“木曰曲直”视阈下的肝为“罢极之本”

On liver being “Root of Piji”in terms of “Wood characterized by bending and straightening”

"罢极之本"是对肝生理功能的概括,是"木曰曲直"的反映。罢,松弛之义;极,拘急之义。"罢极之本"同"生之本""气之本""封藏之本""仓廪之本"一样,是对肝相反相成的整体生理功能的概括,即通过肝的调节作用,人体各脏腑组织在气血运行、功能调节等方面,都维持着弛张有度、无太过也无不及的状态,是维持人体正常生命活动的内在机制。

＂Root of Piji＂is the summarization of liver＇s physical functions and the reflection of ＂wood characterized by bending and straightening＂. Pi means relaxation while Ji means contracture. Similar to＂root of life＂,＂root of qi＂,＂dominator of storing essence＂and ＂root of granary＂,＂root of Piji＂summarizes the opposite and supplementary functions of the liver. The viscera and tissues of human body maintain a moderate state in terms of circulation and functions of blood and qi,liver being ＂Root of Piji＂manifests that the liver is the mechanism to maintain vitality of human body.