Traditional Chinese Medicine: The Liver functional assembly
According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, there is a profound relationship between the body's internal organs and bodily functions. Thus, the theory of the internal organs points to the representation of functional relationships and the total integration of body functions, emotions, mental activity, tissues, organs and environmental influences.
Taking liver as an example, we see thatthe Traditional Chinese Medicine refers to each organ as a complex system that accompanies your anatomical entity and its corresponding emotion, tissue, sensory organ, emotion, color, climate and others. The body is not something merely because is anatomic and material, but a systematic description of physiological functions, pathological changes and interrelations of the whole body.
Liver, nature and human body
According to the ERM system of correspondences, the liver is associated with spring, green, wind, eyes, tendons, anger…
The station that corresponds to the liver is the spring, in practice it is very common to see Liver imbalances aggravated in the spring. This is probably explained by the fact that the energy rises and is very active: in spring, the suddenly increased power is deployed and can aggravate an imbalance in the liver and cause an excessive rise of Qi (energy) of liver.
Features:
- The color of the face of a person with liver imbalance is often green.
- The wind obviously affects the people who have a liver imbalance.
- The liver nourishes the eyes and tendons.
- If the liver becomes stagnant or rebels can often provoke anger.
But all these do not rely solely on the liver, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the human body is a set. For example, the eyes have to do with the liver, but that doesn’t mean it is the only body that is affected, therefore, not all eye problems are related to it.
According to TCM, the liver stores the blood and ensures smooth movement of Qi throughout the body. Among other functions, controls the tendons, manifests in the nails, it opens the eyes and houses the soul.
The function of storing blood appears, in part, as provided by Western Medicine. The Liver stores the Blood and regulates the amount of it flowing to the degree of physical activity. If activity directs blood flow to the periphery, muscles, or where it is needed and control the backflow of blood in case of rest (centralization). If this function is impaired, you may receive failure or stagnation of blood flow:
Blood Deficiency:
- Dry eyes and loss of vision (the tendons of the lens does not have the strength to accommodate)
- Malnourished tendons, cramps, lack of muscle strength, tingling, paresthesias
- Asthenia
Blood Stagnation:
- Always pain (characteristic of any stagnation)
- Dysmenorrhea
- Painful menstruation with blood clots
The guarantee of uniform motion of Qi has three aspects:
- Regulating the movement of Qi
- Stability of emotional state
- Assistance to the digestive function through its role
Regulating the movement of Qi: Liver Qi ensures a uniform flow throughout the body to maintain lanes free. This feature allows all organs function properly since its Qi (and Blood) circulate in the right direction.
Energy: imbalance and blockage
A liver imbalance may alter this function resulting in a stagnation or blockage of Qi, whose manifestations vary depending on the area or organ (s) concerned- emotional, digestive or circulatory disturbances, disruption of menstruation to name the most important.
Symptoms of blockage include:
- Emotional instability
- Chest pain and strain in hypochondria, in breast, cordis (lower abdomen)
- Hysterical throat (hysterical bolus)
- Constipation
- Painful menstruation with blood clots
When the lock is worse and is often triggered by anger or rage, the movement of Liver Qi can perform a drag upsurge of Qi and Blood to the Head:
- Red face, pain (headache) swollen and irritated eyes, irritability
- High bleeding (nosebleeds, hemoptysis, stroke)
- Syncope
Another possibility is that the Qi is directed mainly to spleen / stomach producing symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction.
Other reactions
The emotional state stabilizes Liver: An irregular movement of Qi or altered emotional state may result in some inadequate response to environmental stimuli, behavior and dissociation balance between the individual and the environment. In particular it affects the ability to plan and make decisions. It is manifested by emotional factors, irritability and depression.
The liver has hepatobiliary function: TCM considers the bile as a surplus of the Liver. The liver sends bile to the gallbladder, which stores and transfers to help digestion (particularly of fats). In normal operation, this function of the liver helps digestive function, and digestion is normal.
Failure to produce or secrete enough bile by the liver disorder shows symptoms such as jaundice, belching and anorexia.
The Liver controls the tendons and nails: changes the elasticity. The change has to do with the aspect of nutrition from the blood of liver. The lack of nutrition causes dysfunction manifested in ramps, cramping, tingling, repetitive tendinitis.
The liver function of storing blood is manifested in nails: In normal case they are pink, shiny and resilient. Liver abnormalities occur in brittle nails, soft, distorted, dull and stretch marks.
Source: TCM College