The Wood phase aids us in having the flexibility to reach our destinies. The organs that resonate with the Wood phase are the Liver (Yin organ) and Gallbladder (Yang organ). They are in charge of helping you make the right decisions to keep you on your true path, and to help you overcome the obstacles you meet along the way.
The Liver (Gan 肝) is considered as the General in the ranking of organs.
"The Liver holds the office of general of the armed forces. Assessment of circumstances and conception of plans stem from it." Larre and Rochat de la Vallée, 1992b.
As the General and commander, the Liver must be aware of the ultimate goals and outcomes of each situation; showing strength and assertion when necessary; and have the ability to plan strategies, problem solve and act in cases of difficulty. The Liver also keeps the higher goals of each individual in place while making everyday or life-changing decisions. Forgetting or dawdling off one's true path due to distractions and wrong decisions may cause damage to the connection with the Liver, resulting in a vicious cycle of wrong decisions and having no vision for future goals. The strength in continuing on the right path and overcoming frustrations and distractions comes from the Liver-General. The Liver is not only involved in conscious planning and thinking, but also the unconscious processes of planning and achieving goals, like the female menstruation. This constant support from the Liver in life decisions and the natural growth and cycles of life, allow us to meet challenges in our life with strength and flexibility.
The Liver ensures the Qi flows smoothly through the body, while the Spleen is in charge of generating Qi and the Heart and Lungs govern the movement of the Qi throughout the body. These four organs all work together to ensure that the Qi reaches every part of the body and moves smoothly and freely whilst doing so. This is the Liver-Yang's territory.
If the Wood phase is unharmonious and the Liver-Qi stagnated, the Qi cannot flow smoothly through the body and symptoms such as hypochondriac (right lower rib area) pain and distension, digestive issues, overwhelming feelings or inappropriate feelings of stress, anxiety, depression or anger, as well as menstrual irregularities, may arise. If the stagnation is prolonged then the Wood phase may over power the Earth phase causing loss of appetite and digestive function, or even nausea and vomiting when stressed. Prolonged stagnation of Liver-Qi can also cause an excess of heat in the body causing symptoms like acid reflux, palpitations, a bitter taste in the mouth or extreme outbursts of anger, with a sense of rising heat. Similar symptoms can be seen if the Liver-Yang is in abundance, and unable to be grounded by the Liver-Yin. Migraines and headaches, photosensitivity, hypertension (high blood pressure) and inflamed emotional reactions, particularly rage and anger can all be a sign of an overactive Liver-Yang, or in extreme cases Liver-fire.
The Yin function of the Liver is storing Blood and regulating the volume of Blood within the body.
It is the Liver-Blood that is responsible for softening the Liver-Qi and adds delicacy to the assertiveness of the Liver.
The proper flow of Blood within the body is important as it brings nourishment and essential information to each and every cell in our body. The Blood is spread through the body by the Qi, and nourishes the Qi, giving it the strength to move through the body. The Spleen generates the Blood from food and keeps it in the vessels, whilst the Heart governs its movement around the body.
The amount of Blood in the body and menstrual cycle depends on the Liver. Deficiency or stasis of Liver-Blood can cause menstrual irregularities, affecting the flow and energy levels during menstruation, or even causing menstrual pain ('cramps'). Sometimes the Blood stasis/deficiency can be accompanied by Qi stagnation/deficiency. If this is the case pre-menstrual symptoms (irritability, nausea, fatigue, breast tenderness, abdominal cramps) may also arise. Other pathologies may arise from Liver-Blood deficiencies, mainly including eye problems or headaches and migraines. Dizziness, fatigue and light-headedness may be due to a Liver-Blood disharmony.
The Blood of the Liver is also responsible for the nourishment of tendons and ligaments. Lack of Blood leads to flaccid ligaments and prolonged healing in injuries. If Blood is stagnated, or unable to flow with ease, pain will arise, which is generally sharp or stabbing in nature and with a fixed location. Bruises or purple venules may appear on the skin in areas of Blood stagnation, or on mirrored areas on the body (e.g. a sore left shoulder, but bruising on the right knee). As the Liver nourishes the nerves and nervous system, and the Blood nourishes muscles, tendons and ligaments, neuropathies such as numbness, tingling, 'pins and needle' sensation or pain, may be caused by a Deficiency in the Liver-Blood.
The Gallbladder (Dan 膽), is considered as the Official and decision maker, it is responsible for wise judgement and making the final decision.
"There are choices in everything we do and it is through this Official that we are able to choose...Every physical movement of our body is a collection of split-second decisions which keep us in balance, and put our [limbs] and bodyweight in the right place." (Worsley, 1998, pp. 10-11)
The Gallbladder-Official works on behalf of the other Organs, as some do not have the power to make decisions. These decisions include physiological decisions like the release of hormones, or clotting factors in the Blood; as well as spontaneous decisions like crossing the street, taking a holiday or changing jobs. The Gallbladder is the regulator of all decisions, and as the Shao Yang (lesser Yang), it is the pivot between all extremes. People who lack balance and who sway from one extreme to the other may have an imbalanced Gallbladder. Lack of assertion and good decision making is also a pathology of the Gallbladder, as it gives us the determination to continue on our path and conquer any obstacle. The Gallbladder releases stored bile into the Intestines to help with the digestion of foods. Internal damp-heat or disharmony of the Gallbladder-Qi may cause digestive dysfunctions along with indecisiveness or timidity. As the Liver and Gallbladder are so closely linked in their functions, they are generally both involved in disharmonies of the Wood phase.
Chronic illnesses of the Liver (hepatitis, cirrhosis, fatty liver) can also cause damage to the Gallbladder, and in cases of Gall-stones or inflammation, even the removal of the Gallbladder. Chinese Medicine is effective in the treatment and management of such chronic illnesses, along with proper health education of the patient.
During sleep the Gallbladder-Qi is most abundant during the times of 11pm and 1am. This is the time for your mind and body to let go, so the spirit can do some problem solving during the unconscious state. From 1am to 3am, your mind and spirit settle back into the body, bringing back the essential information to achieve your destiny. The Liver-Qi is most abundant at this time, and it sends the universal knowledge through the blood to reach every part of the body, to give them their instructions for the day.
If any of the disharmonies mentioned above relate to you, book an appointment online, or call me to find out how Chinese Medicine could help you.
Sally Taylor
BASc(Chinese Medicine), BHSc(Human Biology)
Eingana Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Hicks, A., Hicks, J., & Mole, P. (2011). Five Element Constitutional Acupuncture. 2nd Edition. Churchill Livingstone: Edinburgh.
Kaptchuk, T. J. (2000). Chinese Medicine: The Web That Has No Weaver. Rider: London.
Ross, J. (1985). Zang Fu: The Organ Systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Churchill Livingstone: Edinburgh