Liver Patterns Flashcards
Functions of the Liver
Stores the Blood
Ensures the smooth flow of Qi
Controls the sinews
Manifests in the nails
Opens into the eyes
Controls the tears
Houses the Ethereal Soul - Hun
Affected by anger
Liver - general aetiology
Exterior pathogenic factors - Exterior wind can aggravate internal Wind of the Liver, for instance before a Wind-stroke. Or aggravate an internal Liver disharmony such as Liver-Yang rising causing stiff neck and headaches.
Dampness
Emotions - Anger (frustration, repressed anger, resentment and irritation.
Worry - especially in conjunction with frustration,
Sadness
Diet - Excessive hot-energy foods (red-meat, spices and alcohol can lead to Liver-Fire.
Excessive greasy foods (diary, fried) can lead to dampness in the Liver and Gall Bladder.
Inadequate consumption of warming and Blood nourishing foods (meat and grains) can lead to Blood deficiency.
Blood loss - can lead to deficiency of Liver-Blood.
Liver Qi stagnation - Clinical Manifestations
*Distention of hypochondrium, chest or abdomen.
Sighing
*Melancholy, depression, moodiness, fluctuations of mental state, feeling wound-up, feeling of a lump in the throat.
Irregular periods, distension of breasts before periods, pmt and irritability.
Tongue: Body colour normal, or in severe cases it may be slightly red on the sides.
Pulse: Taut - Tense
Liver Qi stagnation - Tongue
Tongue: Body colour normal, or in severe cases it may be slightly red on the sides.
Liver Qi stagnation - Pulse
Taut - Tense
Liver Qi stagnation - Aetiology
Emotional Stress - impedes the flow of Liver Qi
Liver Qi stagnation - Pathology
Distention Bloating - sighing is a spontaneous way to release the stagnant Qi in the chest.
Depression, aimlessness, lack of projects/dreams, irritation - The lack of flow of Qi impedes the coming and going of the Etheral soul/Hun.
Lump in the throat - Liver channel flows through here (plum stone).
Iregular periods, pmt, breast distension - Stagnation of Liver Qi imparing movement of Qi in the Directing and Penetrating vessels (Ren Mai and Chong Mai) affecting the Uterus.
Liver Qi stagnation - Precursors
Often the beginning pattern of pathological process caused by emotional stress.
Liver-Blood deficiency - Liver-Qi and Liver-Blood are the Yang and Yin aspect of the Liver and mutually influence each other.
Kidney deficiency - Kidneys are the Mother of Liver in 5-element theory.
Liver Qi stagnation - Developments
Liver-Blood stasis - Qi is the commander of Blood. Stagnation of LIver-Qi over a long period of time can cause stasis of LIver-Blood.
Liver-Heat
Liver Qi stagnation - Treatment Principles
Smooth the Liver and Move Liver Qi
Liver Qi stagnation - Acupunture
GB34 - Moves Liver Qi and particularly influences the hypochondrial region.
LIV3 - Moves Liver Qi and affects the throat and head.
LIV13 - Regulates LIver-Qi in the middle burner especially when it affects the Spleen.
LIV14 - Regulates LIver-Qi in the middle burner especially when it affects the Stomach
SJ6 - Moves Liver-Qi particularly affects the sides of the body.
P6 - Moves Liver-Qi by virtue of the relationship between Liver and Pericardium channels within the terminal Yin. This point would be indicated when stagnation caused by emotional problems.
Liver-Fire Blazing - Clinical Manifestations
Hypochondrial or epigastric distention
Slight feeling of oppression in the chest
Irritability
Melancholy
Depression
Moodiness
Lump in the throat
Heat
Red Face
Thirst
Outbursts of Anger
Pmt
Irregular periods
Premenstrual breast distension
Heavy periods
Tongue: Red on the sides
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Heat - Tongue
Tongue: Red on the sides
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Heat - Aetiology
Emotional stress
Diet - Excessive hot-energy foods.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Heat - Pathology
Heat, red face, thirst, red sides of tongue, slightly rapid pulse - The same pattern as Liver-Qi stagnation with Heat arising from stagnation.
