Library

The Jueyin Liver resides in the human body below the Taiyin Spleen and anterior to the Shaoyin Kidney, occupying the central position of the lower body. Therefore, its location is in the hypogastrium (lower abdomen), its territory is the Sea of Blood (Xuehai), and the organ is slightly deviated to the left; thus, its region corresponds to the two flanks and the inner thighs. Its meridian Qi originates at the lateral side of the big toe, ascends along the medial aspect of the thigh, circles the external genitalia, reaches the hypogastrium, passes upward through the diaphragm, follows the posterior aspect of the throat, enters the pharynx (Hangsang), and intersects with the Du Meridian at the vertex. Hence, the Jueyin channel connects to the vertex. However, this organ represents the culmination of Yin-Yin interaction, being the extreme end of Yin. Its exterior counterpart is the Shaoyang; from this extremity, recovery begins, and the arrival of one Yang leads to regeneration. Thus, the Shaoyang channel originates from Jueyin, and the generating Qi of one Yang arises here. Consequently, this organ possesses the virtue of Wood, governs Spring, corresponds to Jia and Yi (Heavenly Stems), and shares a interior-exterior relationship with the Gallbladder Qi. Furthermore, this organ stores Blood and serves as the repository for blood; therefore, its function is that of a Blood Organ governing the containment of blood. It also governs the sinews and acts as a unique envoy between the two Yins, enabling it to bear the labor of bones and sinews, serving as the root of fatigue tolerance (Baji zhi ben). Its essence nourishes the eyes superiorly and communicates laterally with the ears. Possessing the virtue of Wood, its nature is soft and ascending, symbolizing Spring, characterized by free flow and unobstructedness; thus, its Qi tends to be prone to urgency, manifesting as explosive anger when provoked. When diseased, its symptoms often involve rebellious Qi. Rebellious Qi causes headache, deafness and poor hearing, swelling of the cheeks, head tremors, blurred vision, pain in the hypochondrium radiating to the hypogastrium, and irritability. In deficiency patterns, there is impaired vision, inability to hear, excessive fear, and a sensation as if being pursued. Regarding meridian pathology, it presents as low back pain preventing bending backward, hernia in men, and hypogastric swelling in women. In severe cases, there is dryness of the throat, a dusty complexion with loss of luster, and strangury (difficulty in urination). If caused by stagnation or excessive control (Wu Xing overcoming relationship), it inevitably affects the controlled organs. If Liver Wood overacts, Spleen Earth suffers evil, resulting in chest fullness, vomiting and reflux, and undigested food diarrhea. This is the general overview. However, acting as a unique envoy among the five Zang organs and combining with the Shaoyang Gallbladder as a roaming department, and being called the "General Officer," its Qi permeates the entire body. When harmonious, it nourishes all organs; when deficient or hyperactive, it becomes a destroyer of all organs. All manifestations of the Wiry Pulse are related to this. Therefore, rebellious conditions of the Liver are most numerous. Interactions with cold, heat, excess, and deficiency pathogens, self-disease of the primary channel, and meridian Qi interactions result in more than thirty types of symptoms, fundamentally归结 to Liver Qi insufficiency, which needs no further explanation. Even apparent Liver excess is not true excess but rather Liver Yin insufficiency. Some claim there is no tonification method for the Liver; this is an error of past scholars. Liver Qi rebellion stems from Liver emotion stagnation; the Classic states: disperse it with Pungent flavors, tonify it with Pungent flavors. How can this be considered attacking? Liver Fire excess stems from Liver Blood deficiency; the Classic states: drain it with Sour flavors, gather it with Sour flavors. How can nourishment be abandoned? When Yin pathogens invade, Yin Cold collapse occurs, which requires warming, thereby tonifying Qi. When Yin deficiency fails to nourish, Yang Cold collapse occurs, which requires clearing, thereby cooling the Blood. In modern times, Xue Lizhai proposed theories of clearing Liver Fire and tonifying Liver Blood, correcting previous errors, which was appropriate.