Of the Zang or Yin organs in the body, the Liver is compared to the general of the army. Its paired viscus is Gall Bladder. See Relationship between Liver and Gall Bladder.

Energetic functions

• Controls the Liver-Qi, the free movement of energy, blood and fluids.
• Sea of Blood. Stores and distributes. Regulates the volume of blood according to physiological activity.
• Sense of vision.
• Secretes bile, which helps with digestion.
• Its maximum energy is from 1 to 3 in the morning.

Related physiological structures

• Controls and nourishes the tendons (including ligaments and joints).
• Manifests in the eyes.
• Nourishes the nails.
• The channel passes through the external genitals: relationship with sexuality, reproduction and menstruation.

Psycho-emotional functions

Relationship with the Hun soul, the subconscious, which gives us vision of what we want and the ability to plan to achieve it. The emotions associated with the Liver are anger, rage, frustration and resentment. The Liver facilitates balance and emotional fluidity. When Liver-Qi stagnates or rises in excess, emotions become agitated or depressed.

Main symptoms of dysfunction

• Mood. Irritability, nervous tension, susceptibility, depression, unhappiness, impatience, anxiety, mood swings.
• Vision deterioration. Myopia, floaters, dryness, photophobia.
• Menstrual disturbances. Irregular cycles, dysmenorrhoea, clots, cysts, amenorrhoea.
• Muscle spasms, numbness, tingling, cramps, tremors.
• Tendinitis, ligament problems.
• Pain or distension in hypochondrium, abdomen or thorax.
• Thin, brittle, discoloured nails.
• Globus sensation, feeling of a lump in the throat.
• Headache at the vertex of the head.
• Vertigo.
• Nightmares.

Related syndromes and pathologies

• Liver syndromes.
• Wood Element Pathology.

Combined syndromes

• Heart- and Liver-Qi deficiency.
• Liver- and Kidney-Yin deficiency.
• Liver-Fire insulting the Lungs.
• Liver overacting on Spleen.
• Liver overacting on Stomach.
• Damp-Heat in Liver and Gall Bladder.

Pathologies

• Menstrual disorders.
• Headache.
• Fibromyalgia.
• Wind stroke.
• Depression.
• Epilepsy.

Channels

• Liver Channel.
• Divergent of Liver.
• Luo of Liver.
• [Muscle channel of Liver]].

Return to Zang Organs.