More prone to angry outbursts and anxiety - Heat
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Heat - Precursors
Liver-Qi stagnation
More likely to arise when Liver-Qi stagnation is the origin pattern rather than when Liver-Qi stagnation arises from Liver-Blood or Kidney deficiency.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Heat - Developments
Liver-Fire
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Clinical Manifestations
Hypochondrial pain
Abdominal pain
vomiting of blood
epistaxis
painful periods
irregular periods
*dark and clotted menstrual blood,
Infertility
Masses in the abdomen
Purple nails
Purple Lips
Purple or dark complexion
Dry skin
Purple Petechiae
*Tongue: Purple, especially or only on the sides. In severe cases there will be purple spots on the sides.
Pulse - Tense, in some positions choppy, esp. in LMP
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Aetiology
Develops from other patterns: Qi stagnation, Cold or Heat.
Most commonly arises from Liver-Qi stagnation therefore shared pathology.
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Pathology
Stasis of Blood - long term Qi stagnation leads to Blood stagnation. The Liver stores the Blood and is particularly affected by stasis of Blood.
Dark. clotted periods, painful periods - Stagnation of Blood in the Ren and Chong Mai vessels.
Vomiting of blood and epistaxis are caused by stasis of Blood in the Liver channel.
Purple nails, lips, complexion, tongue - stasis
of blood.
Potentially leads to serious diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Precursors
Always derives from other patterns:
Qi stagnation - When Qi stagnates Blood stagnates, Qi is the commander of Blood.
Cold - congeals Blood.
Heat - condenses Blood
Blood-deficiency - deficient blood leads to deficient Qi which fails to move Blood. In woman the combination of Blood deficiency and Blood stasis leads to scanty but painful periods.
Phlegm - interacts with Blood-stasis and they mutually aggravate each other. Present in serious modern diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Developments
Dryness - Due to the interchange between between Blood and Body Fluids.
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Treatment Principle
Smooth the Liver
Move Qi
Move Blood
Eliminate Stasis
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Acupuncture
GB34 - Moves Liver Qi - In order to move Blood it is necessary to move Qi
LIV3 - Moves Liver-Qi and Blood
BL18 - Moves Liver-Blood
BL17 - Gathering (Hui) point for Blood and can move Blood.
SP10 - Moves Blood
BL17 and SP10 - often used in combination
REN6 - Moves Qi and Blood in cases of abdominal pain
SP4 and P6 - Open the Penetrating vessel (Chong Mai) Sea of Blood. Moves Blood in Blood stasis.
ST29 - Moves Blood in the lower burner and Uterus
KID14- point of the Penetrating vessel that moves Blood
LIV5, LIV6 move Liver-Qi and Liver-Blood
Liver-Blood Stagnation - Clinical Manifestations
*Irritability
Outbursts of Anger
Tinnitus
Deafness
*Temporal Headaches
Dizziness
*Red Face and eyes
Thirst
Bitter Taste
Dream-disturbed sleep
Constipation with dry stools
Dark yellow urine
Epistaxis (nosebleed)
Haematemesis (vomiting blood)
Heamoptysis (coughing up blood)
*Tongue: Red body, redder on the sides, dry yellow coating
Pulse: EP: Tense or Tight, Flooding Excess, Robust Pounding, Rapid esp. in LMP
Liver-Fire Blazing - Tongue
Tongue: Red body, redder on the sides, dry yellow coating
Liver-Fire Blazing - Pulse
Pulse: EP: Tense or Tight, Flooding Excess, Robust Pounding, Rapid esp. in LMP
Liver-Fire Blazing - Aetiology
Emotional Stress - Emotional repression over time makes Qi stagnate and implode, giving rise to Heat.
