High-definition diagram of the twelve meridians
Understanding the daily circulation and operation of the body’s meridians allows us to grasp every moment of life, starting with breathing. By relying on the meridians, we can comprehend the principles of Tai Chi, respect the regulations of Yin and Yang. The twelve meridians are all connected to the source of life energy, as Qi is the foundation of life and time is its application!
Presenting the twelve time periods and their corresponding human meridian charts, hoping everyone can open the door to health.
1. Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian
Yin time (3 AM to 5 AM) — Lung Meridian is strong. Sleeping well during Yin time, complexion is red and energy is abundant;
“The lungs govern the hundred vessels.” After the liver pushes the blood to renew itself during the Chou time, it provides fresh blood to the lungs, which then distributes it throughout the body. Therefore, in the morning, people have a rosy complexion and abundant energy. During Yin time, those with lung diseases often feel the most intense symptoms, such as severe coughing or asthma that wakes them up.
Excess conditions:Abdominal distension, constipation, prone to hemorrhoids, discomfort or pain in the shoulder and back, toothache, skin abnormalities, and upper abdomen abnormalities.
2. Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian
Yin time (5 AM to 7 AM) — Large Intestine Meridian is strong. During Yin time, the large intestine peristalses, expelling toxins; “The lungs and large intestine are interrelated.” The lungs distribute sufficient fresh blood throughout the body, which then stimulates the large intestine to absorb water and nutrients from food and expel waste. It is best to have a bowel movement after getting up in the morning.
Excess conditions:Prone to hunger, weak stomach, joint abnormalities, appetite abnormalities, dry mouth, and constipation.
Health tips:
Get up quickly, drink a cup of warm water after getting up, and then rush to the toilet to expel the waste accumulated throughout the day! However, do not rush too much; many elderly people suffer strokes because of this. It is better to rest for 10-20 minutes to clear your mind before going.
Recommended foods: Eggplant, spinach, bananas, mushrooms, black fungus, corn, lentils, peas, etc.
3. Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian
Chen time (7 AM to 9 AM) — Stomach Meridian is strong. Breakfast during Chen time nourishes the body;
During this time, breakfast is easiest to digest and absorb. Breakfast can include gentle stomach-nourishing foods such as congee, oatmeal, and buns. Foods that are too hot can easily cause stomach fire, leading to dry, cracked lips and sores. Skipping breakfast can lead to various diseases.
Excess conditions:Unbalanced spleen and stomach, poor digestion and absorption, prone to abdominal bloating, belching, headaches, fatigue, joint abnormalities, and abnormal bowel movements.
Health tips:
It is important to have breakfast at this time. If you do not provide food, the stomach will continue to secrete gastric acid. Prolonged hunger can lead to ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, and cholecystitis! Massaging the stomach meridian one hour after meals can help regulate gastrointestinal function.
4. Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian
Si time (9 AM to 11 AM) — Spleen Meridian is strong. During Si time, the spleen is active, producing blood for the body; “The spleen governs transportation and transformation, and controls blood.” The spleen is the main coordinator of digestion, absorption, and excretion, and also governs the blood in the body.
“The spleen opens to the mouth, and its manifestation is on the lips.” When the spleen functions well, digestion and absorption are good, and blood quality is high, leading to rosy lips. Pale lips indicate insufficient blood energy, while dark or purple lips indicate cold entering the spleen meridian.
Health tips:
When the spleen and stomach are unbalanced, digestion and absorption are poor, and spleen deficiency can lead to decreased memory. This time is ideal for activating the spleen meridian and is the best time to protect the spleen, as it is almost time for lunch.
If conditions allow, it is recommended to cook at home and choose foods such as lentils, sweet potatoes, potatoes, tofu, celery, corn, and rice. Fruits can include apples, oranges, lemons, and tangerines. For beverages, green tea, herbal tea, and honey water are recommended.
5. Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian
Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian is strong during Wu time (11 AM to 1 PM). A short rest during this time calms the mind and nourishes energy; “The heart governs the spirit, opens to the tongue, and its manifestation is on the face.” Heart Qi promotes blood circulation, nourishing the spirit, energy, and tendons.
During Wu time, a short nap is very beneficial for heart health, allowing one to be energetic from afternoon to evening.
6. Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian
Wei time (1 PM to 3 PM) — Small Intestine Meridian is strong. During Wei time, the small intestine separates clear from turbid, and drinking water can reduce heat; the small intestine separates clear from turbid, sending fluids to the bladder and waste to the large intestine, while the essence is sent up to the spleen.
The small intestine meridian adjusts the body’s nutrition during Wei time. If there is heat in the small intestine, one may experience dry cough and flatulence. Drinking more water and tea is beneficial for the small intestine to expel heat.
7. Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian
Shen time (3 PM to 5 PM) — Bladder Meridian is strong. During Shen time, body fluids are abundant, nourishing Yin and providing comfort; the bladder stores water and body fluids, expelling them from the body while circulating fluids internally. If there is heat in the bladder, it can cause bladder cough and urinary incontinence.
