Understanding the circulation and operation of the body’s meridians throughout the day 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 order 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 utility of life!
Here is the schedule of the twelve time periods and the corresponding human meridian clock. I hope everyone can open the door to health:
1.【Shou Taiyin Feijing】 (Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian)
Yin Hour (3 AM to 5 AM) — The Lung Meridian is at its peak. During this time, deep sleep leads to a rosy complexion and abundant energy;
“The lungs govern the hundred vessels.” After the liver pushes out old blood during the Chou hour, it provides fresh blood to the lungs, which then distributes it throughout the body. Therefore, people often have a rosy complexion and abundant energy in the morning. During the Yin hour, those with lung diseases may experience the most severe symptoms, such as severe coughing or asthma that wakes them up.
Excess symptoms: abdominal distension, constipation, prone to hemorrhoids, discomfort or pain in the shoulder and back, toothache, skin abnormalities, and upper abdomen abnormalities.
2.【Shou Yangming Dachangjing】 (Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian)
Yin Hour (5 AM to 7 AM) — The Large Intestine Meridian is at its peak. During this time, the large intestine is active, expelling toxins; “The lungs and large intestine are interrelated.” The lungs distribute abundant 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.
The way to maintain health: Get up quickly, drink a cup of warm water after getting up, and then rush to the bathroom 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.
Excess symptoms: easily hungry, weak stomach, joint abnormalities, appetite abnormalities, dry mouth, prone to constipation.
3.【Zu Yangming Weijing】 (Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian)
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 easiest to digest and absorb. Breakfast should include gentle, stomach-nourishing foods such as congee, oatmeal, and buns. Foods that are too hot can easily lead to stomach fire, causing dry lips, sores, and other issues.
Excess symptoms: disharmony between spleen and stomach, poor digestion and absorption, prone to abdominal bloating and belching, headaches, fatigue, joint abnormalities, abnormal bowel movements, etc.
The way to maintain health: It is important to have breakfast at this time. If you do not feed it, it will continue to secrete gastric acid. If you go hungry for too long, you risk developing gastric ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, cholecystitis, etc.! Massaging the stomach meridian one hour after meals can help regulate gastrointestinal function.
4.【Zu Taiyin Pijing】 (Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian)
Si Hour (9 AM to 11 AM) — The Spleen Meridian is at its peak. During this time, the spleen is active, producing blood for the body; “The spleen governs transportation and transformation, and the spleen 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, leading to rosy lips. Pale lips indicate insufficient blood energy, while dark or purple lips indicate cold entering the spleen meridian.
The way to maintain health: Disharmony between spleen and stomach, poor digestion and absorption, and spleen deficiency can lead to decreased memory and other issues. This time is the best time for the spleen meridian to open its acupoints and operate. It is almost time for lunch; if conditions allow, it is recommended to cook at home and choose foods like lentils, sweet potatoes, potatoes, tofu, celery, corn, and rice. Fruits can include apples, oranges, lemons, and tangerines. Tea options can include green tea and herbal teas.
5.【Shou Shaoyin Xinjing】 (Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian)
Wu Hour (11 AM to 1 PM) — The Heart Meridian is at its peak. During this time, a short rest calms the mind and nourishes energy;
During the Wu hour, a short nap is very beneficial for nourishing the heart, allowing for abundant energy from afternoon to evening.
6.【Shou Taiyang Xiaojing】 (Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian)
Wei Hour (1 PM to 3 PM) — The Small Intestine Meridian is at its peak. During this time, it separates the clear from the turbid, and drinking water can reduce heat; the small intestine separates the clear from the turbid, directing fluids to the bladder and sending waste to the large intestine, while the essence is sent 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.【Zu Taiyang Pijing】 (Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian)
Shen Hour (3 PM to 5 PM) — The Bladder Meridian is at its peak. During this 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 incontinence. The body temperature is relatively high during the Shen hour, and those with Yin deficiency are most affected. 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 incontinence. The body temperature is relatively high during the Shen hour, and those with Yin deficiency are most affected. 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.【Zu Shaoyin Shenjing】 (Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian)
You Hour (5 PM to 7 PM) — The Kidney Meridian is at its peak. During this 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 Shen hour, the body expels heat and toxins, and the kidneys enter a phase of storing essence during the You hour. 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 Shen hour, the body expels heat and toxins, and the kidneys enter a phase of storing essence during the You hour. It is not suitable for intense exercise or excessive water intake at this time.
9.【Shou Jueyin Xinbaojing】 (Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian)
Xu Hour (7 PM to 9 PM) — The Pericardium Meridian is at its peak. During this time, it protects the heart and relieves stress, promoting heart comfort; “The pericardium is the outer membrane of the heart, containing vessels and pathways for Qi and blood. Evil cannot reside here, as it harms the heart.” The pericardium is the protective tissue of the heart and a pathway for Qi and blood. The pericardium meridian is most active during the Xu hour, clearing external evils around the heart and keeping it in a healthy state. It is essential to maintain a pleasant mood at this time: read, listen to music, do spa treatments, 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 a pathway for Qi and blood. The pericardium meridian is most active during the Xu hour, clearing external evils around the heart and keeping it in a healthy state. It is essential to maintain a pleasant mood at this time: read, listen to music, do spa treatments, dance, practice Tai Chi… relax and release stress.
10.【Shou Shaoyang Sanjiao Jing】 (Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner Meridian)
Hai Hour (9 PM to 11 PM) — The Triple Burner Meridian is at its peak. During this time, it connects the hundred vessels, nourishing the body and enhancing beauty. The triple burner is the largest of the six fu organs, responsible for regulating Qi and clearing water pathways. During the Hai hour, the triple burner can connect the hundred vessels. 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. A common trait among centenarians is that 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. A common trait among centenarians is that 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.【Zu Shaoyang Danjing】 (Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian)
Zi Hour (11 PM to 1 AM) — The Gallbladder Meridian is at its peak. During this time, a good sleep prevents dark circles; TCM theory states, “The excess Qi of the liver is discharged through the liver and gallbladder, accumulating to form essence.” 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 may have a pale complexion and dark circles under their eyes. Poor bile metabolism can also 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 may have a pale complexion and dark circles under their eyes. Poor bile metabolism can also lead to the formation of crystals and stones.
12.【Zu Jueyin Gan Jing】 (Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian)
Chou Hour (1 AM to 3 AM) — The Liver Meridian is at its peak. During this time, if one does not sleep, spots may appear on the face; TCM 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 thinking and action, failing to complete metabolism. Therefore, those who cannot sleep before the Chou hour may have a grayish complexion, sluggish emotions, and are prone to liver diseases, with a dull complexion and spots.
The way to maintain health: At this time, the body requires a lot of oxygen, necessitating deep sleep. If you wake up coughing, it is best to drink a cup of warm water to relieve it and also help with lung dryness. Recommended foods include: cabbage, pears, tofu, soy milk.
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, prone to hemorrhoids, etc.
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