain chemicals. From a TCM standpoint, the Liver

actually is doing more than just that. One of the reasons why

adequate rest is important is that while the person is at rest,

additional demands aren't being put on the Liver.

 

The Liver stores Blood when the person is at rest; it sends Blood to

the muscles and other parts of the body when the person is active.

If Blood is Deficient, there's not enough to send or the quality of

the Blood is such that the Blood can't perform its primary function

of nourishing and moistening. Blood Deficiency is not just a lack of

quantity, it can be a lack of quality as well.

 

Another effect of Blood Deficiency is fatigue.

 

A sixth function of the Liver is it houses the ethereal soul. What

I'm about to type is going to sound real " ooga-booga " to people

unfamiliar with these concepts. So please look beyond the

terminology to the practical aspects.

 

The ethereal soul is rooted in the Liver Blood (and Yin). If Liver

Blood is adequate, the ethereal soul is firmly rooted. It doesn't

leave the body at night. Now for the practical aspects. If the

person is experiencing fear at night - especially a fear of going to

sleep - strongly suspect Liver Blood Deficiency, rule in or rule

out, and if present, treat with a Blood tonic herb (and whatever

else is needed to improve the quality of the Blood). If the person

is getting sensations of floating before falling asleep, suspect,

rule in or rule out, and treat Liver Yin Deficiency.

 

There is another aspect to the ethereal soul. It has to do with

being resolute and being able to plan and have direction in one's

life. If the person lacks resoluteness and is having trouble

planning his or her life and following through, suspect and rule in

or rule out Liver Blood Deficiency.

 

In an earlier paragraph I mentioned some of the things that can

damage the Liver. Wind also can damage the Liver. The concept of

Wind includes not only the wind but changes in barometric pressure

and changes in ion concentrations. Even science is starting to

recognize that what the Chinese call Wind can have a negative effect

on the human body. For example, in some susceptible individuals,

when barometric pressure goes down, tissues in their bodies will

swell slightly, causing pain and some other physiological changes.

Some people are sensitive to high pressure.

 

Wind can " invade " the body from the outside (the person is weather

sensitive), or Wind can originate in the Interior. One of the things

that can trigger Interior Wind is Blood Deficiency. Whenever a

person expericience spasms, tics, shaking, etc., strongly suspect

and rule in or rule out Liver Blood Deficiency. A tendency to cramps

also points to the possibility of Blood Deficiency. Regardless is

the Wind orginates in the environment and invades or originates in

the Interior, it starts of chain reaction of physiological changes.