Most people are familiar with the terms diurnal and nocturnal. Diurnal means active during the daytime, while nocturnal means active during the nighttime. Together the two make up a 24 hour cycle known as a day. But, in East Asian Medicine, this 24 hour cycle is viewed as much more than just a day in the life. The 24 hours of the day are viewed as increments of time and every two hour section is associated with a specific energetic meridian that runs through the body. This is sometimes referred to as the qi clock.
In East Asian Medicine (EAM), balance is not static, but rather a dynamic state of fluctuation represented by the theory of yin and yang. To live in harmony is to live in accordance with the yin and yang rhythms of nature. And every day is a new opportunity to tune in and deepen our relationship with ourselves.
Similar to the monthly menstrual cycle or the yearly cycle of the seasons, the human body experiences a daily cycle. According to EAM, our qi (life force / energy) cycles through each organ over the course of a day. When qi is flowing strongly in a particular organ, that organ is activated and ready to work. To help us tune into this daily energy cycle, the EAM clock shows us how each organ aligns with a 2 hour interval of naturally elevated energy and offers guidance on how best to work with it. By aligning our daily activities with the natural flow of our body’s qi, we’re able to work with our body’s internal processes, making it easier to maintain balance between our body, mind, and spirit, while supporting our overall health.
At Zen Penguin Wellness, it’s a common complaint that people wake at specific times each night or that there are certain times of day when the same anomaly occurs. This can frequently be connected to the EAM body clock and the energetic pathway / meridian that represents the specific time frame. Every two hours the qi (or energy) is strongest within a particular organ and its functions within the body are performing at the optimum level. But that’s not all. The body, mind and emotions are inseparable in EAM, meaning that if you have disharmony in your physical body, it can also be tied to your emotional state. So if you wake up at 3 AM, when the liver energy peaks, you may be suffering from liver qi stagnation, which could be related to an unhealthy diet, excess alcohol consumption, unresolved anger or high levels of stress. If you consistently wake at 4 AM, it could be due to an imbalance in your lungs, which is related to grief and sadness, fatigue or reduced immune function.
Here’s a breakdown of the EAM body clock by the 2 hour time frames associated with each meridian. This breakdown includes the functions of the meridian, the emotions connected to it, symptoms of imbalance and tips to help you improve the overall performance of the pathway.
9 PM to 11 PM – The Triple Burner / San Jiao Meridian:
Functions – The triple burner is not a distinct organ but is related to our endocrine and lymphatic systems. It controls metabolism within the body.
Emotion – Joy or lack of joy, depression, hopelessness.
Symptoms of Imbalance – Mania, feelings of guilt, depression, adrenal fatigue, hormone imbalance, sluggish metabolism, frequent headaches, fatigue, earaches, swollen lymph nodes, fibromyalgia, thyroid disorder, alternating chills and fever.
Tips – Try going to bed earlier, work on establishing a calming nighttime routine, avoid artificial light after 9 PM.
11 PM to 1 AM – The Gallbladder Meridian:
Functions – The gallbladder stores and excretes bile to facilitate proper digestion. It also rules the decision making process, controls the sinews and tendons and governs dreams.
Emotion – Indecisiveness
Symptoms of Imbalance – Indecision, frequent sighing, rash decisions, poor judgement, difficulty making decisions, shyness, timidity, high cholesterol, resentment, dream-disturbed sleep, weak tendons, tendonitis.
Tips – Avoid alcohol, trans fats and spicy foods. Eat a small dinner well before bedtime and avoid snacking before bed.
1 AM to 3 AM – The Liver Meridian:
Functions – The Liver is responsible for detoxifying our bodies and processing emotions each night. The liver stores the blood and governs the qi of the body. It is associated with the tendons, nails and eyes. Think back to a night when you had too much to drink or a period of intense frustration at work. Did you wake up around between 1-3 AM, unable to fall back asleep? From the EAM perspective, your liver was overloaded and struggled to do its job.
Emotion – Anger and irritability
Symptoms of Imbalance – Explosive outbursts of anger, bottled up emotions, resentment, irritability, moodiness, frustration, high blood pressure, chest distention, PMS, bitter taste in mouth, digestive upset, dizziness, migraine headaches, breast tenderness, blurred vision, eye floaters, red face, tendonitis, frequent sighing.
Tips – Make sure to drink alcohol in moderation and eat your last meal a few hours before bed. Consider a whole foods cleanse. Cut out coffee for a week and replace it with green tea. Find ways to deal with your anger and frustrations in a healthy way. Get up and move regularly.
3 AM to 5 AM – The Lung Meridian:
Functions – The lung meridian governs the respiratory and immune system, regulates the sweat glands and moistens the skin.
Emotion – Grief and sadness
Symptoms of Imbalance – Feelings of sadness or grief that have not been dealt with, shortness of breath, sweating easily, weak voice, shallow breathing, fatigue, cough, frequent cold / flu, fever with chills, sore throat, runny nose, headaches, allergies, asthma, chest pain, pale complexion, dry skin, depression, crying.
Tips – Try breathing qigong exercises, meditation or yoga to improve your lung capacity. Consider getting counseling or talking to a friend about feelings of sadness or grief. Write in your journal about your emotions before bed each night.
5 AM to 7 AM – The Large Intestine Meridian:
Functions – The large intestine governs elimination, both physically and emotionally. Waking during this time may suggest difficulties in letting go, whether of physical waste or emotional baggage.
Emotion – Feeling stuck or unable to let go of the past
Symptoms of Imbalance – Constipation, bloating, skin issues, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, feeling stressed or unable to cope, fatigue, malabsorption of nutrients, difficulty letting go, constantly focusing on the past.