Diet - Excessive alcohol, fried foods and red meat can contribute to the formation of Heat in the Liver.
Liver-Fire Blazing - Pathology
Full-Heat in the Liver
Red face and eyes, temporal headaches, dizziness, dream-disturbed sleep, irritability - Natural tendency of Liver-Fire to flare upwards.
Mental emotional symptoms worse than for Liver-Yang rising or LIver-Qi stagnation as FIre agitates the MInd.
Tinnitus (high-pitched whistle)/deafness - Liver-Fire ascends upwards and clouds the ear orifices.
Bitter Taste - Liver-Fire rising towards the mouth and throat. This will be present all day not just in the morning following a bad night’s sleep, as with with Heart-Fire.
Constipation with dry stools and dark urine - Fire drys up the Body Fluids.
Vomiting or coughing blood (rare) - Liver-Fire heating the Blood causing it to extravaste.
Red tongue body and sides - reflects Heat, dry yellow coating confirms that it is Full-Heat
Liver-Fire Blazing - Precursors
Liver-Qi stagnation (long standing) - implodes and gives rise to Heat which can transform into FIre.
Liver Yang - transforming into Liver-Fire (especially when there are dietary aetiological factors).
Liver-Fire Blazing - Developments
Liver-Yin deficiency - Liver-Fire can dry up Yin
Heart-Fire - Liver-Fire can easily transmit to the Heart (more likely when severe emotional stress is the cause).
Liver-Fire Blazing - Treatment Principle
Clear the Liver
Drain Fire
Liver-Fire Blazing - Acupuncture
LIV2 - Main point to use. It is specific to drain Liver-Fire
LIV3 - Drains the Liver
GB20 - Drains the Liver-Fire and subdues ascending Liver-Qi (important point for eye problems or headaches)
Taiyang - Clears Liver-Fire and is used for Temporal headaches
GB13 - Subdues ascending Liver-Yang and calms the Mind.
LI11 - Clears Heat
GB1, GB9, GB8, GB6 important local points for Liver-Fire ascending to the head. To be used only when their are headaches.
SP6 nourish Yin which can help to drain Fire
LIV1 - clears the Liver and subdues rising Liver-Yang and Liver-Fire
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Clinical Manifestations
*Fullness in the hypochondrium, abdomen or hypogastrium
*Bitter Taste
*Sticky Taste
Poor appetite
*Nausea
*Feeling of heaviness in the body
Yellow vaginal discharge
Vaginal itching
Vulva eczema or sores
mid-cycle bleeding/and or pain
pain, redness and swelling of the scrotum
genital, popular or vesticular skin rashes and itching
urinary difficulty, burning on urinating, dark urine
*Tongue: Red body with redder sides, sticky yellow coating
Pulse: Tense and slippery esp. in LMP more tense and slippery as there is more damp and Heat.
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Tongue
Tongue: Red body with redder sides, sticky yellow coating
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Pulse
Pulse: Tense and slippery esp. in LMP more tense and slippery as there is more damp and Heat.
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Aetiology
Diet - Excessive consumption of diary foods and greasy foods or an irregular diet leads to the formation of dampness.
External pathogenic factors - External dampness invades the channels of the legs and can then easily settle in the organs, can combine with Heat.
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Pathology
Feeling of fulness - Typical of dampness
Sticky taste, vaginal discharge and vaginal sores - Dampness is sticky
Nausea, poor appetite - Dampness obstructs the middle burner impairing the descending of Stomach-Qi
Feeling of heaviness - Dampness is heavy
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Precursors
Spleen-Qi deficiency - Long term stagnation of Liver-Qi can lead to Liver-Heat which combines with Dampness. Therefore, any of the causes of Liver-Qi stagnation can contribute to this pattern.
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Developments
Phlegm - Dampness can lead to the formation of Phlegm if it persists for many years.
