Liver & Gallbladder Disharmonies - Chinese Five Elements Theory Part 2

Liver & Gallbladder Disharmonies

Spring flowers popping up ~ Hillsdale, MI

Liver & Gallbladder Disharmonies will be the focus of Part 2 in this series about  Chinese Five Elements Theory, a branch of Chinese medicine.  As you may recall from the previous article, the Liver & Gall-bladder are associated with the Wood element, the Spring season, Wind, the color Green, the Eyes, and the Sour flavor.

In Part 3, I share the best foods and preparation methods, herbs, and tips for a healthy functioning Liver & Gallbladder.

According to Chinese medicine and Five Elements Theory, the liver:  

Stores blood, maintains the free flow of qi throughout the body (called shu-xie, and pronounced shoo shway), controls the tendons, manifests in the nails, and opens into the eyes.  The Gallbladder stores bile and aids with digestion.  (Taken from Clinical Reference Guide for Acupuncture, by Quinn Akira Takei.)

Ted J. Kaptchuck, O.M.D., explains the function of the Liver in The Web That Has No Weaver this way:

“The Liver or Liver Qi is responsible for the smooth movement of bodily substances and for the regularity of body activities. It moves the Qi and Blood in all directions, sending them to every part of the body. The Nei Jing (or in English, Internal Medicine Classic) metaphorically calls the Liver “the general of an army” because it maintains evenness and harmony of movement throughout the body.”

Because the shu-xie function of the Liver is to maintain a flowing and spreading movement of both Qi and Blood, its proper functioning is essential for the proper functioning of all organ systems, including  blood circulation.  

In Statements of Fact in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Bob Flaws notes that, "In clinical practice, it is rare to see a chronic, enduring condition in which there is not an element of Liver Depression [also referred to as Liver Qi Stagnation.]"  This is true regardless of the root cause of the dis-ease.  

He further states:

"Wood depression not spreading leads to the causation [and] engenderment of hundreds of diseases." 

In Chinese medicine, the Liver is not only the 'general' as stated above, but also houses our ethereal soul, called the Hun, hence why our emotions have such a strong impact on our wellbeing.  

So what causes Liver Qi Stagnation (or as Flaws states, Liver Depression)?  Keep reading to find out!

Black-Crowned Nigh Heron, Scottsdale, AZ

Frustration!  The Emotion Associated With Wood Element 

Frustration is the primary emotion that corresponds with the Wood element, and its related emotions of anger, bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness.

Frustration arises when things are not happening in a timely manner, according to our expectations.

When we get frustrated ~ or stressed ~ we tend to breathe more shallowly, and scrunch up our shoulders, causing tension in the shoulders and neck.  We typically don't even realize we are doing it!  We even refer to someone who is 'difficult' or frustrating to deal with a 'pain in the neck!'

As Don likes to recount to many of our clients, in Chinese medicine we say, "If you are an adult, you likely have some degree of Liver Qi Stagnation." 

Case in point:  I began experiencing a bit of Liver Qi Stagnation as I was writing this post!  It was taking way longer than anticipated.  I was copying over some text from a similar article previously published elsewhere, which had different formatting.  In fact, I had to retype several paragraphs more than once which was getting...you guessed it...FRUSTRATING!   So, I joined Don for our training session which had also gotten delayed.  

Afterwards, it was too late to get back to writing.  The next day was spent doing some long overdue   spring cleaning, and a little extra food prep to prepare for an overnight guest.  We had some celebrating to do!  My friend who was visiting, my mom and myself are all Aries girls.  And we were smack in the middle of all of our birthdays.  Plus, we haven't all been together in almost three years.

Nothing like having fun to loosen up that Liver Qi Stagnation / frustration energy!

So here you have two great strategies for managing stress, and minimizing the likelihood for developing Liver & Gallbladder disharmony:  Exercise, and take a break.  Go out and have some fun!  The general of your 'army' (that's your liver) commands you!

Liver & Gallbladder Disharmonies 

There are several syndromes associated with Liver & Gallbladder disharmonies, according to Chinese medicine, and Chinese Five Elements Theory.  In this article I will highlight a few that are more common.

