Understanding the daily circulation and operation of the human body’s meridians allows us to grasp every moment of life, starting from our breath. 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 the means of living! Below, I present the twelve time periods and the corresponding meridian schedule, hoping everyone can open the door to health…
1. Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian (Shou Taiyin Fei Jing) Yin Hour (3 AM to 5 AM) — The Lung Meridian is at its peak. Sleeping well during this time, the 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 hour, it provides fresh blood to the lungs, which then distributes it throughout the body. Therefore, in the morning, a person’s complexion is rosy and energy is abundant. During the Yin hour, those with lung diseases may experience the most severe symptoms, such as severe coughing or asthma that wakes them up.Symptoms: Abdominal distension, tendency to constipation, prone to hemorrhoids, discomfort or pain in the shoulder and back, toothache, skin abnormalities, and upper abdominal issues.2. Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian (Shou Yangming Da Chang Jing) Mao Hour (5 AM to 7 AM) — The Large Intestine Meridian is at its peak. During this time, the large intestine peristalsis occurs, 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 enter an excited state, completing the process of absorbing water and nutrients from food and expelling waste. It is best to have a bowel movement after getting up in the morning.
Symptoms: Easily hungry, weak stomach, abnormal joints, appetite issues, dry mouth, tendency to constipation.Health Tip: 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 the mind before going.Suggestions: Choose foods like eggplant, spinach, bananas, mushrooms, corn, lentils, and peas.3. Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Zu Yangming Wei Jing) Chen Hour (7 AM to 9 AM) — The Stomach Meridian is at its peak. Breakfast during this time nourishes the body;
During this time, breakfast is the easiest to digest and absorb. Breakfast can include gentle, stomach-nourishing foods such as congee, oatmeal, and buns. Foods that are too hot and dry can easily lead to stomach fire, causing issues like chapped lips and sores. Skipping breakfast can lead to various diseases.Symptoms: Spleen and stomach disharmony, poor digestion and absorption, tendency to abdominal bloating and belching, headaches, fatigue, abnormal knee joints, and abnormal bowel movements.Health Tip: It is important to have breakfast at this time. If you do not fill your stomach, it will continue to secrete gastric acid. If you go hungry for too long, you risk developing gastric ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, and cholecystitis! Massaging the stomach meridian one hour after meals can help regulate gastrointestinal function.4. Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian (Zu Taiyin Pi Jing) Si Hour (9 AM to 11 AM) — The Spleen Meridian is at its peak. During this time, the Spleen is strong, producing blood for the body; “The Spleen governs transportation and transformation, and it controls blood.” The Spleen is the main regulator of digestion, absorption, and excretion, and it 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, resulting in rosy lips. Pale lips indicate insufficient blood and Qi, while dark or purple lips indicate cold entering the Spleen Meridian.
Health Tip: Spleen and stomach disharmony, poor digestion and absorption, 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.Suggestions: When cooking at home, choose foods like lentils, sweet potatoes, potatoes, tofu, celery, corn, and rice. Fruits can include apples, oranges, lemons, and tangerines. For tea, green tea, flower tea, and honey water are good options.5. Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian (Shou Shaoyin Xin Jing) Wu Hour (11 AM to 1 PM) — The Heart Meridian is at its peak. 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.” The Heart Qi promotes blood circulation, nourishing the spirit, energy, and tendons.
During the Wu hour, taking a short nap is very beneficial for heart health, allowing one to be energetic from the afternoon to the evening.6. Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian (Shou Taiyang Xiao Chang Jing) Wei Hour (1 PM to 3 PM) — The Small Intestine Meridian is at its peak. During this time, the Small Intestine distinguishes between clear and turbid, and drinking water can reduce heat; the Small Intestine separates the clear fluids to the bladder and sends the waste to the large intestine, while the essence is sent upwards to the Spleen. The Small Intestine Meridian adjusts the nutrition of the body during this time. If there is heat in the Small Intestine, one may experience dry cough and flatulence. Drinking more water and tea at this time is beneficial for the Small Intestine to expel heat.
7. Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Zu Taiyang Pang Guang Jing) Shen Hour (3 PM to 5 PM) — The Bladder Meridian is at its peak. During this time, body fluids are abundant, nourishing Yin and making the body comfortable; the Bladder stores water and fluids, expelling them from the body, while the fluids circulate within. If there is heat in the Bladder, it can cause bladder cough and incontinence.During the Shen hour, the body temperature is relatively high, and those with Yin deficiency are most prominent. Appropriate activity at this time helps the circulation of 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 incontinence. During the Shen hour, the body temperature is relatively high, and those with Yin deficiency are most prominent. Appropriate activity at this time helps the circulation of body fluids, and drinking tea that nourishes Yin and clears heat is most effective for those with Yin deficiency.8. Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (Zu Shaoyin Shen Jing) You Hour (5 PM to 7 PM) — The Kidney Meridian is at its peak. During this time, the Kidney stores essence and absorbs the clear energy;
“The Kidney stores reproductive essence and the essence of the five organs and six bowels. The Kidney is the root of congenital energy.” After the Shen hour of expelling fire and detoxifying, the Kidney enters a phase of storing essence during the You hour. It is not suitable for intense exercise or excessive water intake at this time.“The Kidney stores reproductive essence and the essence of the five organs and six bowels. The Kidney is the root of congenital energy.” After the Shen hour of expelling fire and detoxifying, the Kidney enters a phase of storing essence during the You hour. It is not suitable for intense exercise or excessive water intake at this time.9. Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian (Shou Jueyin Xin Bao Jing) Xu Hour (7 PM to 9 PM) — The Pericardium Meridian is at its peak. During this 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, or it will harm 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 the Xu hour, which can eliminate external evils surrounding 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 a spa, dance, or practice Tai Chi… relax and release stress.
“Evil cannot reside here, or it will harm 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 the Xu hour, which can eliminate external evils surrounding 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 a spa, dance, or practice Tai Chi… relax and release stress.10. Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian (Shou Shaoyang San Jiao Jing) Hai Hour (9 PM to 11 PM) — The Sanjiao Meridian is at its peak. During this time, the hundred vessels are connected, nourishing the body and enhancing beauty. The Sanjiao is the largest of the six fu organs, responsible for managing Qi and unblocking water pathways. The Sanjiao can connect the hundred vessels during the Hai hour. If a person sleeps during the Hai hour, the hundred vessels can receive the best rest and recovery, which is very beneficial for the body and beauty.Centenarians share a common trait: they sleep during the Hai hour. If modern people do not wish 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 the Hai hour.
If a person sleeps during the Hai hour, the hundred vessels can receive the best rest and recovery, which is very beneficial for the body and beauty. Centenarians share a common trait: they sleep during the Hai hour. If modern people do not wish 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 the Hai hour.11. Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Zu Shaoyang Dan Jing) Zi Hour (11 PM to 1 AM) — The Gallbladder Meridian is at its peak. Sleeping well during this 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 the Zi hour, the gallbladder can complete its metabolism.“The clearer the bile, the clearer the brain.” Those who sleep before the Zi hour wake up with a clear mind, rosy complexion, and no dark circles. Conversely, those who often cannot sleep during the Zi hour will have a pale complexion and dark circles under their eyes. Additionally, poor bile detoxification can lead to the formation of crystals and stones.
If a person sleeps before the Zi hour, the gallbladder can complete its metabolism. “The clearer the bile, the clearer the brain.” Those who sleep before the Zi hour wake up with a clear mind, rosy complexion, and no dark circles. Conversely, those who often cannot sleep during the Zi hour will have a pale complexion and dark circles under their eyes. Additionally, poor bile detoxification can lead to the formation of crystals and stones.12. Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian (Zu Jueyin Gan Jing) Chou Hour (1 AM to 3 AM) — The Liver Meridian is at its peak. Not sleeping during the Chou hour 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 the Chou hour, the liver continues to output energy to support a person’s thoughts and actions, failing to complete metabolism. Therefore, those who cannot sleep before the Chou hour will have a grayish complexion, emotional sluggishness, and are prone to liver diseases, with a dull complexion and blemishes.Deficiency Symptoms: Decreased skin immunity, cold hands and feet, numbness, dry throat, cough, etc.Excess Symptoms: Difficulty breathing, throat abnormalities, chest tightness, asthma, tonsillitis, cough, shoulder and back pain, and prone to hemorrhoids.Health Tip: At this moment, the human body needs a lot of oxygen, requiring deep breathing, so deep sleep is necessary. 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.Suggestions: Choose foods like cabbage, pears, tofu, soy milk, and milk.
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