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Treatment Principle
Resolve Damp
Clear the Liver
Clear Heat
Damp-Heat in the Liver - Acupuncture points
LIV14 - regulates Liver-Qi in the hypochondrium and epigastrium
GB34 - resolves Dampness in the Liver and Gallbladder
BL18 - resolves Dampness from the Liver
REN12 - Tonifies the Spleen to resolve Dampness
SP9 and SP6 - resolve Dampness from the Lower Burner
LI11 - resolves dampness and clears Heat
LIV2 - clears Liver-Heat
Liver-Blood Deficiency - Clinical Manifestations
Dizziness
Numbness or tingling in the limbs
Insomnia
*Blurred vision
Floaters in eyes
Diminished night vision
*scanty menstruation or amenorrhea
*dull pale complexion without lustre
pale lips
Muscular weakness
cramps
withered and brittle nails
dry hair and skin
depression
a feeling of aimlessness
*Tongue: Pale body, especially on the sides (in severe cases can be an orangy colour) thin and slightly dry
Pulse: EP: Could be thin, possibly elevated ROE.
LMP: Thin, pos. choppy to reflect stagnation due to blood deficiency
LMP: Blood depth diminished or spreading
Liver-Blood deficiency - Tongue
*Tongue: Pale body, especially on the sides (in severe cases can be an orangy colour) thin and slightly dry
Liver-Blood deficiency - Pulse
Pulse: EP: Could be thin, possibly elevated ROE.
LMP: Thin, pos. choppy to reflect stagnation due to blood deficiency
LMP: Blood depth diminished or spreading
Liver-Blood deficiency - Aetiology
Diet - lacking in nourishment or lacking in Blood-forming foods (meat and grains) can weaken the Spleen, which in turn cannot make enough Blood. In turn not enough Blood stored by the Liver.
Emotional stress - sadness and grief can deplete Liver-Blood directly. Emotional stress may also lead to Blood-deficiency by initially depleting Qi, which fails to make enough Blood.
Excessive physical exercise - injures the Yang of the Spleen and Kidneys. Food-Qi of the Spleen is the precursor of Blood and the Kidneys are the origin of Tian Gui which makes menstrual blood. Excessive also injures the sinews and therefore the Liver in the long run.
Blood Loss
Liver-Blood deficiency - Pathology
Much more common in women than men.
Liver stores Blood so any deficiency of Blood often manifests in the Liver system.
Poor vision, floaters - The LIver opens into the eyes. Deficient Liver-Blood will fail to moisten the eyes.
Muscular weakness, cramps, tingling - Liver controls the sinews. Not enough nourishment and moistening.
Dizziness, pale lips, dull pale complexion - all signs of Blood deficiency.
Brittle nails - Liver manifests in the nails.
Scanty periods or amenorrhea - Liver-Blood is closely related to the Ren Mai and Chong Mai vessels.
Insomnia or dream-disturbed sleep - The liver houses the Ethereal soul (Hun). Liver-Blood in particular anchors the Hun at night
Depressed, aimless - not enough coming and going of the Hun.
Dampness and Phlegm are much more pervasive. Therefore, although a thin tongue indicates Blood-deficiency the patient may have a swollen tongue and still be Blood-deficient.
Liver-Blood deficiency - Precursors
Kidney-deficiency - The Kidneys play a role in the formation of Blood.
Liver-Blood deficiency - Developments
Heart-Blood deficiency - especially when subject to emotional distress.
Kidney-Deficiency - As blood plays a role in the production of essence. The Liver and Kidneys share a close physiological relationship and will effect each other vice-versa.
Liver-Qi stagnation with pre-menstrual depression rather than irritability.
Liver-Yang rising - leading to headaches.
Liver-Blood Deficiency - Treatment Principles
Tonify the Liver
Nourish Blood
Liver-Yin Deficiency - Clinical Manifestations
Dizziness
Numbness or tingling of the limbs
Insomnia
Blurred vision, floaters, dry eyes, diminished night vision.
