8. The Liver and the Spleen
The relationship between the liver and spleen is mainly reflected in the digestion of diet and the formation and storage of the blood.

1) Digestion
The normal digestive process of the body is performed by a number of viscera. Among them, the coordination of the liver and spleen plays a particularly important role.

The normal function of the spleen and stomach in ascending and descending is dependent the regulation of the liver in dominating the free-flowing of qi. When the liver performs this function normally, the spleen and stomach will be coordinated to ensure normal digestion, absorption, and distribution of food. In addition, the spleen is the acquired foundation and the source of the formation of essential substances. When the spleen functions well in transporting and transforming drink and food, the essential substance of drink and food is carried continuously to the liver. Thus, the liver is nourished and functions well in dominating the conducting and dispersing functions.

Dysfunction of the liver and spleen may not only affect normal digestion, but also influence each other, and then lead to disturbances of the digestive system. For example, the liver fails to perform its function in dominating the conducting and dispersing functions, the splenic function will be affected, causing a fullness sensation in the chest, an hypochondria, poor appetite, abdominal distension after eating, belching and discomfort abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Such a condition is termed "disharmony between the live and spleen." In addition, if the spleen fails to transport and transform water-dampness the heat engendered by dampness accumulates, and damp-heat fumes and steams the live and the gallbladder, leading to a failure of the functions of conducting and dispersing; as a result, the bile overflows to the skin, and jaundices occur. This condition is known as "the jammed earth counter-restraining the wood."

2) The Formation, Storage, and Circulation of the Blood
The liver is capable of retaining blood and regulating the amount of blood in the body, while the spleen commands the blood and is the source for growth and transformation of qi and blood. When spleen-qi is vigorous, it has a rich source for blood production, the liver has its object of storage, and liver-blood will be abundant. The liver and spleen work in coordination to maintain the normal circulation of blood to satisfy the needs of the body. Disorders of the liver and spleen may lead to the syndrome of bleeding and deficiency of blood. For example, if the spleen fails to perform its function of transporting, and the source for growth and transformation of the qi and blood is insufficient or if the spleen fails to command the blood, there will be a deficiency of liver-blood producing symptoms such as bleeding, poor appetite, emaciation, blurred vision, and oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea.