Liver (Dan)
Relationships of the Liver
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.
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.
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.
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").
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.
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.

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