2024 Yang Wood Dragon Year Part 2

 

In our previous post 2024 Yang Wood Dragon Year Part 1 we discussed the initial stage of disharmony characterizing the Yang Wood Dragon Year. In this post, we continue this discussion by investigating the second, the Jueyin stage.

The second stage requiring support this year is the Jueyin regions and organs, specifically the Liver and Pericardium. The liver and pericardium belong to the Wood element. Traditional Chinese medicine teaches that the Pericardium is assigned to the Fire element, but this is incorrect. One of my early mentors Dr. Richard Tan, taught me that the Pericardium and San Jiao (Triple Burner or Triple Heater) are actually assigned to the Wood element. The liver and pericardium are closely connected in TCM, with the liver responsible for the smooth flow of Qi, Blood, and Body Fluids, and the pericardium functions as the heart protector. An imbalance of the liver and pericardium can result in various health issues, affecting both mental and physical aspects.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Jueyin stage refers to one of the six stages of disease progression. Each stage represents a specific level of pathology and is associated with particular organs and meridians. The Jueyin stage is characterized by both deficiency and excess patterns of disharmony related primarily to the various TCM liver functions. Another fundamental characteristic of the Jueyin level is its relationship to the movement of blood in the arteries and veins. When the Jueyin level is stagnant it adversely affects blood circulation. When the Jueyin is excessive Blood Heat and Blood Deficiency will result. 

TCM Functions of the Liver:

Governs the smooth flow of Qi and blood.

Stores blood and regulates its volume.

Controls the tendons and manifests in the nails.

Opens into the eyes and is associated with vision.

Houses the ethereal soul (Hun).

TCM Functions of the Pericardium:

Protects the Heart.

Regulates blood circulation and nourishes the blood vessels.

Influences mental and emotional well-being.

Houses the mind (Shen).

A unique characteristic of TCM is the various internal connections each organ has with other organs and body regions. These connections are considered to be similar to the acupuncture meridians but without acupuncture points. In the case of the liver and pericardium they each have specific connections that help to explain pathological processes affecting each of these organs. It's helpful to review the TCM organs and their location within the San Jiao.

Notice how the Wood element organs are located in both the upper and middle jiao. Their effect on these regions is of major importance

The Liver (LV) is connected to the Pericardium (PC), Gallbladder (GB), Small Intestine (SI), Large Intestine (LI), Lungs (LU), the lymphatic, endocrine, and psycho-emotional systems. Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the liver's functions, either weakening or inflaming it. The red organs belong to the Fire element, the gray organs to the Metal element, and the green organs to the Wood element. A common source of excess energy affecting the liver is in the small and large intestines. Pathogenic heat easily disturbs the liver which then is transported to the lungs, lymphatic and endocrine systems, and agitates the emotional state. 

One feature of the Wood element is its impact on the moving energy of the body. One way of assessing health in TCM is by determining the relative movement in the body. In the field of physics, there are two types of energy, kinetic and potential. Kinetic energy is the yang energy in the body. Potential energy is the yin energy in the body. Balancing yin and yang is simply a matter of balancing the moving and stagnant energies of the body. In TCM moving energy is necessary for health and wellness. Stagnant energy creates disease. When yin and yang are out of balance disease patterns begin. This can be simple aches and pains to severe chronic diseases such as cancer. The Wood element organs, liver, pericardium, san jiao, and gallbladder, typically, are known for their patterns of disharmony involving excess pathogenic patterns. In most of these cases, the result is a problem with stress, psycho-emotional disturbances, irritability, menstrual problems, digestive problems, and sleep disorders. 

The deficiency patterns of the Liver are that of blood deficiency and or yin deficiency. The effects are similar: insomnia, blurred or impaired vision, dry eyes, and menstrual problems. 

The small intestine is within the Fire element. It is a yang organ, which by definition, is very active and tends to have a highly energetic and hot nature. This characteristic can become excessive and can, actually, transfer heat to the liver. This is known as Liver Fire in TCM. This is characterized by irritability, insomnia, red or flushed face, rapid pulse, mental restlessness, hypertension, and headaches.

