Understanding the human meridians – the daily circulation and operational laws, grasping every moment of life, starting from breathing, using the meridians as a basis, comprehending the principles of Taiji, respecting the order of Yin and Yang. The twelve meridians are all connected to the source of life energy; Qi is the foundation of life, and time is the application of life!
1.【Shou Taiyin Feijing (Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian)】
Yin time (3 AM to 5 AM) – Lung Meridian is strong. During Yin time, sleep is deep, complexion is red, and energy is abundant;
“The lungs govern the hundred vessels.” After the liver pushes out old blood during Chou time, 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 Yin time, those with lung diseases often report symptoms most strongly, such as severe coughing or asthma that wakes them up.
Excess symptoms: abdominal distension, tendency to constipation, prone to hemorrhoids, discomfort or pain in the shoulder and back, toothache, skin abnormalities, upper abdomen abnormalities, etc.
2.【Shou Yangming Dachangjing (Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian)】
Yin time (5 AM to 7 AM) – Large Intestine Meridian is strong. During Yin 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 absorb water and nutrients from food and expel waste. It is best to have a bowel movement after getting up in the morning.
Health advice: 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. Recommended foods include: eggplant, spinach, bananas, mushrooms, black fungus, corn, lentils, peas, etc.
Excess symptoms: easily hungry, weak stomach, joint abnormalities, appetite abnormalities, dry mouth, tendency to constipation. Follow TCM health tips on zyys_app for a healthier life.
3.【Zu Yangming Weijing (Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian)】
Chen time (7 AM to 9 AM) – Stomach Meridian is strong. During Chen time, having breakfast nourishes the body;
At 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 symptoms: spleen and stomach disharmony, poor digestion and absorption, prone to bloating and belching, headaches, fatigue, abnormal knee joints, abnormal bowel movements, etc.
Health advice: It is important to have breakfast at this time. If you do not provide it with food, it will continue to secrete gastric acid. If you go hungry for too long, you risk developing gastric ulcers, gastritis, duodenitis, cholecystitis, etc.! After meals, massaging the stomach meridian one hour later can help regulate gastrointestinal function.
4.【Zu Taiyin Pijing (Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian)】
Si time (9 AM to 11 AM) – Spleen Meridian is strong. During Si time, the spleen is strong, producing blood for the body;
“The spleen governs transportation and transformation, and the spleen controls blood.” The spleen is the overall coordinator of digestion, absorption, and excretion, and it is also the commander of blood in the body. “The spleen opens to the mouth, and its beauty is in the lips.” When the spleen functions well, digestion and absorption are good, and blood quality is good, leading to rosy lips. Pale lips indicate insufficient blood energy, while dark or purple lips indicate cold entering the spleen meridian.
Health advice: Spleen and stomach disharmony, poor digestion and absorption, spleen deficiency can lead to decreased memory, etc. This time is when my spleen meridian opens and operates (follow TCM health tips on zyys_app for a healthier life), and it is also the best time to protect the spleen. 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, flower tea, and honey water.
5.【Shou Shaoyin Xinjing (Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian)】
Wu time (11 AM to 1 PM) – Heart Meridian is strong. During Wu time, a short rest calms the spirit and nourishes energy;
“The heart governs the spirit, opens to the tongue, and its beauty is in the face.” Heart Qi promotes blood circulation, nourishing the spirit, energy, and tendons.
During Wu time, a person can take a short nap, which 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 time (1 PM to 3 PM) – Small Intestine Meridian is strong. During Wei time, clarity and turbidity are distinguished, and drinking water can reduce heat; the small intestine distinguishes clarity and turbidity, returning fluids to the bladder and sending 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 Wei time. If there is heat in the small intestine, a person may experience dry cough and flatulence. At this time, drinking more water and tea is beneficial for the small intestine to expel heat.
7.【Zu Taiyang Pangguangjing (Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian)】
Shen time (3 PM to 5 PM) – Bladder Meridian is strong. During Shen time, body fluids are sufficient, nourishing Yin and making the body comfortable; the bladder stores water and body fluids, expelling them from the body, while body fluids circulate within. 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 activities at this time help 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 activities at this time help 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 time (5 PM to 7 PM) – Kidney Meridian is strong. During You time, the kidneys store essence and receive 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 detoxifies during Shen time, the kidneys enter the stage of storing essence during You time. At this time, excessive exercise and drinking large amounts of water are not suitable.
“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 detoxifies during Shen time, the kidneys enter the stage of storing essence during You time. At this time, excessive exercise and drinking large amounts of water are not suitable.
9.【Shou Jueyin Xinbagjing (Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian)】
Xu time (7 PM to 9 PM) – Pericardium Meridian is strong. During Xu time, protect the heart, relieve pressure, and make the heart comfortable; “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. (Follow TCM health tips on zyys_app for a healthier life) The pericardium meridian is most vigorous during Xu time, clearing external evils around the heart, keeping the heart in good condition. At this time, it is essential to maintain a pleasant mood: read, listen to music, do 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 vigorous during Xu time, clearing external evils around the heart, keeping the heart in good condition. At this time, it is essential to maintain a pleasant mood: read, listen to music, do spa, dance, or practice Tai Chi… relax and release stress.
10.【Shou Shaoyang Sanjiao Jing (Hand Shaoyang Triple Burner Meridian)】
Hai time (9 PM to 11 PM) – Triple Burner Meridian is strong. During Hai time, the hundred vessels are open, nourishing the body and enhancing beauty. The triple burner is the largest of the six fu organs, responsible for managing Qi and unblocking water pathways. During Hai time, the triple burner 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 the body 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 the body 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.【Zu Shaoyang Danjing (Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian)】
Zi time (11 PM to 1 AM) – Gallbladder Meridian is strong. During Zi time, sleep is deep, and dark circles do not appear; TCM 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 in the morning with a clear mind, rosy complexion, and no dark circles. Conversely, those who often cannot sleep during Zi time have a pale complexion, dark circles, and are more likely to develop crystals and stones due to poor bile detoxification and metabolism.
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 in the morning with a clear mind, rosy complexion, and no dark circles. Conversely, those who often cannot sleep during Zi time have a pale complexion, dark circles, and are more likely to develop crystals and stones due to poor bile detoxification and metabolism.
12.【Zu Jueyin Gan Jing (Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian)】
Chou time (1 AM to 3 AM) – Liver Meridian is strong. During Chou time, if one does not sleep, spots will 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 Chou time, the liver continues to output energy to support a person’s thoughts and actions, failing to complete metabolism. Therefore, those who cannot sleep before Chou time may have a grayish complexion, emotional sluggishness, and are prone to liver diseases, with a dull complexion and spots appearing on the face.
Health advice: At this time, the body needs a lot of oxygen, requiring deep sleep. If you wake up coughing, 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.
Deficiency symptoms: decreased skin immunity, cold hands and feet, numbness, dry throat, cough, etc.
Excess symptoms: difficulty breathing, throat abnormalities, chest tightness, wheezing, tonsillitis, cough, shoulder and back pain, prone to hemorrhoids, etc.
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Diagnosis: Hand diagnosis, tongue diagnosis, observation diagnosis.
Acupoints: Shen Yu (Kidney Shu Point), Jing Ming (Bright Eyes Point), Human Eye Acupoint Map, Eye Acupoints, Zu San Li (Foot Three Miles Point), Yun Men (Cloud Gate Point), Jie Xi (Stream Divide Point), Tian Zhu (Heaven Pillar Point).
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