Chinese Body Clock

The Chinese Body Clock, also called TCM Body Clock or Chinese Meridian Clock, explains why you may feel differently at different hours. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each meridian is more active at specific hours. This means that if you have an unbalanced meridian, it is most likely that you will experience symptoms during the hours when this particular meridian is most active. For example, if you have problems with your stomach, you may feel worse between 7-9 am, because the meridian for the stomach is most active during these hours.



easy-to-read TCM body clock chart with info on symptoms and healthy daily routines at the bottom!

However, an unbalanced stomach meridian will not necessary manifest as abdominal pain. Instead, you may experience nausea, sore throat, nose bleeding, or gum toothache. An unbalanced stomach meridian can also be manifested on the mental and emotional levels. Problems of letting go of things, situations, places, or people, are often related to an unbalanced stomach meridian. This means that an unbalanced meridian can be manifested on all levels: physical, mental and emotional, according to the Chinese Body Clock.

Furthermore, certain activities are best performed at certain times, according to the TCM Body Clock. As we follow our biological and natural rhythm, we will automatically help balancing our meridians. Use the Chinese Body Clock table below to identify what particular body organ / meridian that needs attention, and learn how to balance your body. The Chinese Meridian Clock table shows the time period for each body organ / meridian, associated symptoms, and balancing activities.

CHINESE BODY CLOCK – TCM MERIDIAN CLOCK

Time Period

Body Organ  TCM Meridian

Associated Symptoms of Unbalanced Meridian

Balancing Activities Best Time To…

05:00-07:00

Large Intestine

Physical level: constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, sore throat, tooth ache, runny nose, nose bleeds, finger numbness, tinnitus, deafness. Emotional & mental level: guilt, defensiveness, feeling stuck, difficulties in letting go of situations/ places/ people

Wake Up & Drink Water!This is the best time to drink a lot of water, have your first bowel movement, and go for a brisk walk, according to TCM Body Clock. It is the worst time to have caffeine, because it’s a diuretic and your body needs a lot of water for healthy intestine and colon. Drink a large glass of warm water with lemon instead.06:45 Sharpest Blood Pressure Rise

07:00-09:00

Stomach

Physical level: no appetite in the morning, stomach pain, fluid retention & swelling, vomiting, nose bleeding, sore throat, bleeding gums, facial paralysis, lack of appetite, constant hunger, constipation. Emotional & mental level: despair, disgust,problems with healthy eating habits

Eat Breakfast! Make sure to eat fibers, proteins, and low GI-carbs. Breakfast should be the largest meal of the day, according to Chinese Body Clock – so don’t eat too much in the evening and go to bed at 10 pm to stimulate your morning appetite. 07:30 Melatonin Secretion Ceases . 08:30 Colon Activated – Evacuation Likely

09:00-11:00

Spleen

Physical level: sweet craving, tiredness, bloating,sluggishness, poor appetite, lack of thirst, vomiting, diarrhea, weakness, anemia, yellow skin/ eyes, allergies, problems with spleen/ pancreas. Emotional & mental level: difficulties concentrating, jealousy, worry, low self esteem, disappointments

Work & Be Active! The spleen is associated with mental powers, supports metabolism, and is responsible for converting nutrients into energy. This is why it’s so important to eat a healthy breakfast, according to TCM Body Clock. 10:00 Alertness Peaks

11:00-13:00

Heart

Physical level: heart problems, abnormal heartbeat, thirst, bitter taste in mouth, yellow skin/ eyes, red complexion, incoherent speech. Emotional & mental level: frightfully sad, restlessness, lack of passion/ inspiration/ joy, uncontrollable crying/ laughter, mental confusion, poor memory/ concentration, bipolar disorder

Eat Lunch & Socialize! The lunch should be balanced, nutritious, warm, filling, and not too big. According to the Chinese Meridian Clock, this is the time to enjoy conversations, connect with people, and to cooperate. Reach out to people, be of service, and find your passion. Studies show that most heart-related incidents occur during this time frame, so don’t overwork your heart between 11am-1pm.11:00-13:00 Greater Risk of Heart-Related Incidents

13:00-15:00

Small Intestine

Physical level: energy crash, pain in the lower abdomen, stiff neck, hearing problems, yellow eyes, sore throat, swollen chin/ face, facial paralysis, pain in shoulder/ arm/ elbow. Emotional & mental level: insecure, gullible, vulnerable, feeling of abandonment