During Shen time, the body temperature is relatively high, and those with Yin deficiency are most prominent. Appropriate activity at this time helps circulate body fluids, and drinking tea that nourishes Yin and clears heat is most effective for those with Yin deficiency.
If there is heat in the bladder, it can cause bladder cough and urinary incontinence. During Shen time, the body temperature is relatively high, and those with Yin deficiency are most prominent. Appropriate activity at this time helps circulate body fluids, and drinking tea that nourishes Yin and clears heat is most effective for those with Yin deficiency.
8. Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian
You time (5 PM to 7 PM) — Kidney Meridian is strong. During You time, the kidneys store essence and absorb the clear energy;
“The kidneys store reproductive essence and the essence of the five organs and six bowels. The kidneys are the root of congenital energy.” After the body expels heat and toxins during Shen time, the kidneys enter a phase of storing essence during You time. It is not suitable for intense exercise or excessive water intake at this time.
“The kidneys store reproductive essence and the essence of the five organs and six bowels. The kidneys are the root of congenital energy.” After the body expels heat and toxins during Shen time, the kidneys enter a phase of storing essence during You time. It is not suitable for intense exercise or excessive water intake at this time.
9. Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian
Xu time (7 PM to 9 PM) — Pericardium Meridian is strong. During Xu time, protect the heart and relieve stress for a relaxed heart; “The pericardium is the outer membrane of the heart, with vessels attached, serving as the pathway for Qi and blood. Evil cannot reside here, as it harms the heart.” The pericardium is the protective tissue of the heart and also a pathway for Qi and blood.
The pericardium meridian is most active during Xu time, clearing external evils around the heart, keeping the heart in a healthy state. It is essential to maintain a pleasant mood at this time: read, listen to music, do spa, dance, practice Tai Chi… relax and release stress.
Evil cannot reside here, as it harms the heart.” The pericardium is the protective tissue of the heart and also a pathway for Qi and blood. The pericardium meridian is most active during Xu time, clearing external evils around the heart, keeping the heart in a healthy state. It is essential to maintain a pleasant mood at this time: read, listen to music, do spa, dance, practice Tai Chi… relax and release stress.
10. Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian
Hai time (9 PM to 11 PM) — Sanjiao Meridian is strong. During Hai time, the hundred vessels are open, nourishing the body and enhancing beauty. The Sanjiao is the largest of the six fu organs, responsible for regulating Qi and clearing water pathways. During Hai time, the Sanjiao can open the hundred vessels.
If a person sleeps during Hai time, the hundred vessels can receive the best rest and recovery, which is very beneficial for health and beauty. A common characteristic of centenarians is that they sleep during Hai time. If modern people do not want to sleep at this time, they can listen to music, read, watch TV, or practice yoga, but it is best not to stay awake past Hai time.
If a person sleeps during Hai time, the hundred vessels can receive the best rest and recovery, which is very beneficial for health and beauty. A common characteristic of centenarians is that they sleep during Hai time. If modern people do not want to sleep at this time, they can listen to music, read, watch TV, or practice yoga, but it is best not to stay awake past Hai time.
11. Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian
Zi time (11 PM to 1 AM) — Gallbladder Meridian is strong. Sleeping well during Zi time prevents dark circles; Traditional Chinese Medicine theory states: “The excess Qi of the liver is discharged into the gallbladder, where it is concentrated and refined.” If a person sleeps before Zi time, the gallbladder can complete its metabolism.
“The clearer the bile, the clearer the brain.” Those who sleep before Zi time wake up with a clear mind, rosy complexion, and no dark circles. Conversely, those who often cannot sleep during Zi time have a pale complexion and dark circles under their eyes. Poor bile detoxification and metabolism can also lead to the formation of crystals and stones.
If a person sleeps before Zi time, the gallbladder can complete its metabolism. “The clearer the bile, the clearer the brain.” Those who sleep before Zi time wake up with a clear mind, rosy complexion, and no dark circles.
Conversely, those who often cannot sleep during Zi time have a pale complexion and dark circles under their eyes. Poor bile detoxification and metabolism can also lead to the formation of crystals and stones.
12. Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian
Chou time (1 AM to 3 AM) — Liver Meridian is strong. Not sleeping during Chou time can lead to facial blemishes; Traditional Chinese Medicine theory states: “The liver stores blood.” “When a person sleeps, blood returns to the liver.”
If one cannot sleep during Chou time, the liver continues to output energy to support thinking and action, failing to complete metabolism. Therefore, those who cannot sleep before Chou time may have a grayish complexion, sluggish emotions, and are prone to liver diseases, with a dull complexion and blemishes.
Deficiency conditions:Decreased skin immunity, cold hands and feet, numbness, dry throat, cough, etc.
Excess conditions:Difficulty breathing, throat abnormalities, chest tightness, wheezing, tonsillitis, cough, shoulder and back pain, and prone to hemorrhoids.
Health tips:At this moment, the body needs a lot of oxygen, requiring deep breathing, thus necessitating deep sleep. If you wake up coughing at this time, it is best to drink a cup of warm water to relieve it and also to alleviate lung dryness. Recommended foods include: cabbage, pears, tofu, soy milk, and milk.
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