"Liver and gallbladder take care of each other" means that the liver and gallbladder are closely related and take care of each other. By extension, it is used to describe the sincerity between people, seeing each other sincerely, sincerity and tacit understanding. In the theory o

"Liver and gallbladder take care of each other" means that the liver and gallbladder are closely related and take care of each other. By extension, it is used as a metaphor for people to treat each other sincerely, to see each other sincerely, to be sincere and to understand each other tacitly. In the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, the relationship between liver and gallbladder The relationship is inseparable and it is an important organ of the human body.

The liver is a viscera, and the gallbladder is a viscera. The appearance and interiority of the liver and gallbladder are important points in the viscera theory of traditional Chinese medicine. The liver meridian and the gallbladder meridian belong to each other, and they are closely related in physiology and pathology. is mainly reflected in:

first , the liver and gallbladder have a relatively close anatomical connection. "The Difficult Classic" mentions: "The gallbladder is between the short lobes of the liver", and "Essential Prescriptions for Emergency Prescriptions" also states: "The gallbladder...is between the short lobes of the liver, and the lower part stores water and essence." Speaking of the anatomical location of the liver and gallbladder, this is consistent with modern anatomical views.

Secondly, the liver and gallbladder form an internal and external relationship through the meridians. "Nei Jing ∙ Su Wen" states: "Foot Taiyang and Shaoyin are the exterior and interior, Shaoyang and Jueyin are the exterior and interior." According to meridian science, Foot Shaoyang belongs to the gallbladder and liver, and Foot Jueyin belongs to the liver and gallbladder. Yang is on the outside, and liver belongs to yin on the inside. The two constitute the relationship between yin and yang on the outside and inside.

Third, there is a close biochemical relationship between bile and liver qi. The gallbladder is responsible for storing and excreting bile. However, bile is metabolized by the essence of the liver. As stated in "Donguibojian": "The remaining energy of the liver is released into the gallbladder and gathered to form essence."

Fourth, the liver and gallbladder have the same function of regulating relaxation. The liver and gallbladder both belong to wood, and the nature of wood is dispersion. First, it is manifested in the excretion of bile by the gallbladder. If the liver's dispersion function is normal, the qi machine will be adjusted to make bile qi flow smoothly and bile flow smoothly. If the liver fails to disseminate bile, it may lead to bile discharge. If excretion is unfavorable and bile is stagnant, the liver and gallbladder qi will be unfavorable, which may lead to the same diseases of the liver and gallbladder. The liver and gallbladder are interdependent. If the liver has normal excretion, the secretion and excretion of bile will be normal, and together they can assist in the digestion of food. The second is in terms of bravery and timidity. "Suwen·Linglan Secret Code" says: "The liver is the official of the general, and his planning comes out; the courageous person, the official of the Zhongzheng, makes his decisions." This shows that the liver controls planning. Thinking deeply about things is related to emotional activities; gallbladder governs decision-making, making decisions and judgments about things, and is related to courage and timidity. Decision is needed after deliberation, and decision-making comes from deliberation. The functions of the liver and gallbladder are closely coordinated with human thinking activities. If it is normal, it will handle the situation decisively and resolutely. As the "Lei Jing" says: "The gallbladder is attached to the liver and is related to the exterior and interior. Although the liver qi is strong, it is not due to the gallbladder. The liver and gallbladder complement each other and courage is achieved."

The main manifestations of "liver and gallbladder" in diseases and syndrome differentiation treatment:

1 Liver disease and gallbladder

Insufficient liver drainage will lead to liver disease and gallbladder. Abnormal liver drainage function will affect the normal secretion, storage and excretion of bile. Bile excretion is not smooth and does not follow the normal channels. The bile rises up and overflows on the facial skin. The patient will have yellow eyes and body. If it flows down into the bladder, symptoms such as yellow urine will appear. Therefore, there is a treatment method of "liver disease requires choleretics".

2 Bile disease and liver

Biliary duct obstruction will also affect the liver and cannot perform its catharsis function. Therefore, gall disease often affects the liver. "The True Biography of Medical Theory" records that "the liver opens up to the eyes and is related to the gallbladder from the outside to the inside, and superficial diseases affect the inside." , the heat inside is too strong... so you feel dizzy." It is also believed that the yang generated by the liver and gallbladder is weak, and yang does not generate yin and does not grow, so the throat is dry. Stagnation of bile qi will affect the rise and fall of the liver and lungs. At this time, it is advisable to lower the qi and reverse the stagnation to dissolve phlegm. If the stagnation is removed, the seven emotions will be smooth and there will be no stagnation of liver wood.

Many symptoms of liver and gallbladder diseases described by ancient doctors can be seen in modern times such as acute and chronic hepatitis, acute and chronic cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, liver cancer and other diseases. When liver qi pushes up the gallbladder fire, it will cause dizziness and pain in the head, bitter mouth and dry throat, tinnitus and deafness. Symptoms such as cheek swelling and gall tumors appear. As stated in "New Compilation of Materia Medica": "The liver meridian and the gallbladder meridian are exterior and interior. When evil enters the liver, there is always a case where the evil does not enter the gallbladder. Either the evil enters the liver from the gallbladder, or the evil enters the liver and remains in the liver." The gallbladder is facing each other and connected with each other. Bupleurum is a medicine that dispels liver evils and also dispels gallbladder evils. Therefore, half of it enters the liver and half of it enters the gallbladder. Therefore, it treats the liver and the gallbladder evils come out. It cures gallbladder and liver evils."

Liver and gallbladder are inseparable. According to the discussion of many doctors, simultaneous treatment of liver and gallbladder has also become an important treatment principle for liver disease. As far as chronic hepatitis is concerned, attention should be paid to soothing the gallbladder and gallbladder, and simultaneous treatment of liver and gallbladder can stabilize liver function, shorten the course of chronic hepatitis, and can It can block or delay the process of liver cirrhosis to a certain extent. As the saying goes, "If the gallbladder and bowels are not clear, the liver will not be peaceful", which fully reflects the concept of "taking care of the liver and gallbladder" in the treatment of liver disease, and also reflects the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of pre-existing and existing diseases. The idea of ​​preventive medicine against degeneration.

About the author

Chen Guangchao: Master of Medicine, lecturer, mainly engaged in teaching and research work such as "Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics" and "Traditional Chinese Medicine".

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