What organ holds resentment?
Asked by: Abbie Torphy | Last update: February 3, 2026Score: 4.1/5 (72 votes)
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and similar holistic systems, the liver is the primary organ associated with holding resentment, anger, and frustration, as it's responsible for the smooth flow of energy (Qi) in the body; unresolved resentment leads to liver Qi stagnation, causing physical tension, headaches, and irritability. The spleen can also be involved with unresolved resentment, especially when it relates to worry or overthinking, affecting digestion and energy, according to systems like Ayurveda.
Which organ holds resentment?
An imbalanced liver and gallbladder can be caused by longstanding feelings of repressed anger, such as resentment, frustration, and irritability. Also, as the same with other organs, imbalance can be caused by a poor diet, body pollutants such as chemicals, drugs and moulds etc.
What part of the body does resentment affect?
Chronic anger puts you into a fight-or-flight mode, which results in numerous changes in heart rate, blood pressure and immune response. Those changes, then, increase the risk of depression, heart disease and diabetes, among other conditions. Forgiveness, however, calms stress levels, leading to improved health.
Does the liver hold resentment?
Liver. Digestion and the processing of nutrients are primary functions of this vital organ. 5 In TCM, the liver is associated with anger, depression, and the below physical symptoms: Emotions: Anger, resentment, frustration, irritability, bitterness, and "flying off the handle"
What emotion does the Spleen hold?
The Spleen's associated emotion is worry. When there are long periods of being in a worried state, it is said that it damages the Spleen, impairing its function of transforming and transporting.
The 5 Organs and 5 Emotions: What Your Body is Saying
Where is grief stored in the body?
Understanding Grief Trauma and Its Impact on the Body
Trauma can get stored deep in your muscles, in your breath, and even in the way your heart beats. And over time, if that grief isn't released, it can start to affect your body in ways you might not expect.
What emotion do kidneys hold?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the kidneys are strongly linked to the emotion of fear, including shock and fright, and also store the "will" or determination, with chronic fear potentially leading to kidney imbalance and physical symptoms like frequent urination or low back pain. While fear is primary, related feelings like insecurity, anxiety, and even feelings of guilt or shame can also affect the kidneys, which symbolize deep-seated life forces and potential, according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
What emotion gets trapped in the liver?
The classics usually associate anger with the Liver, which is why the Liver is the General, but in fact [the emotions of] the Liver include melancholy, hatred, neuroticism, and all the Seven Emotions 七情.
What does Chinese medicine say about the liver?
From a Chinese medicine perspective the liver's function includes more than the known physical nature of metabolising molecules, and storing and distributing blood. It has a highly important role in our mental, emotional and creative life.
How to tell if your liver is unhappy?
Liver problems
- Yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes, called jaundice. Yellowing of the skin might be harder to see on Black or brown skin.
- Belly pain and swelling.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Itchy skin.
- Dark urine.
- Pale stool.
- Constant tiredness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
What is the root cause of resentment?
The root of "resentment" comes from Latin/French, combining the prefix "re-" (again) with "sentire" (to feel), meaning "to feel again" or "to re-feel" something painful, like a past injury or injustice, repeatedly. It describes the ongoing, intensified experience of being wronged, rather than a momentary anger, highlighting the act of reliving hurt.
Where do men hold their trauma?
This is because trauma is stored in the body in different ways, often settling in specific areas like the back, neck, shoulders, and hips. Emotional pain doesn't just disappear – it finds a home in the muscles, nervous system, and connective tissues, where it continues to manifest physically.
How to release resentment from your body?
Write in a journal, pray or use guided meditation. Or talk with a person you've found to be wise and compassionate, such as a spiritual leader, a mental health provider, or an impartial loved one or friend. Be aware that forgiveness is a process. Even small hurts may need to be revisited and forgiven again and again.
How to clear anger from the liver?
Moving mindfully through yoga, Qigong, dance, tai chi, or simply going for a walk will increase circulation and 'spread the Liver Qi' to avoid energy stagnation. Mindful breathing can also slow us down and reduce angry reactions. After moving, we may find ourselves much less reactive.
Which organ holds jealousy?
Heart: Associated emotions: Distress, jealousy and distrust, fear of judgment, guilt, hatred, excessive attachment, joy and happiness.
What emotion is under resentment?
The primary emotions behind resentment are anger, hurt, and disappointment, often stemming from a sense of injustice, unfair treatment, or unmet expectations, which build up as a slow, bitter feeling because the initial anger isn't expressed or resolved. It's a complex emotion, a mix of these feelings that festers over time, turning into bitterness or a grudge rather than immediate rage.
What heals the liver the fastest?
The best way to reverse the damage is to remove whatever is causing it. For example, if you have fatty liver caused by drinking alcohol, it's important to stop drinking. If it's caused by your diet or being overweight, then it's important to eat healthily and lose weight.
Why do I wake up at 3am every night in my liver?
Waking at 3 a.m. is often linked to liver activity in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), suggesting stress, toxins, rich foods, or alcohol are overloading it; modern views point to blood sugar fluctuations, high cortisol from stress, or digestive strain, all impacting liver function as it detoxifies overnight, so addressing diet, alcohol, stress, and sleep hygiene helps regulate this process.
What energy is held in the liver?
Carbohydrates, such as bread and potatoes, are broken down to glucose and stored mainly in the liver and muscles as glycogen. When energy is required in an emergency the liver rapidly converts its store of glycogen back into glucose ready for use.
How to emotionally heal the liver?
Minding our thoughts and our diets represents the key to a healthy liver. Here are some suggestions for releasing anger and resentment: Physical exercise, such as cardio, running or kickboxing. Shouting in a safe environment, such as a forest or closed room or closed car.
Which organ holds sadness?
Joy - Heart. Worry - Spleen. Sadness/Grief - Lungs. Fear - Kidneys.
How to fix liver qi stagnation?
Liver Qi stagnation treatment in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on smoothing energy flow through acupuncture, herbal medicine (like Xiao Yao San), dietary changes (more greens, sour flavors, less processed foods), and lifestyle adjustments (exercise like Tai Chi, stress reduction, deep breathing) to relieve symptoms like irritability, tension, and digestive issues, with professional guidance recommended for best results.
Where is shame held in the body?
Where is Shame Held in the Body? While many people have a physical response to shame, different people hold shame in different parts of their body. Clients commonly report feeling a pit in their stomach, tension in their shoulders, or discomfort on their skin.
What heals kidneys fast?
To help your kidneys heal fast, focus on hydration with water and herbal teas, eat kidney-friendly foods like berries, leafy greens, and bell peppers, manage salt/protein intake, exercise regularly, avoid smoking/NSAIDs, and consult a doctor for underlying issues, as there's no single "cure," but lifestyle changes significantly support function.
What emotion is the pancreas linked to?
Interestingly, in Eastern medicine the emotions attributed to the pancreas are self-esteem and self-control. When it comes to type 2 diabetes, arguably the two emotions which the individual will be struggling with are both a lack of self-control, resulting in the over-consumption of sugar.