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The Liver in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Alternative Medicine and Natural Health in NYC

The Liver is considered a yin organ in Traditional Chinese Medicine and its yang counterpart is the Gallbladder. There is considerably less overlap between the conception of the Liver in Western medicine and in TCM than there is for many other Organs. Western conditions related to the liver such as jaundice or hepatitis, though often involving the Liver in TCM, are often better described as Spleen patterns of dysfunction.

The Liver is charged in TCM with maintaining a smooth and even flow of Qi (vital energy). Distension and stuffiness in the abdomen or chest, or contractions, spasms and tremors in the musculoskeletal system, these are indications that Qi is not flowing freely and therefore signs of a Liver imbalance. Huntington’s chorea or Parkinson’s disease are primarily Liver dysfunctions. In extreme cases this erratic movement of Qi (internal Wind) can rise causing strokes, meningitis, convulsions or coma.

The Liver also functions to store Blood. That Blood can be deficient, related to anemia or menstrual disorders, or it can be agitated by Heat, leading to nosebleeds, coughing up blood or other forms of blood loss.

The Liver is also closely related to the emotions, particularly anger, irritability or suppressed feelings. Excessive irritability is usually an indication of a Liver imbalance. The Liver is related to the eyes and diseases of the eye are treated with herbs and acupuncture points that affect the Liver and Gallbladder.

Clinically, the most common Liver imbalance I see as an acupuncturist is Liver Qi Stagnation. This pattern is often associated with PMS or menstrual difficulties and is characterized by moodiness and irritability, abdominal distension and breast tenderness. Another common pattern is Liver Invading the Spleen, which often describes Irritable Bowel Syndrome and is characterized by flatulence, diarrhea and abdominal distension.

The acupuncture channel associated with the Liver begins on the outside of the great toe, travels up the inside of the leg and the abdomen, and terminates at the bottom of the ribcage.