The Gallbladder
1. Storing and Excreting the Bile and Aiding Digestion
The bile forms in the liver, and is secreted by the liver. It then flows into the gallbladder for storage. The bile is also called the essential juice, and the gallbladder is therefore known as "the house containing the essential juice. " The bile is a yellow-green color,and is bitter in taste. It plays an important role in promoting digestion. After food intake, the bile is pumped into the intestinal tract by the conducting and dispersing function of the liver, so as to maintain normal digestive functions of the spleen and stomach. Owing to the close relationship between the liver and gallbladder, normal functioning of the liver ensures proper bile formation and unobstructed excretion, so that normal digestive functioning is maintained.
If the liver function is abnormal, the formation and excretion of bile will be affected,and the digestive function impaired. For example, rushing up of gallbladder-qi may lead to adverse rising of the gallbladder-juice, resulting in a bitter taste in the mouth; if the bile fails to be excreted, it is unable to flow into the intestinal tract smoothly, and will result in dyspeptic anorexia, abdominal distension, and loose stools etc. When the gallbladder disease affects the stomach, there will be nausea, and vomiting. If the conducting and dispersing function of the liver and gallbladder is impaired, the bile will not circulate along its normal route, but will spread to the exterior of the body, resulting in jaundice.Retention of the bile may be transformed into heat, and if the accumulation of damp-heat
further burns the bile, the bile-stones may result.
2. Dominating Decision-Making and Relating with Emotions
Chapter 8 in the Plain Questions states: "The gallbladder is an 'upright official'who is in charge of decision-making. " This says that the gallbladder is involved with the property of decision-making. For example, deficiency of the gallbladder may lead to a scared or frightened state, insomnia, and dream- disturbed sleep. This function of the gallbladder is also related to the liver, and the two cooperate to regulate emotional activities. Only when they work in coordination can mental and emotional activities, such as careful thinking, accurate judgment, firm determination, etc. be normally maintained. If the gallbladder is diseased, there may be an abnormality of emotional activities. Thus many disorders involving emotional factors are often treated by differentiating syndromes of the liver and gallbladder in clinical practice.
Although the gallbladder is among the six fu-viscera, it simply stores the essential juice, and is called the clean-organ. It does not receive any food, drink, or waste. This makes it different from the other fu-viscera, and is the reason why it falls under the clas sification of the extraordinary organs.
