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We can receive great insight into how the body functions from traditional medicine. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the functions of the human body can be divided into a 24-hour body clock, specifically in 12 two-hour intervals. During each two-hour interval, our life force energy—referred to as our Qi in TCM—focuses on a specific organ meridian.
If you feel a particular symptom at the same time each day, this can be great insight into what may be unbalanced in your body. Creating this awareness can have a positive impact on your health.
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This awareness can translate to a better sense of understanding our symptoms and attempting to find different solutions (conventional or traditional) to address them. Pictured is Hippocrates of Kos, the "father of Western medicine."
Symptoms (emotional, mental, and physical) are a method that the body uses to communicate its condition. Ailments are often expressed by irregularities, which can, unfortunately, be uncomfortable.
Instead of masking those symptoms, traditional medicine often asks you to raise awareness of them to try to understand the root cause. Conventional medicine may just seek to treat the symptom itself.
Both approaches to medicine—the conventional and traditional—can offer us different tools to address some of our ailments and become healthier, more resilient beings.
From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, we can understand the body as functioning like a 24-hour clock.
This "body clock" is divided into 12 sections. Each section has a two-hour interval that corresponds to different organs.
At each interval station, your vital energy—called Qi in TCM—lands at a new organ meridian. Observing our symptoms and the time at which we typically experience them during the day can be valuable information. Knowing which bodily functions occur at which hour can also help us make decisions. Pictured is a diagram that indicates how Qi travels through the body.
There are two insights that you can have at each interval if we look at the body clock in a circular format like a clock. The first is the active interval attributed to a particular two-hour block. Directly across from the active interval, on the opposite side of the "clock," we’ll find the organ that is the least active, located in a position exactly 12 hours after.
The more awareness you have about where the most energy is being directed at a certain time, the better you can organize your activities and even shift some of your habits to improve your well-being.
By understanding when an organ is at its peak, we can, for example, decide when we should eat, prepare to rest, and exercise to best suit that organ.
In TCM, organs are not just their physical function, they are also connected to emotions. Each organ corresponds to one of the five elements, which indicates specific pathologies.
The primary objective of TCM is to ensure that the body is both in a constant flow of energy, resisting any form of stagnation, and that each component is in balance. The aspect of balance is what, in TCM, equates to health.
From 3 am to 5 am, it is the time of the lungs. In TCM, the lungs, of course, have their function to distribute oxygen throughout the body, while removing carbon dioxide.
In TCM, the emotions attributed to the lungs are grief and sadness. Symptoms of lung imbalance include fatigue, shortness of breath, frequent colds, depression, and excessive crying.
If you wake up coughing between 3 am to 5 am, this may be an indication that your lungs need some attention. This often requires dietary changes to reduce mucus. Symptoms appearing during these hours may also indicate that there is grief that you have to address to improve lung health.
Next, we have the large intestine, which is at its most active from 5 am to 7 am. The main function of the large intestine is that of elimination. From a TCM perspective, this is the ideal window to drink water to support the elimination process.
Accordingly, it’s the worst time to consume caffeine. This is because caffeine is a diuretic, which will encourage water to move from your colon to your kidneys and bladder instead.
The emotions attributed to the large intestines are guilt and defensiveness. Are you struggling with any symptoms during this time window? Emotionally, you may need to release some sense of guilt you’re harboring. In terms of dietary habits, consider eliminating caffeine during this interval and consuming more water.
From 7 am to 9 am, the Qi situates itself in the stomach, which is related to the emotion of despair. This is the time when you may feel hungry and ready for your first meal. From a TCM perspective, eating your larger, more robust meals in the first part of the day promotes better digestion.
TCM encourages you to seek warm foods, even in warm climates. If you are experiencing symptoms during this time window, avoid raw foods (like salads and smoothies) and cold water. Instead, drink warm tea and well-cooked foods.
The pancreas and spleen, which harbor emotions like jealousy and worry, have their interval between 9 am and 11 am. Symptoms during this period are strongly connected to the stomach, so make sure you’re consuming warm liquids and foods.
Between 11 am and 1 pm, the Qi makes its way to the heart. Stress, rapid heartbeats, or even irregular heartbeats may be something you experience during this time window. Research actually shows that heart attacks are more likely to occur during this time window.
The emotions related to the heart are joy and sadness. Make time for intentional rest and joy during this interval to promote optimal heart function, avoiding any heavy activity as much as possible.
From 1 pm to 3 pm, the small intestine takes the stage. Do you experience bloating or indigestion during this time window? Or feel a sense of insecurity or vulnerability? These symptoms may indicate that you have some underlying digestive issues.
This time interval is when the small intestine separates the “pure from impure.” It does so on a digestive level, but also on a mental and spiritual level, as well. Meditation and consuming warm liquids will help any imbalances in the small intestine.
Do you ever feel a bit sleepy between 3 pm and 5 pm? Your bladder may need some nourishment and attention. The bladder is associated with the emotion of irritability.
The bladder is responsible for transforming fluid, in this case into urine, and excretion of that fluid. To strengthen the bladder, consume foods with moderate salt, such as a savory broth.
From 5 pm to 7 pm, we have the bladder’s closest ally, the kidneys. The kidneys harbor a sense of fear. If you’re feeling overly fearful, it may be a sign that your kidneys need some attention.
Why is that the case? The kidneys are aligned with the adrenal system, which produces cortisol, getting us into our fight-or-flight mode. The longer we are in a state of fear, the more damage we do to our kidney health. A good indicator of good kidney health is actually a surge of energy during this time.
From 7 pm to 9 pm, we have the pericardium interval. The pericardium harbors emotions like hurt, but can also provoke a sense of emotional paralysis that can leave us feeling depleted.
Do you have a sudden craving for sweets during this time interval? This may be a symptom of an imbalanced pericardium. Try to drink a 'sweet tea, such as licorice root, to nourish the craving.
Between 9 pm and 11 pm, the Qi situates itself in the triple warmer, which regulates the blood vessels and arteries. The triple warmer is associated with the thyroid and adrenals, which regulate metabolism. If you struggle with headaches during this time, you may have an issue with this organ.
Between 11 pm and 1 am, the gall bladder, which is responsible for bile regulation, is center stage. If you’re struggling with poor decision-making or a lack of confidence, your gall bladder may be struggling. Gentle exercise can help to address the underlying issues.
Finally, we have the liver, which is at its highest function between 1 am and 3 am. Rest is critical for liver health. Late nights, stress, and other excesses can contribute to its dysregulation.
Struggling with managing your anger? Experiencing bouts of rage? Your liver is sending you a sign that it’s in crisis. Look into the emotional aspect of your symptoms to address liver health.
Sources: (Organic Olivia) (Balance Acupuncture) (Healthline)
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The 'body clock' concept in traditional Chinese medicine
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HEALTH Organs
We can receive great insight into how the body functions from traditional medicine. According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the functions of the human body can be divided into a 24-hour body clock, specifically in 12 two-hour intervals. During each two-hour interval, our life force energy—referred to as our Qi in TCM—focuses on a specific organ meridian.
If you feel a particular symptom at the same time each day, this can be great insight into what may be unbalanced in your body. Creating this awareness can have a positive impact on your health.
Curious to know more? Click through the gallery.