Understanding you body’s daily qi cycle
by Jenn Goodman
Time as measured by clocks and calendars may be a human invention, but that doesn’t make our bodies any less attuned to 24-hour cycles. Understanding the path of qi circulation—in other words, when and where the qi is most active in the body—is key to making good choices for our well being.
Lung (fèi)
Time: 3:00-5:00 a.m.
Element: Metal
It’s the pre-dawn of a new day and there couldn’t be a more optimal, or practical, place for the qi; after all, if you’re not breathing, there isn’t much point to the rest of it. If you’re lucky, you’ll be awakened by a surging in-breath as the qi returns to the Lung for another lap around the body. Some scholars of Chinese medicine theorize that waking up during Lung time may be a pathological disharmony attributed to Gallbladder deficiency. Sufferers of chronic lung congestion will notice that their coughing spells are particularly feisty during these hours. Regardless of why you find yourself awake, the early morning hours are a great time for breath based practices (meditation, qi gong, pranayam). So, provided that you’re adequately rested from the night before, rise up, take a deep breath in, and…
Large Intestine (dà cháng)
Time: 5:00-7:00 a.m.
Element: Metal
…Let it out. There’s nothing mysterious or esoteric about the function of Large Intestine, known as the Drainage Official, or “the drainer of the dregs.” Legend has it that a certain well known residential acupuncture program in the UK would rouse its students daily at 5 a.m. so they could experience the thrill of a Large Intestine-qi-aided bowel movement. If nature calls during this window, or some time reasonably close to it, well done. Go forth and eliminate!
Stomach (wèi)
Time: 7:00-9:00 a.m.
Element: Earth
The sun has risen, the birds are chirping; nature has called and you’ve answered. What to do next? Hint: the qi has entered the Stomach, which is ready and waiting to operate at its peak efficiency. So, should you: a) gulp down a cold smoothie as you’re rushing out the door; b) grab a donut and/or coffee for the road; c) skip breakfast because you’re not hungry, or d) sit down to a nutritionally balanced, calorically generous meal of cooked, warming foods? Keep in mind that the farther away from Stomach time, the less optimally your digestion is functioning. In other words, a healthy breakfast in the early to mid-morning is a really good idea. The heavy late night supper or midnight snack, not so much.
Spleen (pí)
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Element: Earth
The Spleen is an idea rather unique to Chinese medicine, so best to think of it as working in harmony with its earth element partner, the Stomach. The TCM Spleen is charged with transporting and transforming the nutrients digested in the previous meal (ahem) into various sorts of qi…the different forms of energy that support our very existence. Here’s the rub: when there’s nothing there for the Spleen to work with, it gets sleepy. And the next time you decide you do want to eat something, you may not be able to wake it up—like a computer running Windows 7. A low or nonexistent appetite in the morning is not “normal;” it’s a sign of Spleen not functioning well. Luckily the Chinese pharmacopoeia contains dozens of herbs that specialize in remedying this very problem. Once you’ve revived the Spleen, you can keep it going strong with some simple dietary adjustments—which always include a good breakfast.
Heart (xīn)
Time: 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
Element: Fire
When you’re waking up for a 3 a.m. meditation, 11-1 truly is the heart of the day. It’s also a good time to enjoy a hearty meal, ideally with choice companions. The Heart, ruler of the mind and the spirit, a.k.a. the Emperor, demands nothing less.
Small Intestine (xiăo cháng)
Time: 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Element: Fire
Time to rest and digest. Both physically and metaphysically, Small Intestine is said to govern the sorting of the pure from the impure. This pertains to the sorting of essential elements from food
waste, but also to the realm of ideas and decision making. Whenever possible, help this process along by falling into the nearest hammock and having yourself a nice siesta.
Urinary Bladder (páng guāng); Kidney (shèn)
Time: 3:00-5:00 p.m; 5:00-7:00 p.m.
Element: Water
The Kidney is the seat of our essence as living beings. Archetypally it’s known as the Minister of Health, and variously as the Root of Life, the Mansion of Fire and Water, the Residence of Yin and Yang, Channel of Life and Death…and so on. Operating as a yin/yang pair, Kidney (yin) also provides the qi for the Urinary Bladder (yang), which, like its intestinal brethren, is primarily concerned with elimination. Unfortunately for many people, the water element occupies high stress time: after working hard all day, a new set of responsibilities are waiting at home. As afternoon gives way to evening and the yin begins to rise, a dip in energy is to be expected. But if you find yourself totally wiped out at the end of the day, it’s time to think about incorporating some qi tonics and Kidney-nourishing foods into your routine. Remember that 7 p.m., being the farthest away from 7 a.m., means the Stomach is not equipped to handle major activity, so best to keep the evening meal light.
Pericardium (xīn bāo)
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Element: Fire
Ah, sundown. The evening meal is finished and it’s time to gather ‘round the fire with friends and loved ones. Historically, this is what people did—and in cultures that have not been overwhelmed by sources of “artificial” fire, i.e., television, computers, handheld electronic distractions, etc.—they still do. If you’re inspired to reclaim your roots, put your electronics to bed (starting with the ones emitting blue LED light), kindle an actual flame, and surround yourself with good company the way that the xīn bāo (“heart wrapper”) surrounds the xīn.
Triple Burner (sān jiāo)
Time: 9:00-11:00 p.m.
Element: Fire
The idea of the Triple Burner doesn’t translate well outside of Chinese medicine, but together with the Gallbladder, where the qi is headed next, the Triple Burner is the “pivot” point between the inner and outer world; from waking life to the dream space. So think of this time as your window for winding down and finding your way into bed at a reasonable hour. Ideally you’ll be deeply immersed in calm and/or joyful sleep as the qi prepares to make its final lap.
Gallbladder (dăn); Liver (gān)
Time: 11:00-1:00 a.m.; 1:00-3:00 a.m.
Element: Wood
Now in a peaceful slumber, you are entering the deepest, darkest recesses of the yin. Liver and Gallbladder operate as a yin/yang pair; classical texts refer to the Gallbladder as the judge, responsible for making decisions of courage and wise judgement, and the Liver as the general, the great planner and strategizer. But more than a planner, the Liver is also the dreamer. On the spirit level it’s said to govern the Hun; the movement of the hun is what constitutes our dreams—daydreams and night dreams—and is the source of our deepest creativity. Night owls know well that Liver time (1-3 a.m.) can be a fertile ground for projects and ideas. But the importance of good quality sleep during the wee hours can’t be overstated. While there may be nearly as many possible causes for insomnia as there are people who suffer from it, if you find yourself regularly awake during this time, there is a reasonably good chance that a Liver disharmony is involved. Without adequate rest, Liver will eventually become depleted and exhausted—taking all of your creativity, inspiration, and imagination with it.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jenn Goodman is a student in the master’s program at Emperor’s College. She studied acupressure and energetics with master teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area and has practiced various modalities of bodywork around the world. She is also a freelance editor. Jenn currently lives and practices in West Hollywood.
If you want to learn more about qi, check out the article “What Is Qi.”