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The Liver corresponds to Wood in the Five Elements and is most vigorous in Spring; its pulse is Xian (Wiry), it governs Hun (Ethereal Soul), its luster manifests in the nails, it nourishes the sinews, its sound is shouting, its odor is fishy, its taste is sour, its fluid is tears, its color is green, and its function is storing Blood; the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian is its associated channel. It pairs with the Gallbladder; the Gallbladder is a Fu-organ and governs the exterior, while the Liver is a Zang-organ and governs the interior.

When Liver Qi is excessive, indicating an excess of Blood, symptoms include red eyes, pain in the hypochondriac regions radiating to the lower abdomen, and irritability. If Liver Qi rebels upward, symptoms include dizziness, deafness and poor hearing, and swelling of the cheeks; this is an Excess pattern of Liver Qi, which should be treated with draining methods. When Liver Qi is deficient, symptoms include blurred vision, stiffness and spasm in the hypochondriac regions, tendon cramping, inability to take deep sighs, dry and brittle nails, a bluish complexion, and frequent sadness or fear, feeling as if being pursued; this is a Deficiency pattern of Liver Qi, which should be treated with tonifying methods.

Regarding the four seasons: Liver diseases tend to heal in Summer; if they do not heal in Summer, they worsen in Autumn; if death does not occur in Autumn, recovery awaits in Winter; and improvement begins in Spring. Regarding Heavenly Stems: healing occurs on Bing and Ding days; if not healed on these days, worsening occurs on Geng and Xin days; if death does not occur on these days, recovery awaits on Ren and Gui days; and improvement begins on Jia and Yi days. Regarding times of day: symptoms are mild at dawn, severe in the late afternoon, and quiet at midnight. One must avoid exposure to wind.

The Liver pulse position corresponds to the Guan position on the left hand. A normal Liver pulse arrives soft and forceful, like pressing the strings of a qin or se, or like holding the tip of a long bamboo pole; this is called a Normal Liver Pulse. In Spring, the pulse is rooted in Stomach Qi. In Spring, when Liver Wood is dominant, the pulse is wiry, fine, and long, which is a Normal Pulse. If instead a faint, choppy, and short pulse is obtained, this indicates Lung Metal overacting on Liver Wood (Metal overcoming Wood), representing a great reversal; such cases are ten out of ten fatal and incurable. If instead a floating, large, and surging pulse is obtained, this indicates Heart Fire overacting on Liver Wood (the child supporting the mother); although sick, recovery is expected. If instead a deep, soft, and slippery pulse is obtained, this indicates Kidney Water overacting on Liver Wood (the mother returning to the child); although sick, recovery is expected. If instead a large and moderate pulse is obtained, this indicates Spleen Earth overacting on Liver Wood (Earth encroaching on Wood); although Earth fears Wood, death will not occur even if sick. In Liver disease, the pulse arrives abundant, solid, and slippery, like stroking a long pole; this is called a Liver Disease Pulse. The dying Liver pulse arrives rapid and tense, like a newly drawn bowstring; this is called a Dying Liver Pulse. When the True Liver pulse arrives, it is urgent inside and out, like touching the edge of a blade, sharp and cutting, like a newly drawn bowstring. If the complexion is greenish-white without luster and hair breaks off, death ensues.

The *Yangsheng Fang* states: The three months of Spring are called "promoting renewal"; Heaven and Earth generate together, and all things flourish. Sleep late and rise early, walk broadly in the courtyard. Let down your hair and relax your body to allow the Spring spirit to arise. Promote growth and do not kill; give and do not deprive; reward and do not punish; this is responding to Spring Qi; it is the way of health preservation. Violating this injures the Liver, potentially transforming into cold syndromes in Summer, thereby reducing the capacity to support life generation.

The *Yangsheng Fang · Daoyin Fa* states: Patients with Liver diseases often experience sorrow, unhappiness,悲伤思虑 (sadness and rumination), or anger, accompanied by dizziness and eye pain; exhaling deeply can lead to recovery.