The gallbladder functions to process fats and oils in our diet. When it is overloaded with excessive amounts of these food types, gallstones develop. If this goes on long enough it may impede the ability of the gallbladder to continue its functions and become inflamed, resulting in having it removed surgically. If the gallbladder is removed it can drastically affect the liver. This is because the liver now has to function in a way it was not designed to. This will result in a pattern in TCM known as liver-damp heat. This disease pattern is characterized by jaundice, yellowing of the sclera, poor or low appetite, bitter taste in the mouth, abdominal distention, elevated cholesterol, yellow vaginal discharge with foul odor, or testicular pain and swelling in males. 

The Pericardium (PC) is connected to the Liver (LV), Gallbladder (GB), Stomach (ST), Kidneys (KI), and the Psycho-Emotional, Lymphatic, and Endocrine systems. Notice that the arrows depict a connection in both directions. This means pathology in any of these connected organs can affect the pericardium function of protecting the heart. The yellow organs belong to the Earth element, blue organs to the Water element, and green organs and systems to the Wood element.

Of the organ connections to the Pericardium the Stomach and Gallbladder are yang organs and the Kidneys and Liver are yin organs. Yang organs tend to be highly energetic and prone to inflammation. When this occurs with either the stomach or gallbladder, heat is transferred to the pericardium resulting in cardiovascular problems, anxiety, insomnia, and headaches, to name a few.

Small intestine inflammation oftentimes causes heart fire in Chinese medicine. Both small intestine inflammation and heart fire can weaken the kidney yin. Some common conditions are chronic hearing problems, chronic low back pain, chronic nephritis, diabetes mellitus, and essential hypertension. 

The Lymphatic, Endocrine and Psycho-Emotional characteristics of our body belong to the Wood element. Each element has particular properties that define its pathological influence. The pathology associated with the Wood element is Wind. Wind moves things. When Wind is not controlled it can combine with the other elemental pathologies and move them through the meridian system, organs, and tissues. Excessive Wind results from Yin Deficiency or internal heat and inflammation and causes extreme irritability, anxiety, and stress. Deficient Wind results from Qi Deficiency or Qi Stagnation and causes depression, lymphatic swelling, and GI tract disorders, to name a few.

As was mentioned in Part 1 of the Yang Wood Dragon, the Kidneys are connected to the Pericardium and function to provide energy for its function of protecting the heart and aiding in blood circulation. Psycho-emotional imbalances, such as stress or anxiety, can often affect the Kidney Yang, crashing the adrenal glands, and leading to a major cause of fatigue.

Conclusion

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the liver and pericardium are two important organs with distinct functions, yet they are closely interconnected. 

Relationship between Liver and Pericardium:

The liver is responsible for the smooth flow of Qi (vital energy) and blood in the body. It is associated with the Wood element.

The pericardium, also known as the Heart Protector, is responsible for protecting the heart and managing the circulation of blood and Qi. It is associated with the Wood element per Dr. Richard Tan.

The liver and pericardium work together to ensure the harmonious flow of Qi and blood, playing a crucial role in emotional well-being and cardiovascular health.

Disorders Resulting from Weakness, Deficiency, and Excess Patterns:

Liver Qi Stagnation (Excess): emotional imbalances, irritability, and menstrual disorders.

Liver Blood Deficiency (Deficiency): blurred vision, dizziness, and muscle spasms.

Pericardium Heat (Excess): emotional disturbances, anxiety, and insomnia.

Pericardium Deficiency (Deficiency): palpitations, poor memory, and mental fatigue.

Patterns of Disharmony:

Liver Qi Stagnation and Heat in the Pericardium: Emotional stress and pent-up feelings causing both liver and pericardium disharmony.

Liver Blood Deficiency and Cold in the Pericardium: Weakness in nourishing the blood and protecting the heart.

Balancing the liver and pericardium through acupuncture, herbal medicine, and lifestyle adjustments is crucial in TCM to address these patterns of disharmony and promote overall health and well-being. 

In Parts 1 and 2 of the discussion of the Yang Wood Dragon, we've looked at problems with two of the yin stages. In Part 3 of our discussion of the Yang Wood Dragon year, we will begin looking at the two yang stages of disharmony.

Schedule an herbal appointment

Schedule an herbal refill

Clinic hours: Tue - Fri 8:00 - 12:00, 1:30 - 6:30

Closed: Sat, Sun, Mon

Meridian Harmonics Acupuncture and Herbal Compounding Pharmacy

www.mhaom.com