Scanty menstruation or amenorrhea
Dull-pale complexion without lustre but with red cheekbones
Muscular weakness
Cramps
withered and brittle nails
Very dry hair and skin
Depression
A feeling of aimlessness
Tongue: Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating.
Empty Heat - Malar Flush, anxiety, a feeling of Heat on the evening, night sweating, five-palm heat, thirst with desire to drink in small sips, heavy menstrual bleeding
- Tongue: red with no coating.
Liver- Yin deficiency - aetiology
The aetiology for Liver-Yin deficiency is exactly the same as for Liver-Blood deficiency:
Diet - lacking in nourishment or lacking in Blood-forming foods (meat and grains) can weaken the Spleen, which in turn cannot make enough Blood. In turn not enough Blood stored by the Liver.
Emotional stress - sadness and grief can deplete Liver-Blood directly. Emotional stress may also lead to Blood-deficiency by initially depleting Qi, which fails to make enough Blood.
Excessive physical exercise - injures the Yang of the Spleen and Kidneys. Food-Qi of the Spleen is the precursor of Blood and the Kidneys are the origin of Tian Gui which makes menstrual blood. Excessive also injures the sinews and therefore the Liver in the long run.
Blood Loss
Liver-Yin Deficiency - Tongue
Tongue: Normal-coloured without coating or with rootless coating.
Liver-Yin Deficiency - Pathology
The same signs and symptoms as Liver-Blood deficiency, distinguished by:
Dry eyes
Red cheekbones
Tongue without coating.
Liver-Yin Deficiency - Precursors
Liver-Blood deficiency - nearly always a precursor of Liver-Yin deficiency.
Kidney-Yin deficiency - also facilitates the development of Liver-Yin deficiency from Liver-Blood deficiency.
Liver-Yin Deficiency - Developments
Kidney-Yin deficiency - vice versa
Liver-Yang Rising
Heart-Yin deficiency
Liver-Yin Deficiency - Treatment Principles
Tonify the Liver
Nourish Yin
Clear Empty Heat - if necessary
Liver-Yin Deficiency - Acupuncture points
LIV8, ST23, SP6, REN4 - Nourish Liver-Blood
KID3, KID6 - Nourish Kidney and Liver Yin
LIV2 - with reducing method if there is Empty-Heat
Liver-Yang Rising - Clinical Manifestations
*Headache (may be on the temples, eyes or lateral side of the head) Usually Unilateral.
Dizziness
Tinnitus
Deafness
Blurred vision
Dry mouth and throat
Insomnia
*Irritability, feeling worked up, propensity to outbursts of anger
Stiff neck.
Tongue: varies widely depending on underlying origin:
Liver-Blood deficiency: Pale
Liver-Yin deficiency - no coating
Rebellious Liver-Qi - Normal or slightly red on the sides.
Pulse - EP: Tight (more on Left)
LMP: Tight-Wiry, Robust Pounding more with greater excess. Possibly Empty.
Liver-Yang rising - Aetiology
Emotional Stress - Most common cause. In particular anger, frustration, resentment over a long period of time. Anger makes Qi rise and this causes Liver-Qi to have excessive movement upwards.
Diet - Eating in a hurry, getting angry at meal times and eating while working may all cause Liver-Qi to rise.
LIver-Yang Rising - Tongue
Tongue: varies widely depending on underlying origin:
Liver-Blood deficiency: Pale
Liver-Yin deficiency - no coating
Rebellious Liver-Qi - Normal or slightly red on the sides.
Liver-Yang Rising - Pulse
Pulse - EP: Tight (more on Left)
LMP: Tight-Wiry, Robust Pounding more with greater excess. Possibly Empty.
Liver-Yang Rising - Pathology
Mixed Deficiency/Excess pattern as it derives from deficiency of Liver-Yin and/or Kidney Yin or Liver-Blood causing the rising of Liver-Yang.
If the origin is Kidney-Yin deficiency can be seen as Water failing to Nourish and ‘submerge’ Wood which becomes dry from a 5-element perspective.
