The four-hour period from 23:00 to 3:00 is the time of Wood. From 23:00 to 1:00, or the Zi period, is when yang qi begins to grow, and the gallbladder channel is on duty or in control. If people do not get good-quality sleep during this period, this will inevitably affect the growth of yang qi and the physiological functions of the gallbladder. For example, having a timid and suspicious personality may occur due to dysfunction of the gallbladder.
After gallbladder time, from 1:00 to 3:00 in the morning the liver channel is on duty. In Chinese medicine, the liver (or Gān) stores blood, and when people are asleep, the blood not being used will flow back to liver. By regulating the storage and distribution of blood in the body, the liver functions to meet the different needs of the zang-fu organs. Frequently staying up late over a long period of time will interrupt the balance of qi and blood inside the body, and affect liver functions such as free flow of qi and the regulation of emotions.
Simply put, the key to health preservation during these two periods is to have a good night’s sleep, but this is often easier said than done. For those with poor sleep or insomnia, Chinese medicine offers many alternatives to pharmaceutical drug therapy, such as herbal teas or porridge (dietary therapy) with mind-calming effects. In addition, foot baths with Fleeceflower Stem (Yè Jiāo Téng, Caulis Polygoni Multiflori) and other Chinese materia medica, Chinese medicinal pillows with Spiney Date Seed (Suān Zăo Rén, Semen Ziziphi Spinosae), and massage are also effective options.
The foot shaoyang gallbladder channel
Acupoints on the gallbladder channel are mainly used for diseases of the head, eyes, ears and throat, mental disorders and other diseases and symptoms that occur along the pathway of the channel.
Before introducing the gallbladder in Chinese medicine, we should make clear that the meanings of many terms in Chinese and modern medicine are not the same. In Chinese medicine, gallbladder (or Dǎn) refers to a system rather than a simple, anatomical organ. It functions are storing and discharging bile. Another important function of it is to govern decision, that is, the gallbladder is responsible for people's ability make judgments and decisions.
The foot jueyin liver channel
Acupoints on the liver channel are mainly used to treat liver, gynecological and external genitalia diseases, as well as diseases and symptoms along the pathway of the channel.
Liver (or Gān) in Chinese medicine governs the free flow of qi, assists digestion, and regulates qi movement and emotions. It stores the blood and regulates blood flow and volume; it controls the sinews and can nourish the sinews and vessels of the whole body; it opens into the eyes and the ability of the eyes to see relies on the nourishment of qi and blood through the liver channel. The relationship between women and the liver is particularly close. There is a theory in Chinese medicine that "the liver is the prenatal (congenital) basis for women". In clinical practice we also find that liver depression and emotional issues due to liver dysfunction frequently contribute to menstrual disorders.
