DrJoyWellness
🌿 Spleen & Stomach
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Five Element: Earth
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Color: Yellow
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Season: Late Summer / Transition Between Seasons
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Direction: Center
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Taste: Sweet (naturally, mildly sweet)
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Supports: Mouth, Lips, Muscles, Limbs
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Foods: Yellow-colored, warm, cooked, and mildly sweet foods
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Emotion: Worry, Overthinking, Pensiveness
Liver & Gallbladder Introducation
Liver & Gallbladder Meridian Clock
Chen Time (7:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Stomach Meridian is in Command Chen Time, from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, is governed by the Stomach Meridian, which runs along the front of the body. It is one of the longest meridians and influences not just the digestive organs but also areas like the knees and tops of the feet. For example, knee pain and dorsum foot pain can often be traced back to Stomach Meridian imbalance. Many young women who experience acne may find that treatment must begin with regulating the Stomach Meridian, as it is often weakened by frequent consumption of cold drinks, which injure the Stomach Qi. From Zi Time (11 PM) through Mao Time (7 AM), the body undergoes a full redistribution and preparation for the day. Chen Time is when the body most needs nutrient replenishment, and it is also the time when Yang Qi is at its peak. That makes this the ideal time to eat breakfast, as digestion is strongest. 📛 Skipping breakfast over time can lead to serious depletion of the body. On the other hand, eating a large and nutritious breakfast will not cause weight gain — because the Spleen and Stomach Meridians are actively transforming and transporting nutrients efficiently during this time. In TCM, it is said: "Follow the laws of nature when eating and sleeping, and disease will be far away." Many modern habits emphasize a heavy dinner and neglect breakfast or lunch — but this is contrary to natural rhythms. One should always eat breakfast, and eat it well. In TCM philosophy, breakfast is as precious as “spring rain” — deeply nourishing and vital for growth.
Si Time (9:00 AM – 11:00 AM): Spleen Meridian is in Command Si Time, from 9:00 to 11:00 in the morning, is when the Spleen Meridian is most active. The Spleen is responsible for transformation and transportation — this is the time when the breakfast consumed earlier begins to be digested and distributed. In TCM terms, the Stomach is like a cooking pot, and the Spleen is the fire beneath it. Digestion depends on the Spleen’s ability to "cook" food and extract essence from it. Among the Zang-Fu organs, the Spleen is known as the “Postnatal Root of Life”. All internal organ function and nourishment rely on the Spleen’s ability to process food into usable Qi and Blood. ⚠️ Don’t underestimate muscle weakness — it is often rooted in Spleen deficiency. As people age, symptoms like general fatigue, poor muscle tone, or drooping features become common. For example, someone who had large, defined eyes in youth may develop smaller, sunken eyes in old age — a subtle sign of declining Spleen function. A healthy Spleen manifests in full, moist lips and strong, developed muscles. In contrast, signs like weight loss, drooling, edema, or swelling indicate dysfunction of the Spleen system.