The Relationship Between the Liver and Gallbladder
The phrase “the liver and gallbladder illuminate each other” is often used to describe a close and supportive relationship between two individuals. Whenever this term is mentioned, one cannot help but admire the wisdom of the ancients. From a medical perspective, the liver (Gan) and gallbladder (Dan) are indeed a pair of organs that share a common fate.
According to TCM theory, the liver and gallbladder are interrelated, with a very close physiological relationship. TCM refers to the “five organs and six bowels,” where the liver belongs to the category of the “five organs,” and its corresponding “bowl” is the gallbladder.
The liver is located in the right hypochondrium, and the gallbladder is attached between the lobes of the liver. Both the liver and gallbladder belong to the wood element in the five elements theory, and their meridians are interconnected, forming a physiological relationship that primarily manifests in digestive functions and emotional activities.
The liver regulates certain emotional activities, stores blood, and adjusts blood volume, assisting the spleen and stomach in digesting food. The liver opens to the eyes, and liver diseases often lead to various eye conditions.
The gallbladder, attached to the liver, stores bile that is secreted by the liver, “borrowing the excess energy of the liver, overflowing into the gallbladder, and accumulating therein.”
The liver and gallbladder are interrelated; the normal function of the liver’s dispersing and draining ability ensures the proper storage and excretion of bile. When bile is smoothly excreted, the liver can perform its dispersing function. When diseases affect the liver and gallbladder, they influence each other, hence the treatment of both organs simultaneously.
The normal functioning of bile relies on the liver’s dispersing ability; conversely, poor bile excretion can also affect the liver.
Additionally, the close relationship between the liver and gallbladder is also reflected in emotional aspects. For example, anger harms the liver and negatively impacts the gallbladder. Only when the liver and gallbladder coordinate can our “gallbladder color” be “strong.”
If we say that in a healthy state, the relationship between the liver and gallbladder is characterized by “one honors, all honor,” then in a diseased state, this relationship manifests as “one suffers, all suffer.” Therefore, in clinical practice, there is also the saying of “liver and gallbladder sharing the same disease.”
On one hand, bacteria and viruses entering the liver, if not eliminated on-site, may invade the gallbladder. This is why viral hepatitis often leads to viral cholecystitis. The occurrence of gallstones is related to the accumulation of anger, and if the liver is “injured,” it is inevitable. Other symptoms such as jaundice and bitter mouth are often manifestations of damp-heat in the liver and gallbladder.
Finally, we hope our sharing can be of help to you!
