The Liver: A Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective by Steven K. H. Aung, MD, OMD, PhD, FAAFP, CM
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n traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), balancing and harmonizing the body requires maintaining a healthy liver. According to the holistic perspective of this ancient medical practice, a healthy liver influences an individual’s health in many positive ways, helping to maximize our quality of life physically, mentally and spiritually. A healthy liver is necessary for digestion and detoxification, mental stability and harmony, and spiritual grounding to make sound decisions. The liver is considered a zang (solid) organ that is located in the middle jiao (body cavity). In its function as a yin organ, the liver controls the smooth flow of energy and nutrition. The main energetic functions of the liver are to mediate the flow of qi (vital energy) and to store the blood, while the main spiritual functions of the liver are to control a person’s congenital (present at birth) body constitution, determination and decision-making.
The liver is paired with the fu (hollow) organ, the gallbladder, which moves and excretes toxic end products. The liver and gallbladder function physiologically in homeostasis, while also balancing and harmonizing with the other organs―like the heart, lung and kidneys―according to the Five Elements Theory.
“The liver is considered to be within the domain of the wood element, and is most active in spring.” Are you a wood personality? According to the Five Elements Theory, each individual has a certain personality and nature that corresponds with one of the five elements, which are wood, fire, earth, metal and water. The liver is considered to be within the domain of
the wood element, and is most active in spring. Individuals’ corresponding element can be determined by observing the shape of their hands. People who are considered “wood personalities” have middle finger lengths that are equivalent to the length of their palms, with many fine lines on the palm’s surface. They also display nonprominent thenar (palm muscles at the base of the thumb) and hypothenar muscles (which control the little finger), with a tendency toward Dupuytren’s contracture, where the fingers curl towards the palm and cannot fully straighten. People of wood personalities always enjoy mother nature and the colour green, and can be short-tempered. Some can be prone to alcohol addictions. Wood personalities may often come into conflict with individuals who are of the elements metal and fire. In contrast, they are more sympathetic and comfortable with individuals of the elements earth and water.
“On the face, the liver is frequently reflected by the condition of the cheeks, known in Western medicine as rosacea, especially on the left side of the face.” 26 | Health Action | www.hans.org