The Gallbladder

The gallbladder is attached to the liver with which it is externally - internally related. Its main function is to store bile and continuously excrete it to the intestines to aid digestion. When the function of the gallbladder is normal, its qi descends. ' Since the bile is bitter in taste and yellow in color, upward perversion of gallbladder qi may give rise to a bitter taste in the mouth, vomiting of bitter fluid, and failure to aid the stomach and spleen in digestion, resulting in abdominal distention and loose stools. Since this function of the gallbladder is closely related to the liver ' s function of maintaining the free flow of qi, it is said that the liver and gallbladder together have the function of maintaining the free flow of qi. Similarly, the relation of the hver to emotional changes is shared by the gallbladder, and this is often taken into account in the clinic when treating symptoms such as fear and palpitations, insomnia and dream - disturbed sleep.

Although the gallbladder - is one of the six fu organs, unlike the other five it stores bile and does not receive water or food. For this reason it is also classified as one of the " extraordinary fu. "