If the Liver Qi stagnates, and flows downwards, counter to its natural flow up and out, it can 'invade'/ over act on the digestive system ~ Earth element ~ causing various digestive disorders, including abdominal pain, belching, diarrhea, or irregular bowel movements with loose stools alternating with constipation. 

The Liver also controls the secretion of bile, produced in the Gallbladder.  Bile is needed for digestion of foods, especially fats.  If the bile does not secrete properly, there can be a bitter taste in the mouth, loss of appetite, jaundice, and possibly grey stools, and vomiting yellow fluid, such as seen in Hepatitis A, and certain gall bladder disorders, such as a gall bladder attack, when gall stones block the bile duct or tube.

A stagnation of Liver Qi can lead to a syndrome called Liver Blood Stagnation, marked by pain or distention along the sides of the body or along the ribs, lower abdomen, or genitals; or painful and swollen breasts.  

In Chinese medicine, the Qi moves the blood, so a blockage in the flow of energy, or Qi will lead to sluggish, stagnant blood flow.  The areas of pain occur along the Liver & Gallbladder channels.

Liver & Gallbladder disharmonies can be further classified as excess or deficiency.   Some symptoms, such as headaches, dizziness, or insomnia can be a result of either excess or deficiency syndromes.  In these cases, a Chinese medicine practitioner, or someone solely using Chinese Five Elements Theory will look at accompanying symptoms, including the color and shape of the tongue body, whether or not there is a tongue coat and its color, the pulse, any taste cravings or aversions, emotions, elimination issues, etc.  

Excess Liver & Gallbladder disharmonies include the aforementioned conditions associated with Liver Qi Stagnation, and an excess of Liver Yang energy which can rise and stir up internal wind.

Liver Deficiency disharmonies include a Liver Yin and/or Liver Blood Deficiency.

Dizziness, Blurred Vision & Insomnia ~ Deficiency & Excess

Let's look at a few common symptoms which can have either a deficiency or excess pattern of disharmony.  Each would be treated differently.  

Dizziness, blurred vision, and insomnia can all be a result of Liver Yin and/or Liver Blood deficiency, or a syndrome called Liver Yang Rising.  

Red Bellied Woodpecker, Wildwood Park, Toledo, OH

Liver Yin &/or Blood Deficiency

After several nights of poor sleep, or 'burning the candle at both ends', you may notice having more blurred vision.  You may even get up too fast and feel a little dizzy.  Sometimes people notice this after drinking too much caffeine.  

The accompanying symptoms of a Liver Yin &/or Liver Blood Deficiency may include pale signs, such as pale lips and tongue color, pale pink under eyelids, a sallow complexion with dry skin, and pale pink to white nail beds which may be more ridged, or brittle.   A woman of child bearing years may experience scanty or irregular menstruation.  Generally speaking, excess cold leads to a more pale coloring.

Yin in the body refers to the body's lubricating fluids, and our essence or hormones to a degree.  They keep us feeling soft, moist and juicy ~ like a newborn baby.  As we age, our yin essence naturally drys up, making us feel more dry.   Most menopausal, and post menopausal women in the West have experienced this in the form of night sweats, spontaneous sweating, insomnia, and increased irritability.  

Pretty much everyone over 50 has some degree of Yin Deficiency, which can be corrected through Yin nourishing foods, herbs, and appropriate exercise and lifestyle strategies.

Liver Yang Excess Disharmonies

By contrast, a person that is experiencing dizziness, blurred vision, and/or insomnia and is 'hot tempered' ~ quick to anger ~  may be experiencing Liver Yang Rising.  

Accompanying symptoms of Liver Yang Rising may include red, dry or irritated eyes, dry mouth, and/or a bitter or metallic taste on the tongue.  The tongue may appear more red, especially around the edges.

There may also be difficulty falling asleep, or staying asleep  between the hours of 11:00 PM and 1:00 AM when the gallbladder is most active, or between 1:00 and 3:00 AM when the liver is most active, which is a common Wood element imbalance.

Taking the pulse, and looking at the  tongue body color and tongue coat will confirm whether a deficiency or an excess Liver & Gallbladder disharmony.  

Generally speaking, excess heat tends to produce stronger smelling and darker colored urine, or other body odors, and more red tongue body, and/or a yellowish tongue coat, or yellowish sputum if there is a Wind-Heat invasion.  

