Liver-Gallbladder: |
The Liver stands in interior-exterior
relationship with the Gallbladder.
The Liver governs free flow of the Qi and the secretion of bile, whereas the
Liver needs the Gallbladder Qi to maintain this function.
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Liver-Heart: |
The Heart
governs the Blood. The Liver stores the
Blood and regulates its volume in accordance with physiological needs. The
Liver regulates the volume of the Blood, and the Heart moves the Blood. Liver Blood Deficiency can be accompanied by
Heart Blood Deficiency. Hyperactive
Liver Yang or Liver Fire can affect the
Blood and therefore, the Heart Yin. This can lead to Heart
Fire. Liver and Heart are the organs most affected by, and susceptible
to, emotional disturbances.
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Liver-Lungs: |
The Lungs
govern the Qi; the Liver is responsible
for the harmonic flow of the Qi. If the Qi of the Liver stagnates, it can affect
the Lung Qi in its downbearing function. The Lung Qi can accumulate and stagnate
in the thorax.
The Liver requires Lung Qi in order to regulate the Blood.
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Liver-Stomach: |
If the Liver's free coursing
action is impaired, the resulting depression of Liver Qi affects the digestive
function and invades the Stomach ("the
Liver attacks the Stomach").
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Liver-Spleen: |
The Spleen produces Food
Qi, which is the basis for Blood production. The Liver stores Blood.
If the Blood production of the Spleen is deficient, it weakens the Liver Blood.
The Liver governs the harmonic flow of Qi and the healthy digestive function
of Spleen and Stomach rely on the free coursing action of the Liver. The harmonious
flow of Qi enables the Spleen to fulfill its transformation
and transportation. If the harmonic flow of the Qi
is impaired by disturbances of the Liver, those functions of the Spleen can
be impaired ("the Liver attacks the Spleen"). Dampness of the Spleen
affects the function of the Liver to govern the harmonious Qi flow.
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Liver-Kidney: |
The Kidneys
store Essence; the Liver stores
Blood. The Yin aspect of the Essence is
fundamental for the entire Yin and therefore, the entire Blood in the body.
The Essence of the Kidneys nourishes the Liver. If the Yin aspect of the Kidney
Essence is weak, the Liver Blood is affected too. Liver Blood nourishes the
Kidney Essence. Traditionally it is said that Liver and Kidneys are of the
same source. |