Class 5 : Spleen and Liver Flashcards
The Spleen is the Source of ___________
The Spleen is the “Source of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids” (Acquired Qi)
The Liver is paired up with the ________
Biao-Li or exterior-interior relationship
The Gallbladder
What are the main functions of the Spleen?
Main functions of the Spleen:
○ to govern the transportation and transformation
○ to control the ascending of qi, or raise the “pure/lucid”
○ to hold the blood
What “transportation and transformation” does the Spleen do?
The Spleen
○ Digests and absorbs nutrients of food and water (food-essence)
○ Transports them (Food-Qi / Gu Qi) to the lungs
○ For this reason the Spleen is known as “The source of Qi, Blood and Body Fluids”, or “acquired base of life” or “root of Post-natal Qi”
Where does the spleen send qi to?
○ Sends the “clear/lucid” qi (food essence) upward to the lungs & heart
○ Sends the “clear” Yang to the head
○ Is coordinated with the descending of stomach Qi
What does the Spleen have to do with muscles and limbs?
“The Spleen controls the muscles and the four limbs”
○ The spleen transports and transforms the food essence to nourish the muscles and the four limbs
○ Adequate nourishment ensures well-developed muscles and functions of limbs.
○ Weak spleen qi leads to weak muscles and four limbs, even atrophy
What is the sense organ associated with the Spleen?
mouth
Where does the Spleen manifest?
on the lips
What emotion is related to the Spleen? How might it manifest?
The spleen is related to worry / pensiveness: overthinking may injure the spleen -.> can result in poor appetite
What colour is related to the Spleen?
Yellow
What taste is related to the Spleen?
Sweet
What climate is related to the Spleen?
dampness or damp-heat
How may a spleen dysfunction manifest in the face? (colour)
Yellowish color: pale and dull yellow complexion
The spleen likes ______ but dislikes ________.
The spleen likes dryness but dislikes dampness.
Where is the Liver located?
In the right hypochondriac region within the abdomen below diaphragm
(Functionally a part of the Lower Jiao)
The liver is paired with _______ (Biao-Li or exterior-interior relationship)
Paired up with Gallbladder (Biao-Li or exterior-interior relationship)
What is the #1 function of the Liver?
Main function:
to maintain the free flow of Qi
( “Shu Xie” / to dredge and let out )
What are the functions of the Liver?
Main functions:
> to maintain the free flow of Qi
> to store the Blood
> to control the tendons/sinews
The free flow of qi function affects these 4 things
There are four aspects of the function: > The liver and emotions: > The liver and digestion: > The liver and blood circulation: > The liver and reproduction:
If Liver qi is stagnant, how does this affect the emotions?
If Liver Qi is stagnant, there would be abnormal emotions such as depression, frustration, anger and irritability, etc.
The free flow of Liver Qi is essential for a balanced emotional state
How does the Liver aid digestion?
> The free flow of Liver Qi assists the Spleen Qi to ascend and Stomach Qi to descend
> The free flow of Liver Qi is related to the secretion and excretion of bile
> Wood and Earth relationship (generating)
The free flow of Liver Qi assists in blood circulation. True or False?
True
What does the Liver have to do with reproduction?
The liver and reproduction:
> The free flow of Liver Qi helps normal menstruation and egg release / ejaculation
> Infertility is sometimes treated from the liver although Kidney plays a main role for its deficiency patterns.
What does the Liver store?
Blood
The Liver regulates Blood volume in relation to rest and activity (physical and mental) and weather changes
Does the Liver regulate menstruation?
Yes
The Liver opens into the ________
The eyes.
The Liver controls the _____ and ________ (tissues)
tendons and sinews
The contraction and relaxation of the tendons depend on the nourishment and moistening of the ____ ____
the liver Blood
Liver Blood deficiency will lead to ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, ____, (these are the symptoms in the tissues)
Liver Blood deficiency will lead to the stiffness, rigidity, numbness and tingling of the limbs, spasm, convulsion, etc.
What is the “Surplus” or “By-product” of the tendons?
Nails are the “Surplus” or “By-product” of the tendons.
They reflect the state of Liver Blood.
Look for nails that are ridged, dry, brittle and cracked.
Dry eyes could be a symbol of what?
Liver-Blood deficiency
The Liver controls tears. Tears are the fluid of the liver
What main emotion is the Liver related to?
Anger
What other emotions can Liver / anger extend to:
Liver is related to anger: extended to depression, frustration, resentment, rage
What taste is related to Liver?
Sour.
How does “sour” affect the Liver?
Sour foods can benefit the Liver, but, over-consuming sour food may weaken the liver.
What colour is associated with the Liver, and how may that manifest on the face?
Green color:
- greenish/bluish complexion
What climate is associated with the Liver?
wind
What spirit is associated with the Liver?
Hun / The ethereal soul
How does the Liver affect the eyes?
> The Liver meridian directly connects interiorly to the eyes.
The Liver-Blood nourishes and moistens the eyes for normal vision.
Eye disorders are often treated from the Liver.
The free-flow of Liver Qi assists the blood circulation, although blood circulation depends mainly on these two organs
Lungs and Heart.
Liver Qi stagnation can lead to (these physical symptoms)
The liver Qi stagnation will lead to stuffiness and pressure in the chest, distending pain in the hypochondriac region, dysmenorrhea and so on.
The liver Qi stagnation will lead to stuffiness and pressure in the chest, distending pain in the hypochondriac region, dysmenorrhea and so on.
This refers to blood ______.
blood stasis
How can excessive emotions impact the Liver?
Some excessive emotions will impair the liver function.
