The Gall Bladder According To Chinese Medicine

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED HERE IS NOT A REPLACEMENT FOR A DOCTOR. YOU SHOULDN’T USE IT FOR THE PURPOSE OF SELF-DIAGNOSING OR SELF-MEDICATING BUT RATHER SO YOU CAN HAVE A MORE INFORMED DISCUSSION WITH A PROFESSIONAL TCM PRACTITIONER OR YOUR FAMILY GP.

THE GALL BLADDER ACCORDING TO CHINESE MEDICINE

CHINESE: 胆

PINYIN: Dan

SUMMARY

The Gallbladder's main function is to store Bile produced by the Liver and excrete it downwards to the Small Intestine to digest food. From this perspective, the Gallbladder's function is the same as in Western Medicine theory. Physiologically speaking, the Gallbladder rules decisions-making.

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GALLBLADDER

The Gallbladder is a Yang organ and the Liver is its Yin organ partner. The Gallbladder stores and excretes bile, governs decision making and planning, controls the sinews and effects dreams.
On a deeper emotional level, the Gallbladder is responsible for our passion for life, inspiration, action and assertiveness. When we are having problems being assertive, making decisions or following through, are lacking passion, feeling timid or uninspired, we are experiencing an imbalance of the Gallbladder.

CLASSIFICATION

THE TCM UTERUS FUNCTIONS

MAIN SYMPTOMS

If the gallbladder is impaired, it can adversely affect digestion and cause problems like vomiting, regurgitation, belching and hiccups, which are all symptoms of rebellious Stomach Qi.

PATTERNS OF DISHARMONY

1. GALLBLADDER DEFICIENCY

The Gallbladder is the Yang aspect of the Liver so this pattern goes together with Liver Qi Deficiency (Qi is Yang in nature). Although the pattern of Liver-Qi Deficiency is not often mentioned, it does exist, and its clinical manifestations include some Liver-Blood Deficiency symptoms such as dizziness and blurred vision (which are also present in the pattern of Gallbladder Deficiency). Essentially, the pattern of Gallbladder Deficiency occurs together with that of Liver-Qi Deficiency, which itself gives rise to Liver Blood Deficiency. Normally, Liver-Blood Deficiency gives rise to anxiety and insomnia. However, when it is combined with Liver-Qi and Gallbladder Deficiency, it gives rise to fear, lack of courage, indecision and often depression.

2. DAMPNESS IN THE GALLBLADDER

Dampness in the Gallbladder is typically paired with an underlying Spleen Qi Deficiency which makes the Spleen unable to transform Fluids. As such the whole Middle Burner is typically affected, hence the symptoms of nausea and vomiting: the obstruction caused by Dampness prevent Stomach Qi from descending and it therefore rebels upwards. Dampness also interferes with the smooth flow of Liver Qi, which stagnates and may cause hypochondrial distension and pain. The sticky taste in the mouth and turbid urine are also classic signs of Dampness, and so is the dull headache which tends to occur when Dampness lodges in the head. The feeling of fullness in the hypochondrium and a general feeling of heaviness are much more specific to dampness in the Gallbladder.

3. Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder

Dampness in the Gallbladder is typically paired with an underlying Spleen Qi Deficiency which makes the Spleen unable to transform Fluids. As such the whole Middle Burner is typically affected, hence the symptoms of nausea and vomiting: the obstruction caused by Dampness prevent Stomach Qi from descending and it therefore rebels upwards. Dampness also interferes with the smooth flow of Liver Qi, which stagnates and may cause hypochondrial distension and pain. The sticky taste in the mouth and turbid urine are also classic signs of Dampness. The feeling of fullness in the hypochondrium and a general feeling of heaviness are much more specific to dampness in the Gallbladder. As far as Heat is concerned it leads to symptoms such as bitter taste in the mouth, fever, dark urine and thirst. In Western Medicine this pattern sometimes leads to cholelithiasis (stones in the gallbladder). Stones are an extreme form of Dampness and Phlegm that form over a long period of time under the action of Heat, which dries and solidifies Dampness.

4. Gallbladder Heat

This pattern is almost the same as the Lesser Yang pattern within the Six Stages theory. It is also one of the five patterns of the Qi level, the second level of the Four Levels theory. The main difference between this pattern and the Lesser Yang pattern is that it is characterized by more Heat and also by some Dampness (hence the sticky tongue coating). A key characteristic is that the pathogenic factor alternates between the Exterior (causing a feeling of cold or an aversion to cold) and the Interior (causing feeling of heat or a fever). Other symptoms typical of the Gallbladder channel are: bitter taste, dry throat and hypochondrial fullness and distension

5. Heat in Gallbladder

Heat in Gall Bladder gives rise to such diverse symptoms as mild chills alternating with pronounced fever, bitter taste in the mouth, stifling sensation in the chest and spitting up bitter or sour fluids (as well as four others). In the case of Heat in Gall Bladder patients tend to exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue with thick coating, yellow coating. Heat in Gall Bladder is thought to sometimes induce conditions such as hypertension, cholecystitis or pelvic inflammatory disease.