This pattern is an imbalance between Yin and Yang with excessive Rising of Qi. The Heat signs of Liver-Fire Blazing (purely excess pattern) are not present.
Tinnitus, deafness, angry outbursts, headache - Qi rising to the head.
Liver-Yang Rising is the most common cause of chronic headaches.
Liver-Yang Rising - Precursors
Always derives from another condition:
Liver-Yin deficiency
Kidney-Yin deficiency
Liver and Kidney-Yin deficiency
Liver-Blood deficiency
Kidney-Yang deficiency (deficiency of Kidney yin or Yang always imply deficiency of the other as Yin and Yang are from the same root).
Liver-Yang Rising - Developments
Liver-Fire - may eventually develop into Fire especially if the diet consists of excessive hot energy foods.
Liver-Wind - especially in the elderly.
Liver-Yang Rising - Treatment Principle
Subdue Liver-Yang
Nourish Yin or Blood
Liver-Yang Rising - Acupuncture
LIV3 - subdues Liver Yang
SJ5 - Subdues Liver-Yang and is especially indicated for headaches along the Gall Bladder channel.
P6 - helps to subdue Liver-Yang and calm the Mind
LI4 - Regulates the ascending and descending of Qi and therefore helps to subdue Liver-Yang
GB43 -Main distal point for headaches around the eye or temple
GB38 - distal point to subdue Liver-Yang often used for chronic or stubborn migraine headaches
GB20 - an important adjacent point to subdue Liver-Yang
BL2, Taiyang, GB9, GB8, GB6 - important local points for headaches from Liver-Yang Rising, chosen according to the location of the headache.
SP6, LIV8, ST36 - nourish Liver-Blood and Liver-Yin
KID3 and KID6 - used if there is Kidney deficiency.
Liver-Wind from Extreme Heat - Clinical Manifestations
High Temperature
Convulsions
Rigidity of the neck
Tremor of the limbs
Opishotonos
Coma (severe cases)
Tongue: Deep-Red, Stiff, yellow coating
EP: Tense, Robust Pounding, Rapid
LMP: Tight-Wiry, possibly floating
Liver-Wind from Extreme Heat - Aetiology
Invasion of exterior Wind-Heat transforming into internal Heat. When Heat reaches the Blood level it may transform into Internal-Wind.
Liver-Wind from Extreme Heat - Pathology
When Heat reaches the Blood level in febrile diseases it injures Yin and the Yin deficiency gives rise to Internal-Wind
Liver-Wind from Extreme Heat - Treatment Principle
Cool Blood
Nourish Yin
Extinguish Wind
Liver-Wind from Extreme Heat - Acupuncture
LIV3 - Extinguishes Liver-Wind
The Shixuan points at the tips of each finger extinguish Wind and Cool Blood when they are pricked to Bleed.
DU20, DU16, GB20 -Extinguish Wind
DU8 - Relieves spasms to stop convulsions
DU14 is pricked to cool Blood.
Liver-Wind from Extreme Heat - Pulse
EP: Tense, Robust Pounding, Rapid
LMP: Tight-Wiry, possibly floating
Liver-Wind from Extreme Heat - Tongue
Deep-Red, stiff, yellow coating
Liver-Yang Rising Generating Wind - Clinical Manifestations
Facial Tic
Severe dizziness
Tinnitus
Headache
Hypertension
Dry throat
Dry eyes
Blurred vision
Numbness or Tingling of the Limbs
Poor Memory
Deriving from Liver and Kidney-Yin deficiency:
also: Backache, scanty urination, night sweating.
Deriving from Liver-Blood deficiency also: Insomnia
Pulse: Full overflowing wave, possibly ropy, Robust pounding and Tight-wiry esp. in LMP, which may also be floating and Wiry.
