While few outside of true Chinese Medicine geeks often care about when energy flows (the circadian rhythm) through the body, it can be useful for evaluating what is out of balance. By understanding when energy should be highest for each meridian, we get a better idea of when to treat, or where a problem may be located.
Don’t get caught up in the minutia of having to remember or understand every area of Chinese Medicine. Instead just think of your daily routine, feel each step as you read through, and see this flow makes sense physically:
- 3 – 5 am – The LUNGs transport fresh blood & Chi, preparing for a new day
- 5 – 7 am – The LARGE INTESTINE eliminates yesterday’s waste and strengthens immune system
- 7 – 9 am – Food begins rotting and ripening in the STOMACH
- 9 – 11 am – The SPLEEN/pancreas transforms food into energy/Chi
- 11 – 1 pm – Chi circulates through the body by the pumping of the HEART
- 1 – 3 pm – Enzymes in the SM INTESTINE fire up and go to work
- 3 – 5 pm – Release from the BLADDER relaxes the spine
- 5 – 7 pm – The KIDNEYs filter the day’s toxins and balance energy
- 7 – 9 pm – The PERICARDIUM protects from the day’s stress
- 9 – 11 pm – The TRIPLE HEATER maintains body temp during cooling down from the day
- 11 – 1 am – The GALL BLADDER continues processing the day’s nutrition
- 1 – 3 am – As we close our eyes the LIVER cleans, stores and distributes the blood
For a visual flow that may resonate better follow the arrows through the meridians:
For example, if your horse is having kidney issues, the best time of day to treat and strengthen the Kidney meridian might be from 5 – 7 in the evening. Or, this might be when to expect the greatest response to your treatment.
It takes 24 hours for energetic treatments to flow through the entire body. And it flows in the order described above. You may see immediate response to a treatment, but always reevaluate the next day to get a better picture of what has initially happened due to treatment.
