7:00 to 9:00 is the time of Chen and is when the stomach channel is on duty. At this time, qi and blood flow into the stomach channel. According to Chinese medicine, the stomach or Wei is the source of qi and blood production and also governs reception and decomposition of food. Chen period is the best time for breakfast. The key to health preservation is to have a nutritious meal at the beginning of the day.
9:00 to 11:00 is the time of the Si period when the spleen channel is on duty. People are most energetic and vigorous at this time. Taking exercise during this period when we have time is suggested to maintain a good mental and emotional state.
The foot yangming stomach channel
Acupoints of the stomach channel are mainly used for gastrointestinal diseases, pain in the head and face, eyes, mouth, nose and teeth, diseases related to the mind, and other disorders along the pathway of the channel, such as abdominal distension, edema, stomachache, vomiting, sore throat and epistaxis.
The stomach (or Wèi) in Chinese medicine is the “reservoir” of water and grain (food and drink), and is responsible for accepting and decomposing food and drink, and transferring it downward to the small intestines for further digestion.
The foot taiyin spleen channel
Acupoints of the spleen channel are mainly used for diseases of the spleen and stomach, gynecological and external genitalia diseases, and other disorders along the pathway of the channel, such as stomachache, abdominal distension, loose stool and jaundice.
The spleen (or Pí) in Chinese medicine is essential to the human body because it is considered to be "the foundation of acquired (postnatal) constitution". It has four main functions: governing transportation and transformation of food and drink; governing ascent of the clear, that is, transferring the essence of food and drink upward to generate qi and blood (assisted by the heart and lung) so as to nourish the whole body; controlling the blood so as to prevent it from flowing outside the vessels; governing the muscles and four limbs.
In China, the public is quite familiar with the concept "heavy dampness qi", an abnormal condition that is quite common and closely related to the spleen. When the spleen fails in its functions of transformation and transportation, water metabolism will be affected, and water will gather in one place and thus phlegm-damp will be generated. The dampness can affect functions of the spleen, further aggravating its failure of transformation and transportation.
Chen period is the best time for breakfast, but when there is dysfunction in the spleen and stomach, the body cannot get enough nutrition to support the work and study we want to do in the morning. Zusanli (ST 36), a point of the stomach channel, is effective for gastrointestinal diseases. Regular massage at this point can strengthen the body and prolong life.
Location: On the lower leg, 3 cun inferior to Dubi (ST 35, with the knee flexed, in the depression formed by the lateral foramen of the patella), and one finger breadth (the width of the middle finger) lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia. “Cun” or “body-inch” is a unit of length that is measured with one's own fingers instead of rulers. 3 cun is equal to the breadth of one's four fingers when closed.
Stimulating ST 36 can treat a variety of gastrointestinal diseases and other abdominal disorders by invigorating stomach qi and regulating qi and blood circulation. The stomach channel is considered to contain abundant qi and blood (Channels contain varying amounts of qi and blood.). As he-sea point, ST 36 is exactly where the qi and blood of the channel are most exuberant. Therefore, stimulating ST 36 can promote the regulation of qi and blood circulation to the greatest extent. With abundant qi and blood, people enjoy a healthy and prolonged life. Therefore, regular massage at ST 36 has the effects of strengthening the body and promoting longevity.
This is most suitable for patients with deficiency syndrome, which may include symptoms of palpitation, shortness of breath, consumptive disease, dysuria, enuresis, weakness of lower limbs, paralysis, dizziness, tinnitus, blurred vision, organ ptosis or insomnia. When it is used for actually treating diseases and conditions, Baihui (DU 20), Shenque (RN 8), Guanyuan (RN 4), Qihai (RN 6), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and other points are often added.
Although the Si period is the time of day when people usually feel the most vigorous , some may be sleepy, tired or even dizzy. This is usually due to dysfunction of the spleen in transformation and transportation, resulting in phlegm-damp and water stagnation. In view of this, Fenglong (ST 40) of the stomach channel is the first point we consider because it is quite effective at fortifying the spleen and dispelling phlegm-damp.
Location: At the anterolateral side of the lower leg, 8 cun above the lateral malleolus of the ankle, two fingers (using the middle finger) breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
As the most effective point for dispelling phlegm, ST 40 regulates the spleen and stomach, fortifying the spleen and dispelling phlegm. It can also rectify qi to relax the center, harmonize the stomach and direct counterflow qi downward. In addition, this point regulates qi and blood, is good for resuscitation, and calms the mind. In addition to improving the basic constitution of the body, including sub-health status, ST 40 is also commonly used for bronchitis, bronchial asthma, neurasthenia, schizophrenia, epilepsy, hypertension, angioneurogenic headache, dizziness, gastrocnemius spasm and so on.
It can be massaged twice a day, morning and evening, for 5 minutes each time. It is most effective if one massages it until one has a strong sensation of soreness and distension (up to the point of tolerance). Since the local muscle where ST 40 is located is relatively large, the index, middle and ring fingers are used together when pressing and kneading the point.