Solve Your Problems & Get Organized! This is the best time for problem solving, sorting out issues & problems, and for getting organized, according to the TCM Body Clock. If you experience an energy crash between 1-3 pm and reach for caffeine/ sugar, it can be a result of skipping meals or eating unhealthy, so make sure to eat healthy at regular times. 14:30 Coordination Peaks

15:00-17:00

Bladder

Physical level: headaches, pain in the neck/ back/ along the back of the leg, problem with bladder, eye problems, night blindness, color blindness, red/ swelling/ itching eyes, facial paralysis. Emotional & mental level: timidity, irritation

Work, Study & Drink Tea! This is the best time for efficient work, and to have your afternoon tea, according to the Chinese Body Clock. To detox your body,drink a lot of water between 3-5 pm, since toxins are passed in urine.15:30 Fastest Reaction Time

17:00-19:00

Kidneys

Physical level: tired, poor circulation, cold limbs, incontinence, night time urination, night sweats, dry throat, asthma, constipation, diarrhea, poor appetite, dizziness, tinnitus, lowering of the libido, weak back/ knees.  Emotional & mental level: anxious, fear, terror, poor memory, insomnia, stressed out

Eat Dinner & Restore Your Energy! This is the best time to have dinner, but not too much, and to restore your energy, according to the TCM Clock. Your kidneys store your energy reserves, and if feel tired during these hours, ask yourself what thoughts and actions you spend your energy reserves on. You are only responsible for your own life, and no one ease’s. Take care of yourself, put yourself first & love yourself more! 17:00 Cardiovascular Efficiency & Muscle Strength Peaks . 18:30 Blood Pressure Peaks

19:00-21:00

Pericardium

Physical level: heart & chest pain, abnormal heartbeat, red face, armpit swelling, elbow spasm. Emotional & mental level: mental & emotional problems, unresponsive, inability to express emotions, depleted, hurt, extreme joy, mania

Socialize, Flirt & Have Sex!The pericardium is responsible for the circulation, and associated with the brain & reproductive organs. This is the best time for socializing, flirting, having sex, getting pregnant, soaking the feet in hot water, and massaging the arch of both feet, according to the Chinese Body Clock! Avoid big evening meals between 7-9pm. 19:00 Body Temperature Peaks

21:00-23:00

Triple Warmer

Physical level: stiff neck, water retention, urinary difficulties, incontinence, problems with ears/ eyes/ chest/ throat, tinnitus, abdominal swelling, swelling of cheek, diseases of the thyroid and adrenal glands, pain in the shoulder/ arm. Emotional & mental level: confusion, hopelessness, paranoia

Relax & Chill Out! Triple Warmer is associated with the thyroid & adrenals, is responsible for energy transfer, and controls temperature & metabolism. This is the best time to chill out, according to the TCM Body Clock. Don’t think too deeply. Relax and read for a while instead. Avoid eating after 9 pm. 21:00 Melatonin Secretion Commences

23:00-01:00

Gallbladder

Physical level: migraine, headaches, dizziness, nausea,frequent sighing, bitterness in the mouth, gall bladder problems, yellow skin/ eyes, ear diseases, pain in jaw/ outer corner of the eyes, hip problems. Emotional & mental level: resentment, bitterness, indecisiveness, mental illness

Sleep & Regenerate… Now it’s time to sleep and regenerate, according to the Chinese Body Clock. If you have gallbladder stones, it is most likely to experience pain during these hours. You may want to consider gallbladder flush & liver detox to cleanse these organs. 22:30 Colon Deactivated – Evacuation Suppressed

01:00-03:00

Liver

Physical level: blurred vision, low back pain, PMS, pain in the lower abdomen, hernia, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, red face/ eyes, vomiting, breast tenderness, painful/ irregular menstruation, liver problems. Emotional & mental level: rage, irritability, frustration, depression

Deep Resting & Dreaming…If you often wake up during these hours, it’s because the liver is overwhelmed by the detoxing process, according to the TCM Body Clock. Too much alcohol, prescription drugs, or poor diet can cause liver stagnation. You may want to consider a healthier life style. It can also be a good idea to cleanse your liver. 02:00 Deepest Sleep

03:00-05:00

Lungs

Physical level: Cough, respiratory problems, shortness of breath, asthma, sore throat, catching colds easily, stuffy/ runny nose, sweating, pale, weak voice, shoulder/ back pain. Emotional & mental level: grief, sadness

Sleep Soundly…If you cough between 3-5 am, it’s because your lungs are expelling toxins during these hours, according to Chinese Meridian Body Clock. If this happens often, it’s an indication that you need to make some changes in your diet / lifestyle.04:30 Lowest Body Temperature