TCM week 3

Question 1

LIVER FUNCTIONS (6)

Answer 1

Stores Blood

Ensures the smooth flow of Qi

Controls the Sinews

Manifests in the nails

Opens into the eyes

House the Hun (Ethereal Soul

Question 2

where is blood stored

Answer 2

liver

Question 3

what effect does liver have on blood

Answer 3

-regulates blood volume
-moistens eyes and sinews
-regulate menstruation

Question 4

how does the liver regulate blood volume

Answer 4

• Blood flows to muscles and sinews during activity
• Blood flows back to the Liver at rest
• Influences resistance to external pathogens

Question 5

how does the liver moisten eyes and sinews? what happens if deficient? what if excess heat?

Answer 5

• Deficiency: Dry eyes or blurred vision
• Excess heat: Red and burning
• Poor nourishment of sinews may lead to muscle cramps and poor tendon functioning
• Internal Wind may cause muscle tremors

Question 6

how does liver regulate menstruation

Answer 6

• Deficiency can lead to amenorrhea or light bleeding
• Excess heat can lead to heavier bleeding
• Stagnation can lead to pain, cramping, and PMS
• Influences the Conception (Ren Mai) and Penetrating vessels (Chong Mai), which are connected to the uterus

Question 7

what does liver do to qi

Answer 7

ensures the smooth flow

Question 8

what are the 3 things that the smooth flow of qi controlled by the liver do

Answer 8

1. relates to emotions
2. aids in digestion
3. regulates secretion of bile

Question 9

how does liver flow of qi relate to emotions

Answer 9

• Essential to balanced emotions
• Reduced flow → Obstructed Qi → Irritability/frustration/anger
• Repressed emotion → Obstructed Qi

Question 10

how does the smooth flow of qi by the liver help aid in digestion

Answer 10

• Assists in the normal movement of Qi for each organ
• Descending for Stomach, ascending for Spleen
• Obstructed Qi → blocked movement of Qi → symptoms
• Liver directs Qi traffic in the middle burner

Question 11

how does the liver regulate secretion of bile?

Answer 11

Obstructed Qi → poor bile secretion → poor digestion

Question 12

how does the liver control the sinews

Answer 12

Nourishes the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage

An extension of the Liver

Related to Liver Blood levels

Muscles are under control of the Spleen

GB 34 is the Influential point for tendons and sinews

Question 13

what is the influential point for tendons and sinews

Answer 13

GB 34

Question 14

how does the liver manifest in the nails

Answer 14

Nails are a byproduct of sinews in TCM

• Related to Liver Blood
• Deficient = dry, brittle, cracked
• Stagnation = dark or purple

Question 15

how does liver open into the eyes

Answer 15

Related to Liver Blood

• Proper vision requires adequate Liver Blood
• Blood Deficient = blurred vision, myopia, floaters
• Yin Deficient = dry, gritty eyes
• Excess Heat = burning, painful, redness
• Stagnation = painful eyeball (or behind the eye)
• Liver Wind = moving eyeball
• Kidney Essence and Heart Qi/Blood required for vision

Question 16

how does liver control tears

Answer 16

Tears are the fluid related to the Liver
* Mainly for moistening and clearing of foreign bodies
* Not linked to emotional tears

Necessary for proper functioning of the eyes

Deficiency of Blood or Yin can lead to dry eyes

Liver Yang Rising may cause watery eyes

Question 17

what does the liver house

Answer 17

hun (ethereal soul)

Question 18

what is hun (ethereal soul) linked to? and is it yang or yin?

Answer 18

linked to spirits and demons

yang in nature

Question 19

what is the hun/etheral soul for

Answer 19

Planning life and giving life a sense of direction
* Affected by Liver function

Linked to the Corporeal Soul (Po) of the Lung
* The Po closes with death
* The Hun continues to the next life

Question 20

what is the hun/etheral soul (via liver) linked to

Answer 20

po (corporeal soul) of the lung

Question 21

how does liver control planning

Answer 21

Gives life direction and meaning

Organizes functions to ensure smooth flow of Liver Qi

Question 22

what is most common pathology of liver

Answer 22

liver qi stagnation

this can lead to many other excess and deficiency patholgoes

Question 23

slide 15 chart diagram of liver qi stagnation

Question 24

key actions of liver qi?? (not sure of what)

Answer 24

Promotes the smooth flow of Liver Qi

Subdues Liver Yang

Moves stagnation

Benefits the genitals

Benefits the breasts

Question 25

gall bladder functions (3)

Answer 25

Stores and excretes bile

Controls Decisions

Controls the Sinews

Question 26

how does the gallbladder storing and excreting bile affect and is effected by liver qi?

Answer 26

Aids the digestive functions of the spleen and stomach
–>Affected by Liver’s circulation of Qi

Only Yang organ to store a “pure” substance

Depends on flow of Liver Qi

Question 27

what is the only yang organ that stores a pure substance

Answer 27

gall bladder stores bile

Question 28

how does galldlagger control decisions

Answer 28

Works with Liver’s control of planning

Other organs depend on Gall Bladder’s decision-making capabilities
* Seen as a motivator for others

Courage and initiative (“Drive”)

Question 29

how does gallbladder control the sinews?

Answer 29

Like the Liver but less nourishing and more qi distribution to the sinews