Traditional Chinese Medicine and the Liver©
David McCluggage, D.V.M.
The Traditional Chinese Medical (TCM) Liver
- The TCM Liver has the following functions:
- Ensuring the smooth flow of Qi
- Storing Blood
- Controls the Sinews (ligaments and tendons)
- Opens into the eyes
- Manifests in the nails
- More than any other TCM organ, the Liver is responsible for the immune system and its function
Patterns of Liver Disease
- Stagnated Liver Qi
- Caused
by emotional problems
- Frustration
- Anger
- Resentmen
- Produces
- Behavioral problems
- Obsessive/compulsive actions
- Anger, depression
- Can invade other organs producing a variety of physical problems
Specific Patterns of Liver Disease
Stagnated Liver Qi
- Invading the Stomach, causing slow digestion, poor crop emptying, vomiting and nausea
- Invading the Spleen, causing diarrhea
- Invading the Small intestine, causing constipation
- Impair movement of Blood, causing
- Decreased fertility, cause vaginal and uterine problemsImpede the flow of Qi to other organs and the movement of blood, both will negatively affect the function of the "western" immune system
- This will have the potential to lead to chronic infections, especially those of the liver and respiratory system
Liver Fire Blazing Upwards
- From the Invasion of Wind Heat or from Stagnation of Liver Qi
- Produces red swollen eyes ("conjunctivitis")
- Also seen with certain viral infections and chlamydial infections
Stasis of Liver Blood
- Produces infertility in hensCan produce vomiting of blood and nose bleeds
- Dries out the nasal and sinus passages, predisposing birds to infections
Liver Attacking Stomach
- A variation of Qi Stagnation
- Produces poor digestion and assimilation of nutrients
Liver and Spleen Disharmony
- A Variation of Qi Stagnation
- Poor digestion, diarrhea
Thus Liver Qi Stagnation (produced by many things, but commonly from the stress of a captive life) often produces
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Poor digestion
- The lack of the free flow of Qi
to the body will produce
- Chronic immune deficiencies
- Predisposing animals to the development of infections, allergies, hormonal problems
Eventually Overt Liver Disease Develops
· Liver Disease can include a variety of different signs that must be dealt with:
· Fluid build-up
· Fire Toxins
· Cirrhosis
· Hepatitis, inflammation
· Blood Deficiency
· A variety of Traditional Chinese Medical diagnoses, which all need to be treated with the appropriate acupuncture points and herbs
Acupuncture For Liver Disease
- Vary by the pattern of liver disorder, general points include:
- BL 18, BL 19, LIV 3, GV 9, ST 36, GB 35, BL 40, LIV 13, SP 6
Herbal Combinations for Liver Disease
- Vary by the pattern of liver disorder
· Eclipta (Seven Forest)
· Ecliptex (Health Concerns)
· Bupleurum/Gardenia Formula (Damp Heat)
o bupleurum 15%
o peony 15% (5% each of peony, red peony, moutan)
o gardenia 15%
o forsythia 15%
o astragalus 15%
o salvia 15%
o tang-kuei 10%
· Zhen Wu Tang (KI Yang vacuity with Liver Cirrhosis)
o Aconite 20%
o Atractyloides 20%
o Poria 20 %
o Zingibers 20 %
o Peony 20 %
· Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Combo)
o Hepatitis, gallbladder damp-heat, liver fire
· Xiao Chai Hu Tang (Minor Blupleurum)
o Disharmony of Liver and Spleen, with Liver Qi Stagnation and a Spleen Qi vacuity
· Xiao Yao San (Bupleurum and Tang Kuei; Easy Wanderer)
o Stagnation of Liver Qi and Blood
o Blood Deficiency
o Spleen vacuity
· Jia Wei Fu Mai Tang (Modified Pulse Restorative Decoction)
o Liver and Kidney Yin Vacuity
o Usually acute, with heat signs, dehydration, jaundice