Tongue: Normal colour, without coating. (if deriving from Liver-Blood deficiency: Pale and thin)
Liver-Yang Rising Generating Wind - Pulse
Pulse: Full overflowing wave, possibly ropy, Robust pounding and Tight-wiry esp. in LMP, which may also be floating and Wiry.
Liver-Yang Rising Generating Wind - Pulse
Tongue: Normal colour, without coating. (if deriving from Liver-Blood deficiency: Pale and thin)
Liver-Yang Rising Generating Wind - Precursors
Liver-Yang rising derived from:
Liver-Yin deficiency
Liver and Kidney-Yin deficiency
Liver-Blood deficiency
Liver-Yang Rising Generating Wind - Treatment Principles
Derived from:
Liver-Yin deficiency - Subdue Liver-Yang, Extinguish Wind, Nourish Liver-Yin
Liver and Kidney-Yin deficiency: Subdue Liver-Yang, Extinguish Wind, Nourish Liver and Kidney-Yin
Liver-Blood deficiency: Subdue Liver-Yang, Extinguish Wind, Nourish Liver-Blood
Liver-Yang Rising Generating Wind - Acupuncture
LIV3 - Subdues Liver-Yang and extinguishes Wind
GB20 - Subdues Yang and extinguishes Wind
LI4 - Helps to subdue Yang
SJ5 - Subdues Liver-Yang
DU19 - extinguishes Wind
SP6, LIV8, KID3 - Nourish Liver-Yin
Derived from:
Liver and Kidney-Yin deficiency: also KID6, REN4 - Nourish Kidney-Yin
Liver-Blood deficiency: BL17, REN4 - Nourish Blood
Deficient Liver-Blood causing Wind - Clinical Manifestations
Facial Tic
Dizziness
Blurred Vision
Numbness or Tingling of Limbs
Poor Memory
Insomnia
Scanty periods
Tongue: Pale and Thin
Pulse: Tight and Thin, especially in LMP, which may also be Floating and Wiry.
Deficient Liver-Blood causing Wind - Tongue
Pale and Thin
Deficient Liver-Blood causing Wind - Pulse
Pulse: Tight and Thin, especially in LMP, which may also be Floating and Wiry.
Deficient Liver-Blood causing Wind - Aetiology
The same as for LIver-Blood deficiency:
Diet - lacking in nourishment or lacking in Blood-forming foods (meat and grains) can weaken the Spleen, which in turn cannot make enough Blood. In turn not enough Blood stored by the Liver.
Emotional stress - sadness and grief can deplete Liver-Blood directly. Emotional stress may also lead to Blood-deficiency by initially depleting Qi, which fails to make enough Blood.
Excessive physical exercise - injures the Yang of the Spleen and Kidneys. Food-Qi of the Spleen is the precursor of Blood and the Kidneys are the origin of Tian Gui which makes menstrual blood. Excessive also injures the sinews and therefore the Liver in the long run.
Blood Loss
Deficient Liver-Blood causing Wind - Pathology
The place normally occupied by Blood in the Vessels is ‘taken up’ by Wind leading to the development of internal Wind.
Deficient Liver-Blood causing Wind - Treatment Principle
Nourish Liver-Blood
Extinguish Wind
Deficient Liver-Blood causing Wind - Acupuncture
LIV3 - extinguishes Wind
GB20 - extinguishes Wind
LI4 - Helps to subdue Yang and therefore extinguish Wind
SJ5 - Subdues Liver-Yang
DU19 - extinguishes Wind
SP6, LIV8, KID3 - Nourish Liver-Blood
REN4, BL17 - Nourish Blood
Liver-Fire Generating Wind - Clinical Manifestations
Tremor
Irritability
Propensity to outbursts of anger
Tinnitus and/or deafness (with sudden onset)
Temporal headache
Dizziness
Red face and eyes
Thirst
Bitter taste
Dream-disturbed sleep
Constipation with dry stools
Dark yellow urine
Epistaxis
Coughing or vomiting Blood.
