LIVER & GALLBLADDER
Abstract The purpose of this article is to demonstrate Liver/ Gallbladder zangfu disharmony as a possible aetiological manifestation of erectile dysfunction. This is done by the examination of ancient Chinese medical theory in conjunction with the latest research from China. One of the goals of this article is to dislodge the fixed notion that erectile dysfunction is synonymous with Kidney yang deficiency; it is just one of many pattern differentials that must be considered. The Liver/Gall Bladder organ pair was selected, as there are several erectile dysfunctioncausing disorders that affect these zangfu. Part One of this article examines the physiology and pathology of the erection process from both the biomedical and Chinese medicine (CM) perspectives. The Chinese medicine pattern differentiation examines all of the various patterns associated with erectile dysfunction. Part Two of this article (to be published in JCM 69) will focus on treatment, including acupuncture, diete...