The liver stands at the center of the body. The Donguibogam viewed the liver as an organ that dredges and harmonizes so that qi can flow without obstruction. Just as living things thrive along a freely flowing river, the circulation of qi and blood must be regulated smoothly by the liver for a person to remain healthy. However, imbalances can occur. Certain vulnerabilities arise more easily depending on one's innate constitution, particularly in the Taeeumin constitution, which is common.
In the chapter on phlegm-fluid in the Donguibogam Japbyeong-pyeon (Chapter of Miscellaneous Diseases), a passage notes that people who are corpulent and have abundant flesh tend to accumulate a great deal of phlegm-fluid and dampness.
The term phlegm-fluid here refers not simply to respiratory sputum, but broadly to turbid, viscous waste products that fail to circulate properly and stagnate within the body. Just as accumulated debris and silt impede the flow of a river, this phlegm-fluid and dampness hinder the circulation of qi and blood, particularly placing a heavy load on liver function.
People with a Taeeumin constitution naturally have relatively strong liver function, but their lung and spleen functions are comparatively weaker, meaning their ability to eliminate wastes and regulate fluids tends to be lower. When they consume greasy foods or sweets, dampness-phlegm readily accumulates and weighs on the liver. This dampness-phlegm impairs the liver's dispersing and regulating roles, worsening fatigue, causing a vague sense of heaviness and puffiness in the body, and in severe cases leading to flank discomfort or indigestion. In this state, a liver that should remain clear becomes like a muddy pool. The Donguibogam warns that accumulated dampness-phlegm eventually becomes the source of various illnesses. For a Taeeumin individual, managing this dampness-phlegm is essential to maintaining clear, smooth liver function.
