Written by Dennis Landes, M.Ac.O.M., L.Ac.   http://www.LandesHealthcare.com

In Oriental Medicine, the Liver (Yin), and Gallbladder (Yang), are paired organ meridian systems associated with Spring, and the element of Wood, and the color green.

In Oriental Medicine, it is said the Liver (Lv) and Gallbladder (Gb) govern the tendons and ligaments, and the Lv opens to the eyes.  The Lv also stores blood and chi when the body is at rest.   Since the Lv stores blood and chi (energy/vital force), it is also responsible for maintaining a smooth and harmonious flow of blood and chi in the body.

The Chinese ancients observed nature and its manifestations.  They also reasoned the human body is part of nature and applied what was observed manifesting in nature to the body, in picturesque terms. Examples of this are that heat rises above a fire, therefore heat must also rise upward in the body from internal fire.  Fire may warm and be of benefit, but fire may also burn fiercely and cause drying, charring, and even turning to ash all it comes in contact with.  When there is a  breeze, leaves quiver and shake, and when the wind blows harder tree limbs and branches shake.  Therefore, when a persons body has limbs that shake, or quiver (as with a palsy), wind must be moving within.  When the wind blows hard enough in nature, tree limbs will break, and it was reasoned that if internal wind moved forcefully enough in the physical body, something may also break.

Just as blowing wind may enter a house when doors and windows are left open, or if the house is ill cared for and deteriorating, external wind may also enter the human body if its' care is ignored, and this bodes ill tidings for the inhabitant.  In nature, wind also arises if there is a large enough fire, ie. firestorm.  When this happens, it is always a dangerous event for all that is close by.  If there is an uncontrolled fire burning within the body, it may also generate a very fierce wind that may cause internal damage of channels and collaterals, even blood vessels, one potential cause of a stroke.

The unhealthy emotion associated with Lv is anger, and with Gb it is resentment.  If you know someone who is angry all the time, you know their liver is very unhappy.  If you know anyone with lots of resentment, be assured they have an unhappy gallbladder.  Even western medicine has come to realize emotions are physical (however some western physicians are still not up to speed with the research). Emotions are generated by chemical changes in the physical system and then expressed by an individual.

Some other health challenges that may be associated with unhappy Lv or Gb are arthritic conditions, ache or pain in the rib cage, tight shoulders and neck, red or itchy eyes, poor vision, headache, and shoulder, hip, and knee problems, allergies, sleep problems, difficulty getting going in the morning (slow getting up), and deep aches in an area of the body.  The Liver is also involved in reproductive function in TCM.  Any women with problems with her period should consider unhappy Lv, and consult with her TCM professional (Acupuncturist).

Just as spring time is a great time for house cleaning, it is a great time for cleaning of the body, especially the Lv and Gb.

Now go to a mirror and look at your tongue.  Is the color purple, or is there a purple tinge?  This indicates stagnation because chi and blood are not moving smoothly enough.
Do you notice the right or left side to be shrunken, swollen, or some other irregularity?  This will indicate problems of the Gb (right side), or Lv (left side).  It is recommended you consult with a practitioner of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine for more clarity and assistance.

Foods to stay away from with Lv and Gb problems and complaints follow.  Once abstaining from these foods, be very careful about partaking in the future, for the result may be very uncomfortable. The explanation is logical.  The body is designed to work optimally and conserve energy at the same time.  When one eats foods that are an insult to the system, it soon stops gearing up to deal with the insulting ingredients, and stashes them wherever possible (muscle, fat, bone, etc.).  Kind of like throwing things in a closet, or sweeping them under a rug, rather then taking the time to deal with them properly.  Within three to four days of the offending substances no longer entering the system, the body says, "Hey!  That stuff isn't coming in, I can get to work", and it busily goes about dumping as much junk into the blood stream as possible.  As possible for the body to continue to function optimally and with relative comfort. This means the system is right up to the brim with junk to process as efficiently as possible, and just a hint of an offending substance overflows the brim and throws the system into crises mode.  This usually means PAIN!!!!, and whatever the symptoms where previously, they are much worse than before.  Consult with your Acupuncturist and TCM professional.

Back to foods for unhappy Lv or Gb.  Stay away from alcohol, chocolate, orange juice, coffee, deep fried food, dairy (unsalted sweet butter, kefir, and yogurt may be okay?), raw fish, shellfish, nuts and seeds may also be a problem, peanuts, peanut butter, peanut oil, canola oil, cotton seed oil, mustard, mayo.  Sweets may also be problematic.

Eat lots of steamed green leafy vegetables, turnip, broccoli, kale, spinach, dandelion, etc.
Be sure you use the highest quality oil possible.  Olive and coconut are recommended.  Keep your oils in dark containers so light does not degrade them, and refrigerated, so they do not turn rancid.

The Liver is a work horse in the body, and some say one lives with/through the Liver.   The Romans were convinced the Liver was the most important organ of the body.  The Liver is one organ that regenerates if just a little healthy bit is still left.  Keep your Liver and Gallbladder happy, and live long and prosper.