Gallbladder

Abbreviation: GB. The bowel that stands in exterior-interior relationship with the liver. The gallbladder’s main function is to secrete bile, which is formed from an excess of liver qì. The gallbladder is also a curious organ since its bile is considered to be clear fluid rather than waste. A bitter taste in the mouth may indicate gallbladder disease. It is also said that the gallbladder governs decision, which means that the ability to maintain balanced judgment in the face of adversity is attributed to the gallbladder. When gallbladder qì is weak and timid, there are signs such as lack of courage and decision, timidity, doubt and suspicion, and frequent sighing. The gallbladder governs decision can be interpreted in modern terms to mean that certain aspects of the nervous system are traditionally ascribed in Chinese medicine to the gallbladder. More at gallbladder disease.