Tips – Instead of reaching for the coffee, try to start your day with a glass of warm water to gently wake up the colon. Give your body time to naturally detox with meditation or mindful breathing. Journal or work with someone to resolve any attachments to past traumas and dramas.
7 AM to 9 AM – The Stomach Meridian:
Functions – The stomach meridian is a key component of the digestive tube concept, representing the upper part of this tube and the initial phase of breaking down food. From salivating in anticipation of a meal to receiving nourishment, the stomach meridian helps prepare the body for digestion and supports the smooth flow of bodily fluids. Emotionally, the stomach is linked to worry and rumination or the act of mentally chewing on an issue without finding a resolution.
Emotion – Worry
Symptoms of Imbalance – Poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, bloating, acid reflux, heartburn, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, gas, abdominal pain, anxiety, overthinking.
Tips – Eat a warm, hearty breakfast to help create long-lasting energy for the day ahead. Try to avoid cold foods / drinks like smoothies, as cold dampens the digestive fire, making digestion less efficient. You can still have your morning smoothie, but counter it with some hot ginger tea beforehand to help balance the thermodynamics of the body. Get up and move to address anxiety. Do some qigong or tai chi to address overthinking.
9 AM to 11 AM – The Spleen Meridian:
Functions – The primary function of the spleen meridian is to govern the transformation and transportation of nutrients from the food into qi and blood, which are then distributed throughout the body. The spleen also plays a role in regulating water metabolism and supporting the immune system.
Emotion – Mental clarity, memory and focus
Symptoms of Imbalance – Vomiting, brain fog, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, jaw pain, impaired speech, loose stools, fatigue, edema, excessive worry, leukorrhea, irregular periods, fibroids, endometriosis, tendency towards obesity, sweet cravings, weakness of the limbs and slight depression.
Tips – Find ways to regulate your stress, exercise regularly, eat warming foods regularly, avoid irregular and excessive eating, ingest protein with every meal.
11 AM to 1 PM – The Heart Meridian:
Functions – The heart meridian manages blood circulation, commands mental activity and is associated with the spirit or Shen. It dominates the blood vessels, it manifests in the complexion and it controls sweating.
Emotion – Happiness and joy
Symptoms of Imbalance – Palpitations, shortness of breath, pale complexion, fatigue, spontaneous sweating, depression, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety, chest pain and dry mouth.
Tips – Enjoy a light lunch and good conversation, take a break from work or other stressors by grabbing food with a friend. Try to avoid reading, working or watching tv while eating for optimal digestion. Practice mindfulness, meditation and deep breathing. Engage in activities that bring you joy and happiness.
1 PM to 3 PM – The Small Intestine Meridian:
Functions – The small intestine is where digestion of food and absorption of nutrients is completed from earlier meals in the day. The primary function is to distinguish clear from turbid, which means it separates the pure (nourishment) from the impure (waste).
Emotion – Joy
Symptoms of Imbalance – Difficulty making decisions, shoulder and neck pain, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, confusion, brain fog, groin pain, cold limbs and flatulence.
Tips – Eat balanced, warm meals, chew your food thoroughly, opt for warm beverages, avoid ice, practice self care, get restful sleep, find ways to deal with stress and try to eat without distractions.
3 PM to 5 PM – The Urinary Bladder Meridian:
Functions – The urinary bladder stores and excretes urine and it transforms fluids into urine.
Emotion – Fear
Symptoms of Imbalance – Incontinence, enuresis, nocturia, polyuria, low back pain, dizziness, leg pain, fear, jealousy, suspicion, overactive bladder, urinary urgency, bladder prolapse and bladder stones.
Tips – Try to hydrate with water or tea and a salty snack like nuts or miso soup, limit caffeine and alcohol intake, focus on back stretches, incorporate resistance training for the back and legs, address your fears or work with a therapist to learn how to cope.
5 PM to 7 PM – The Kidney Meridian:
Functions – The kidney meridian governs water metabolism, stores the vital energy that is passed from your parents (Jing), influences bone health, fertility and reproduction, governs hearing and assists in the production of blood.
Emotion – Fear
Symptoms of Imbalance – Tinnitus, hearing loss, infertility, fatigue, memory loss, dizziness, irregular periods, low back pain, bone pain, edema, urinary issues, nocturia, heavy periods, weakness of the knees and legs, loose teeth, hair loss, sterility, incontinence, cold limbs, premature ejaculation, uterine prolapse, hot flashes, night sweats, decreased libido, apathy, depression, nervousness and anxiety.
Tips – Incorporate salty foods into the diet, do some light walking or stretching, avoid pornography, apply low heat to the low back frequently, eat warm foods, drink plenty of water, try to avoid highly processed foods and eating late at night.
7 PM to 9 PM – The Pericardium Meridian:
Functions – The pericardium protects, maintains and aids the heart, it filters the emotions of the other meridians, it is related to feeling of love and sexual activity and it helps to ward off external pathogens.
Emotion – Anxiety and fear
Symptoms of Imbalance – Heart disorders, chest pain, depression, difficulty feeling and expressing emotions, laryngitis, mastitis, stiff neck, inappropriate sexual behaviors, chest congestion, asthma, palpitations, schizophrenia, insomnia, dizziness, oral ulcers, mania and epilepsy.
Tips – Seek out healthy sexual relationships, get outside during cooler weather, prioritize self care, get plenty of rest and find ways to balance your stress levels.
As you can clearly see, keeping the body balanced can be daunting. But when you think about it, it’s always the same old story….drink water, get rest, eat healthy foods, exercise, prioritize self care and nurture healthy relationships. Humans are sort of like house plants, give us all the right support and we will thrive. And for those times in life when imbalances happen, that’s when you can rely on some outside help like acupuncture, massage, chiropractic care and herbs to help get you through.