Liver tongue

A so-called congested tongue or liver tongue (R. Pannhorst et al., 1957) is voluminous due to the accumulation of fluid and displays tooth marks at the edges. It often has a deep median vertical groove and several small furrows or fissures. Corresponding to its occurrence with (or due to) portal hypertension, it is bluish purple in colour and its undersurface displays greatly distended veins. (15)... 

Heparin Liver, tongues Blood anticlotting agent... 

Guinea pig, neonate— adult 241 Am citrate aqueous solution, single dose applied to tongue, 0.6-0.9 pig/kg % 1.1 0.55 0.19 0.17 0.06 0.03 0.02 0.005 Age 0.5 d 1 d 5 d 10 d 15 d 20 d 30 d adult Absorption estimate based on comparisons with liver and carcass 241 Am after an intraperitoneal dose (neonates) or intravenous dose (adults), with adjustment for excretion Bomford and Harrison 1986... 

Most tissues have well-defined patterns of esterase activity. Thus, the ESI synthesized in mouse liver constitutes the major esterase activity in murine plasma. It has been postulated that the ES2 present in the lymph plays an essential role in fat resorption [92], Four esterases designated ES5, SEI, SEII, and SEIII are restricted to serum and have not been identified in other tissues. The content of ES6 is highest in organs with active fat metabolism, but is absent in serum and erythrocytes. ES7 is present in erythrocytes, lung, tongue, testis, and most other tissues but not in plasma and brain. 

In foods vitamin B2 occurs free or combined both as FAD and FMN and complexed with proteins. Riboflavin is widely distributed in foodstnffs, but there are very few rich sources. Only yeast and liver contain more than 2mg/100g. Other good sources are milk, the white of eggs, fish roe, kidney, and leafy vegetables. Since riboflavin is continuously excreted in the urine, deficiency is qnite common when dietary intake is insufficient. The symptoms of deficiency are cracked and red lips, inflammation of the lining of the month and tongue, mouth ulcers, cracks at the comer of the mouth, and sore throat. Overdose of oral intake present low toxicity, probably explained by the limited capacity of the intestinal absorption mechanism [417]. 

This formula can cool the Liver and calm the wind, nourish the Yin and relax the tendons. It is used when heat affects the Liver and generates wind. The manifestations are high fever, restlessness and irritability, convulsions, impairment of consciousness, a deep red tongue with a dry brown coating, and a wiry and rapid pulse. 

The signs of the tongue and pulse indicate excess heat and damp-heat in the Liver. 

This formula can drain the Liver-fire, relieve toxicity, spread the Liver-Qi and strengthen the Spleen. It treats heat in the Liver and Gall Bladder meridians, which manifests as severe headache, flushed cheeks, foul breath, tinnitus, reduced hearing ability, irritability, insomnia, cough with sticky, thick sputum, dark urine, a red tongue and a wiry, rapid pulse. 

Herbs that tonify the blood form the main part of this formula, indicating the close relationship between the Yin and blood of the Liver. This also suggests that this formula is particularly suitable to be applied at the initial and second stages of Liver-Yin deficiency, which manifest as dizziness, blurred vision or decreased vision, numbness and tingling of the limbs, and cramp of the muscles. A red, dry tongue and a wiry, thready pulse are often observed in this condition. 

This is a formula devised for treating Liver-Yin deficiency with empty-heat and stagnation of the Liver-Qi. The symptoms are dizziness, tinnitus, hot flushes, irritability, palpitations and irregular menstruation. The tongue is red without coating and the pulse is thready, wiry and rapid. These symptoms indicate that the Yin of the Liver is seriously consumed, and is no longer able to hold the Yang. Moreover, the Kidney-Yin is also injured at the time of Liver-Yin deficiency. 

This formula can clear heat, transform dampness and reduce jaundice. It is used to treat damp-heat in the Spleen, Stomach, Liver and Gall Bladder which obstructs bile secretion. The manifestations are jaundice with a fresh tangerine color, slight abdominal distension, thirst and difficult urination, a yellow, sticky tongue coating and a deep, rapid pulse. 

Stagnation of the Liver-Qi shows in a normal or slightly pale tongue with a white coating and a wiry pulse. 

Chuan Lian Zi is very bitter and cold. It can intensively drain the Liver-fire and direct the Liver-Qi downwards. It is selected in formulas for treating syndromes where Liver-fire flares up and Liver-Qi movement is disturbed. The disorder is manifested as irritability, distension in the hypochondria, insomnia, quick temper, red eyes, headache, red tongue with a yellow coating and a forceful, wiry and rapid pulse. Because Chuan Lian Zi is very bitter and cold, it easily injures the Stomach. This herb should not be used for a long period of time or in large dosage, because it is a toxic herb. Overdose may cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dyspnea and arrhythmia. 

Zhi Zi is bitter and cold, and enters the San Jiao meridian. It can clear the heat and reduce the excess fire from the Heart, Liver and Bladder by increasing urination. In formulas that regulate Liver-Qi, this herb can be used in cases of Liver-heat or liver-fire presentation. A red tongue with a yellow coating and a wiry pulse suggest the existence of this disorder. 

This formula can spread the Liver-Qi and harmonize the blood. It is used for an acute and excess condition of stagnation of Liver-Qi. Patients suffer from hypochondriac pain, depression, irritability, fullness in the chest and distension in the abdomen. In female patients, dysmenorrhea and premenstrual tension syndrome may also exist. Patients often have a white tongue coating and a wiry pulse. 

This formula is able to promote the movement of Liver-Qi, scatter cold in the Lower-Jiao and alleviate pain. It is used to treat syndromes where the cold stays in the Liver meridian and blocks the Qi movement in the Lower-Jiao. The manifestations are cramping pain in the lower, lateral sides of the abdomen, which may radiate to the testicles. In female patients, there may be dysmenorrhea. Patients often have a pale tongue with a white coating and a wiry, deep and slow pulse. 

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