Relationship of the liver and blood in Chinese Medicine

By Marianne Kornaat.

In Chinese medicine the liver is responsible for the circulation and the smooth movement of the body’s internal qi.

People with a healthy liver are calm, make decisions easily and are stress-free.  The liver stores emotional issues we have not dealt with, so it can be the home of anger and frustration.  It is also the home of mood.  When the liver is not functioning well, or the qi is trapped or forced up, we can experience physical and emotional consequences.  Someone with a less than healthy liver may be operating on an emotional roller coaster, feeling resentment, aggression, edginess and impulsive behaviour.  In the longer term these emotions can lead to depression.

The liver stores great reserves of yin blood.  When the liver is healthy, the liver is peaceful, but also alert.  The liver is often described as being prepared to storm the fortifications in pursuit of bandits.  It is in charge of strategy without hesitation, for both protection and attack.

The liver has the ability to react quickly to changes in the diverse environments of the internal landscape.  Despite coming from a place of deep stillness, the liver is charged with mobilising the body’s defences; the liver moves deep into the body making strategies and clearing pathways of qi.

The role of the liver is to maintain the flow of qi, especially among the internal organs and also has the task of storing the blood and determining where the blood should go.  After circulating to the deepest level (jue yin) to settle and clarify, blood reverts outward to where it is needed.  Consequently, metabolic functions which involve the regulation of blood flow to particular organs, or to the sinews and muscles, involve liver function in Chinese medicine.  Specifically there are three aspects to the relationship of liver to blood:

  1. The storage of blood

  2. The assignment of blood to particular organs

  3. The impetus for movement of blood

If liver qi (jue yin) transformation is compromised, problems could arise with any of these three aspects.

The first problem with the storage of blood could be a problem with not being able to hold back the blood from flowing out of the vessels; this could include certain types of menorrhagia.  Storage of blood could also involve the maintenance of blood quality; this could be described as “cleaning” the blood while it is stored.  If problems arise here insomnia, irritability or even dermatological issues could arise.

The second type of liver blood problem involves the assignment of blood to areas of the body.  Symptoms include muscle twitching or spasms due to an inadequate blood supply in a particular area.

The third type of liver blood problem involves issues with the function of providing impetus for blood movement.  This function is closely related to that of dredging the pathways of qi.  If the smooth flow of qi is compromised, there will be concurrent problems with blood flow.  A typical symptom pattern might involve congealing and astringing of blood with such symptoms as metrorrhagia. Depression of liver qi is one of the main causes of many women’s disorders including menstrual irregularities, swollen breasts etc. The liver is the most critical organ regarding a women’s menstrual cycle and sexuality.

Thus while the beating of the heart moves the blood, there is also an important role played by the liver circulation.  Namely, by facilitating the smooth movement of qi, one also helps the circulation of blood.

Treatment goals will differ slightly in each of these cases.  For problems with storage and cleaning, the liver yin might be nourished. For problems with the assignment of blood, qi dynamic should be regulated and for problems with the movement of blood, dredging and draining is required.

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