Liver Yang Rising Stirs Up Liver Wind - Tremors, Shakiness, Convulsions, Migraines+

An excess of  Liver Yang Rising is the disharmony associated with high blood pressure (HBP) and hypertension.  Someone who is flush with anger will have a red face, and possibly a pounding headache!  

In the previous post, I discussed external Wind conditions.   An excess of Liver Yang Rising can stir up internally generated Liver Wind.  Syndromes associated with Liver Wind include tremors, shakiness, convulsions, twitches, itchy skin, or pain that 'moves about' rather than being fixed in one place.

As you can see, there are many disorders associated with Liver & Gallbladder disharmonies.  Migraines, menstrual and endocrine system disorders, digestive issues, HBP, hypertension, neck and shoulder pain, and many other conditions can be effectively treated using a combination of Chinese medicine therapies, including food therapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, Qi Gong and Tai Chi, along with adjunct therapies, such as meditation, exercise, getting outdoors in nature, massage, Reiki, hypnotherapy and Holistic C.O.R.E. Counseling (article to come), and more.

Like a newly sprouted seed that contains the genetic material to mature into a full grown plant or tree, we, too, are hard wired to express the fullness of our divine potential.  The fragile sprout must push through the dark, compacted Earth to 'see the light.'   It's not so different for our human journey.  We must also break free from the shackles of the mind which can obstruct our natural flow of Qi when filled with unrealistic expectations, limiting beliefs, and self-doubts.

Rather than try to control the uncontrollable circumstances in life, the Liver ~ our general in charge ~ teaches us to go with the flow, like a 'free & easy wanderer.'  (More about this in the next post.)

Great Blue Heron, photo copyright of author

The more we go with the flow, and trust our inner knowing, the more likely we will be to express our full, divine potential and realize our dreams.  But, we must learn to listen to, and appropriately voice and/or act upon, our inner guidance!  Some of us may need to experience the results of going against our gut feelings, to finally learn to trust ourselves ~ and 'return home to our heart!' Ahem.  Been there!

New shoots grow when adequately nourished by the sun and rain.  Plants produce chlorophyll ~ the equivalent of blood through the distillation of the sun's rays.  A plant can absorb light and also take in nutrients from the earth via the root system.  It has been observed that trees and plants can also help feed and communicate with others in their same family.  

We in turn consume that light, ideally directly, by consuming the plant, or ~ indirectly (and less efficiently) through consuming animals which consumed the plants.  

Cherry Tree photo courtesy of Pexels.com

We likewise can take in nutrients and healing energy directly from the Earth (called Earthing) when we stand barefoot on the soil or sand.   Great therapy for soothing our sometimes weary, frustrated souls!

The Earth provides us with all our sustenance and material needs.  Our family, extended family, friends, and peers also provide support, and a sense of connectedness which we share with all life.  Taking time to be more present, and appreciative of the abundance of life, love, companionship, and beauty in the natural world is good medicine for everyone, whether there is a Liver & Gallbladder disharmony, or not!

When we live in harmony with the natural order, we will intuitively know what to do in any given moment.  We can surrender our mind's expectations, and go with the flow.  Sometimes that flow is active, sometimes it is more passive.  Finding the right level of stimulation ~ activity versus rest, productivity versus creativity, tuning in versus taking in,  and so on, is a journey that leads to a happy life.

Our diet, lifestyle and mental/emotional states can either engender or restrain our ability to flourish in life. The Wood element, and associated Liver & Gallbladder symbolizes our ability to envision our most illuminated path, and do what is necessary to realize our vision. 

Considering the range of Liver & Gallbladder disharmonies ~ whether as diagnosed from a Western or Chinese medicine perspective ~ it's important to keep these two hard working organs functioning as close to their peak potential as possible.  I will discuss foods and herbs that support both in the next article.

Start rom the beginning with this post introducing Chinese Five Elements Theory.

My journey of Returning Home to My Heart ~ & the consequences of going against myself!

How the I-Ching can help us better navigate our lives with Lake Over Lake, Reflection & Joy

A fun post, with three classic songs ~ one celebrates a life, one mourns the loss of a way of life, and the third highlights the innocence of life.  Plus, a fun bonus song to shake off your Liver Qi Stagnation!