Do You Know What Time It Is?

How to Be in Tune with Your Body Clock with Oriental Medicine.

Recently, I shared a post on the importance of maintaining your body clock in order to stay healthy. Three scientists were recently awarded a Nobel Prize in medicine. One stated, “The clock regulates critical functions such as behavior, hormone levels, sleep, body temperature and metabolism.”

In today’s blog, I will explain how our body is divided into different timelines throughout the day in Oriental Medicine and how it can affect your health if disrupted. It is very informative and interesting so please check it out.

1. Arm Tai Yin (Lung Meridian – 3 AM to 5 AM)

Lung rules and regulates Qi (Energy) throughout the body, controls breathing, and affects the movement of water channels. Disorders of the lung channel can include dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest discomfort with full sensation, coughing, and wheezing. It can also manifest physically with pain along the meridian line (shoulder, back, or along inner portion of arm).

How Does this Apply to You?

Keep your room hydrated and free of dust which will enhance your breathing at night.

2. Arm Yang Ming (Large Intestine Meridian – 5 AM to 7 AM) 

Disharmony in the Large Intestine Meridian can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, intestinal cramping, diarrhea, and constipation. As the meridian passes through the nasal area, it can also affect your nose and mouth such and cause toothache, runny nose, and nosebleed.

How Does this Apply to You?

It is the best time for bowel movement to remove toxins from the previous day and cleansing your body for daily nutrition.

3. Leg Yang Ming (Stomach Meridian – 7 AM to 9 AM)

Stomach regulates our digestion and starts the process of separating nutrient from waste. Disorders of the stomach meridian can manifest as indigestion, nausea, distension, and pain in the chest or knee as the meridian passes through these areas.

How Does this Apply to You?

The stomach’s energies are highest at 7 AM to 9 AM so make sure to eat your most important meal of the day during this time to optimize your health.

4. Leg Tai Yin (Spleen Meridian – 9 AM to 11 AM)

The Spleen is responsible for the transformation and transportation of substances in our body such as nutrients and blood. It is essential in maintaining the digestive functions of the body and transforming food into Qi and blood. Disharmony of the spleen meridian can lead to abdominal distension, loose stool, and heavy sensation in the body.

How Does this Apply to You?

The best time to wake up is between 7 AM to 8 AM in order to partake in proper nutrition to start the day and energize our body. Due to busy work hours and schedules, we often misuse this time. Caffeine intake is prevalent because we are substituting proper diet for a quick burst of energy. It is better to wait until after 11 AM to drink caffeine.

5. Arm Shao Yin (Heart Meridian – 11 AM to 1 PM)

Heart rules the blood and the circulation. Disharmony of heart meridian can lead to emotion based symptoms, feeling thirsty, and pain in the inner forearm or heat in the palm.

How Does this Apply to You?

The best time to accomplish tasks or physical labor is from 11 AM to 3 PM.

6. Arm Tai Yang (Small Intestine Meridian – 1 PM to 3 PM)

The Small Intestine Meridian is the Yang partner to the Heart meridian. It adjuncts the function of your heart in circulation and maintaining proper functions of the heart. Disharmony of the small intestine can manifest itself neck stiffness, sore throat, hearing problems, or pain along the shoulder, upper arm, and or elbow.

7. Leg Tai Yang (Urinary Bladder Meridian – 3 PM to 5 PM)

The Urinary Bladder Meridian is located in the most Exterior; thus, it is easily influenced by external factors such as cold, wind, heat, dampness, and dryness in the air. Disharmony of the Urinary Bladder Channel can cause symptoms such as difficulty urinating, incontinence, painful eyes, and pain in the neck, lower back, and/or buttock regions.

How Does this Apply to You?

During this time, it is best time for relaxation after long hours of work. Use even 5-10 minutes of your time to mediate and practice deep, slow, breathing exercises.

8. Leg Shao Yin (Kidney Meridian – 5 PM to 7 PM)

The main function of Kidney Meridian is to grasp “Qi.” This function has a direct relationship with your lung meridian which allows your breath (Qi) to come all the way down to your core. Disruption of grasping Qi can result in wheezing and coughing. Kidney meridian also houses your yin, yang, fire and water. Disharmony results in edema and constipation.

How Does this Apply to You?

Foods dark in color or even black are good for your kidneys.  Foods such as black beans, black sesame seeds, and black walnuts are beneficial.

9. Arm Jue Yin (Pericardium – 7 PM to 9 PM)

Disharmony of Pericardium Meridian is related to the Heart Meridian and blood function. It manifests as heart pain, chest discomfort, palpitations, and mental dysfunctions such as mania.

10. Arm Shao Yang (San Jiao Meridian – 9 PM to 11 PM)

Disharmony of San Jiao or Triple Burner meridian includes abdominal distension, edema, difficulty in urination, and ringing in the ear.

11. Leg Shao Yang (Gall Bladder Meridian – 11 PM to 1 AM)

In Oriental Medicine, the Gallbladder Meridian is closely related to the Liver Meridian. Disharmony of the Gallbladder Meridian can manifest as bitter taste in mouth, dizziness, and pain along the lateral (side) of your lower limbs.

12. Leg Jue Yin (Liver Meridian – 1 AM to 3 AM)

Disharmony of the Liver Meridian can lead to groin pain, chest fullness, irritability, and swelling/pain of the lower abdomen which can lead to a hernia.

How Does this Apply to You?

The Liver Meridian is susceptible to an excess of energy which can cause irritation, anger, or bursts of emotion. Therefore, it is important to avoid fatty food or excessive alcohol use during evenings to allow for proper resting of your liver meridian.

In conclusion, being aware of our body’s optimal time clock is key in maintaining good health. Allowing the body to function properly and allowing the Qi (energy) to flow smoothly from one meridian to another is crucial. Please feel free to contact us at anytime to ask questions or share any concerns you may have. Thank you for taking the time to read through our blog.

Sincerely,

Dr. Andrew Lee, L.Ac. DPT