The Huangdi Neijing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner Canon) is divided into two parts: Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) and Su Wen (Simple Questions). It is said to have originated from the Yellow Emperor, passed down orally through generations, and later supplemented and developed by physicians and medical theorists, culminating in a written text during the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. It elucidates the mechanisms and pathology of diseases through dialogues and questions between the Yellow Emperor, Qi Bo, and Lei Gong, advocating for the treatment of diseases before they manifest and emphasizing health preservation, longevity, and vitality.It is one of the four classic texts of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) (Huangdi Neijing, Nanjing, Shanghan Zabing Lun, Shennong Bencao Jing), and is the earliest existing medical classic in China’s medical treasury. Theoretically, it establishes the principles of TCM such as the Yin-Yang and Five Elements Theory, Pulse Diagnosis, and Zangxiang Theory. It is indeed the backbone of TCM!SummaryFor any issues related to tendons, treat the liver. For any issues related to bones, treat the kidneys. For any issues related to muscles, treat the spleen and stomach. For any issues related to blood vessels, treat the heart. For any issues related to skin and hair, treat the lungs.
Five Organs1. Heart: The heart is the residence of the spirit, the master of blood, and the root of the pulse. It belongs to the fire element in the Five Elements; physiological functions include: ① governing blood vessels; ② governing consciousness; the heart opens to the tongue, connects with the pulse, manifests on the face, corresponds to joy in emotions, and sweat in fluids. The heart is interrelated with the small intestine.2. Lungs: The lungs are the place of the corporeal soul and the master of qi, belonging to the metal element; physiological functions include: ① governing qi and respiration; ② regulating the dispersal and descending of qi; ③ managing the water pathways; ④ controlling the hundred vessels and treating stagnation; assisting the heart in regulating qi and blood circulation; the lungs connect to the throat, correspond to the skin, manifest in hair, open to the nose, correspond to worry in emotions, and mucus in fluids. The lungs are interrelated with the large intestine.3. Spleen: The spleen is the source of qi and blood transformation, the foundation of postnatal life, and stores intention, belonging to the earth element. Physiological functions include: ① governing transportation and transformation; ② ascending clear qi; ③ controlling blood; it opens to the mouth, connects with the flesh, governs the limbs, manifests in the lips, corresponds to thought in emotions, and saliva in fluids; the spleen is interrelated with the stomach.4. Liver: The liver is the place of the ethereal soul, the storehouse of blood, and the root of tendons, belonging to the wood element, and governs upward movement. Physiological functions include: ① governing the smooth flow of qi; ② storing blood; it opens to the eyes, connects with the tendons, manifests in the nails, corresponds to anger in emotions, and tears in fluids; the liver is interrelated with the gallbladder.5. Kidneys: The kidneys are the foundation of pre-natal essence, store will, and the waist is the organ of the kidneys, belonging to the water element; physiological functions include: ① storing essence, governing growth, development, and reproduction; ② governing water; ③ governing the intake of qi; they correspond to the bones, govern bone marrow, manifest in hair, open to the ears and the two yin (anus and perineum), correspond to fear in emotions, and saliva in fluids; the kidneys are interrelated with the bladder.Six Bowels1. Gallbladder: Physiological function: stores and excretes bile, governs decision-making.2. Stomach: Physiological function: receives and digests food, the stomach descends to harmonize.3. Small Intestine: Physiological function: governs the reception and transformation of substances, separates the clear from the turbid, “the small intestine governs fluids”.4. Large Intestine: Physiological function: transforms and excretes waste, the large intestine governs fluids.5. Bladder: Physiological function: stores and excretes urine, relying on the kidney’s qi transformation function.6. San Jiao (Triple Burner): Physiological function: facilitates the flow of original qi, governs the qi mechanism and transformation, and serves as the pathway for water and fluids.Twelve Meridians FlowIn a day, there are twelve time periods, each corresponding to a meridian, connecting end to end like a loop. Mastering your body means mastering the secrets of longevity and health!Zi Hour: 23:00–1:00 Gallbladder Meridian: Deep sleep! The gallbladder needs metabolism; if a person sleeps during this time, the gallbladder can complete its metabolism. At this time, the heart’s function is weakest; if there are heart patients, prepare a heart-saving pill.Chou Hour: 1:00–3:00 Liver Meridian: Deep sleep! This is the best time for liver repair; waste blood needs to be eliminated, and fresh blood needs to be produced, completed during this time. One must enter deep sleep to provide the liver with sufficient energy. If not asleep, the liver continues to output energy to support thinking and actions, failing to complete metabolism, leading to liver disease.Yin Hour: 3:00–5:00 Corresponding Meridian: Lung Meridian: The transformation of yin and yang begins at this moment, with the body entering a phase of yang flourishing and yin declining. The lung meridian is strongest at this time. The liver provides blood to the lungs, which then distributes it throughout the body. At this moment, the body requires a large amount of oxygen. Patients with lung diseases or asthma should take medication during this time for better effects than during the day.Mao Hour: 5:00–7:00 Large Intestine Meridian: Bowel movement! Drink a cup of warm water before defecation. The large intestine meridian is active at this time, absorbing moisture and nutrients from food and expelling waste.Chen Hour: 7:00–9:00 Stomach Meridian: Don’t forget breakfast! The stomach continuously secretes gastric acid at this time; if one goes too long without eating, there is a risk of gastric ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, and cholecystitis!Si Hour: 9:00–11:00 Spleen Meridian: Drink water! (Drink more water at this time) The spleen is the coordinator of digestion, absorption, and excretion. The spleen is the foundation of postnatal life. To nourish the spleen: Job’s Tears (Yi Yi Ren), Red Beans (Hong Dou), and Chinese Yam (Shan Yao) porridge. Throughout the day, drink about 2000ml of water, equivalent to about 5 bottles of mineral water; keep drinking and avoid any beverages.Wu Hour: 11:00–13:00 Heart Meridian: Take a short rest. The heart drives blood circulation, nourishes the spirit, qi, and tendons. A short nap is greatly beneficial for heart health, providing energy for the afternoon and evening. *Napping should not exceed 30 minutes, as it may disrupt sleep and lead to insomnia at night.Wei Hour: 13:00–15:00 Small Intestine Meridian: The small intestine adjusts the nutrition of the body during this time. If there is heat in the small intestine, the body will experience belching and gas. Therefore, lunch should be eaten before 1:00 PM to ensure nutrients are absorbed into the body.Shen Hour: 15:00–17:00 Bladder Meridian: Urination! The bladder expels fluids from the body. If there is heat in the bladder, it can cause bladder cough, leading to incontinence. The bladder is most active at this time, so it is advisable to drink more water. Do not hold urine at this time, as it can lead to “urinary retention”.You Hour: 17:00–19:00 Kidney Meridian: The kidneys are the essence of reproduction and the essence of the five organs and six bowels. The kidneys are the root of pre-natal essence. After the Shen hour, the body expels fire and detoxifies, and the kidneys enter the time for storing essence. This is a crucial time for men. For those with kidney function issues, massaging the kidney meridian at this time is most effective.Xu Hour: 19:00–21:00 Pericardium Meridian: At this time, create conditions for peaceful sleep. Maintain a calm mindset.Hai Hour: 21:00–23:00 San Jiao Meridian: Time to sleep! This is when the body’s largest organ, the San Jiao, operates, governing all qi and facilitating the flow of water. During the Hai hour, the San Jiao connects with all meridians. It is a time for rest and rejuvenation.Warm Reminder:This platform shares health-related graphic information for reference and learning purposes only and is not intended as a basis for medical diagnosis. If needed, please consult a physician for guidance.
