THE LIVER
Big sigh…Ahhhhh….It is spring. The season that brings the wind and the varied weather along with it. Our eyes open to the green that begins to vibrantly awaken us from the once brown and gray landscaped slumber of winter. Everything in nature begins to stir, revive, and reveal. And our liver is the focal organ.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM), spring is the season of the Liver organ and energy. Spring is the season to set up our plants for success, so they can thrive through their growing season. And it is the liver in TCM that is the focal point for how the rest of the body’s qi and blood functions. So, in spring, the liver energy is predominant and it is optimal time of the year to support it’s health, so it can move the rest of our body in a healthy direction.
The functions of the liver organ in TCM are :
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control the smooth flow of qi – First, what is qi? Qi is translated as many things (matter, energy, life-force, vitality…). Qi is a phenomenon of energy that comes in different forms so life can exist, transform, adapt, develop and continue. In Chinese medicine, we look at two aspects of qi in our health. The first is the qi that we take in to our body, i.e. water, food and air. The ‘qi’ that we take in are considered vital substances that we give our body, mind and spirit in order to maintain its life activities. And second, is the qi that describes the physiological function and action of the organ systems in our body. In this instance, we are discussing the first function of the liver qi - to control the smooth flow of qi within the body. The liver helps keep the body healthy and balanced by making sure the qi within our body circulates through without obstruction and in the proper direction. There are three areas of health in which qi not moving properly affects. One is our emotions, another is our digestion, and the last is a woman’s menstrual cycle. If the liver is not able to move the qi through the body freely, then stagnation and heat can occur. Think of a smooth flowing river. Serene, placid, peaceful. Now, think of a river that has boulders in it’s midst that divert, block or impede the flow of water. Rough, rapids, commotion. There is an incredible amount of kinetic energy that results from the water trying to find a way around the rocks. Now think of this concept within your body and how it can affect the body, emotions or mind. When the qi moves smoothly through the body, our bodies and mind are at peace. But when qi is impeded, our bodies become tense, and as a result our mind, emotions follow this tension. arrgh. This concept also works in the opposite manner, in that the qi can stagnate if we encounter a high strung stressful emotional state for lengthy periods. The types of symptoms we see in TCM when the liver is not able to perform this function are : irritability, anger, stress, depression, heartburn or a bitter taste in the mouth, diarrhea, pain or pressure around the rib cage or chest, irregular menstruation in women.
- the liver stores and regulates the blood. These first two functions of the liver, it’s ability to move qi and it’s storage and regulation of blood, need to work together because qi and blood depend on each other, in that qi helps move the blood and blood helps nourish the qi. If the flow of qi is normal then there is normal circulation of blood through the body. If there is stagnation of qi then there is stasis of blood. As the liver is moving qi and blood through the body, it is acting as a reservoir and a regulator for the blood in the body. When the body is at rest, the amount of blood needed by our body decreases and what is not needed is stored in the liver. Then, when our body is active, the liver releases blood that is necessary to nourish the tissues that are in demand during activity. This reservoir/storage and regulation of qi and blood of the liver also strongly influences the regularity and health of the menstrual cycle in woman. If liver lacks in blood or has a difficult time regulating the blood, we can see symptoms that relate to the body not being nourished by the blood such as dizziness, dryness of the eyes and skin, blurred vision, tendon issues, numbness of the limbs, spasms of the tendons and muscles, and scanty menstrual flow or amenorrhea.
the tissue that the liver organ energy nourishes:
- the tendons: The tendons, fascia, and ligaments of the body rely on the nourishment of liver blood. If the liver blood is lacking and is not able to nourish the tendons, then symptoms such as tremors of the hands or feet, numbness of the limbs, or difficulty in flexing and extending the limbs will be attributed to the state of the liver blood.
- the nails: The nails are viewed as an extension or the remains of tendon tissue. The health of the nails reflect the state of the liver blood. If the liver blood is ample in the body, the nails appear hard and smooth. If liver blood is not sufficient and not capable of nourishing the tendons, then the nails may be thin, soft, brittle, pale, or have ridging on the nail.
the sense organ the liver opens into:
- the eyes : The liver’s function of storing and regulating blood, goes up to nourish the eye and the liver acupuncture channel also goes to the eye. If the liver blood is not sufficient, there will be a dryness of the eyes, blurry vision, having floaters in the vision, eye twitches, or night blindness. If there is long term qi stagnation causes heat or if heat from our external environment affect the liver acupuncture channel, this heat can go to the eye which can cause the eyes to become red, dry and/or swollen.
the emotion the liver is associated with :
- anger – anger can injure the liver’s ability to smoothly move qi and vice-versa, if the qi of the body is not moving smoothly, then irritability, frustration or anger can occur.
what can we do to keep the liver healthy and balanced :
- breathe, relax and make mindful attempts in keeping the emotions in balance.
- eat ‘clean’ foods. Eating is for nurturing and nourishing our body. Foods that are high in nutrients, low in sugar and unhealthy fats. Drink healthy amounts of water and if you drink alcohol, drink low amounts. Another aspect of eating is how we eat. Eat in a relaxed environment and when in a relaxed state. Eating is for nurturing and nourishing our body.
- see a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist. The basis of Chinese medicine is to keep the body in an optimal balanced state of health.