Nosebleed
Tongue: Red with redder sides, dry yellow coating
Liver-Fire Generating Wind -Pathology
Liver-Fire may generate Wind when it persists for some years. This is more likely to occur in the elderly. The pattern is compared to a forest fire that fans winds. This is a Full-Heat pattern.
Liver-Fire Generating Wind - Treatment Principle
Clear the Liver
Drain Fire
Extinguish Wind
Liver-Fire Generating Wind - Acupuncture
LIV1 - Extinguishes Liver-Wind
LIV2 - Drains Liver-Fire
LIV3 - extinguishes Liver-Wind
GB20 - extinguishes Wind
LI11 - Drains Fire
GB1 - Extinguishes Liver-Wind
SP6 - Nourish Yin to help drain Fire
DU8 - Relieves spasms and Tremors
Liver invading the Stomach/Spleen - Clinical Manifestations
Irritability
*Abdominal distension and pain
*Alternation of constipation and diarrhoea - stools sometimes dry and bitty and sometimes loose.
Flatulence
Tiredness
Invading Stomach:
A feeling of oppression in the epigastrium
Sour regurgitation
Hiccups
Belching
Nausea
Vomiting
Sighing
Weak Limbs
Tongue: Normal coloured or Slightly red on sides
Pulse: EP: Tense or Yielding/Diminished/Absent at Qi Depth if Qi-deficient.
RMP: Diminished, Absent or Thinner, Reduced Pounding, possibly tense/tight at Qi depth and Diminished below.
LMP: Tense or Tense-Tight, Robust Pounding, Flooding Excess Wave.
Liver invading Stomach/Spleen - Tongue
Tongue: Normal coloured or Slightly red on sides
Liver invading Stomach/Spleen - Aetiology
Emotional Stress - usually caused by emotional problems that affect the Liver, such as Anger, Frustration and resentment. Over a long period these emotions cause the Qi to stagnate and this interferes with the Spleen functions preventing Spleen-Qi from rising.
Diet - Irregular eating and especially eating in a Hurry when worried, angry or working can cause Liver-Qi to rebel upwards towards the Spleen and the Spleen’s function of Transporting and Transforming to be impaired.
Liver invading Stomach/Spleen - Pathology
The Liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi. Liver-Qi rebelling upwards towards the Spleen impairs the Spleen’s function of Transporting and Transforming and prevents Spleen-Qi from rising and Stomach-Qi from ascending.
Wood over-acting on Earth.
Mixed pattern - Excess of Liver, Deficiency of Spleen.
Distension/bloating - Liver-Qi stagnation
Liver invading Stomach/Spleen - Precursors
Liver-Qi stagnation
Liver invading Stomach/Spleen - Developments
Spleen-Qi and Spleen-Yin deficiency - Rebellious Liver-Qi can weaken the Spleen over time.
Stomach-Yin deficiency
Dampness - Tranformation and Transportation functions of the Spleen impaired.
Liver invading Stomach/Spleen - Treatment principle
Subdue rebellious Qi
Tonfiy the Stomach and Spleen
Liver invading Stomach/Spleen - Acupuncture
LIV13 - Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
LIV14 - Harmonizes the Liver and promotes the Smooth Flow of Liver-Qi
LIV3 - Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi and calms abdominal pain.
GB34 - Promotes the smooth flow of Liver-Qi. In combination with REN6 calms abdominal pain.
SJ6 and PC6 - Mover Liver-Qi and calm the Shen
ST25, SP15 - Harmonise the Liver and Spleen and treat both constipation and loose stools.
REN12, ST36, SP6 - Tonify the Spleen. SP6 also harmonizes the LIver and Spleen and stops abdominal pain.
SP4 and PC6 in combination open the Penetrating vessel (Chong Mai) and harmonise the Liver and Spleen.
Invading Stomach: REN13 - Subdues rebellious ascending Stomach-Qi
REN10 Stimulates the ascending of Stomach Qi
BL21 - Tonifies the Stomach.
