The Meridian Organ Clock
21 March, 2008 36 Comments
The Chinese Acupuncture “Meridian Clock” is an example of a 24-hour cycle which portrays the body’s complete functions as well as its relationship with diet. There are 12 meridians, each taking the lead for two hours during the 24-hour period. Each of the 12 meridians has a dual flow, a coming and a going, marking 24 cycles per day.
The clock delineates which meridian system is activated and dominant at a specific time. Since these cycles happen automatically, we do not have to be preoccupied with them. However, if we know of these cycles, then we can make better decisions when it is generally best to eat, exercise and sleep.
TIME — MERIDIAN — COMMENTARY
5-7 a.m. — Large Intestine — Drinking water triggers bowel evacuation making room for the new day’s nutritional intake. Removes toxins from the night’s cleansing.
7-9 a.m. — Stomach — Stomach energies are the highest so eat the most important meal of the day here to optimize digestion/assimilation.
9-11 a.m. — Pancreas — The stomach passes its contents on. Enzymes from the pancreas continue the digestive process. Carbohydrate energy made available.
11 a.m.-1 p.m. — Heart — Food materials enter the blood stream. The heart pumps nutrients throughout the system and takes its lipid requirements.
1-3 p.m. — Small Intestine — Foods requiring longer digestion times (proteins) complete their digestion/assimilation.
3-5 p.m. — Bladder — Metabolic wastes from morning’s nutrition intake clear, making room for the kidney’s filtration to come.
5-7 p.m. — Kidney — Filters blood (decides what to keep, what to throw away), maintains proper chemical balance of blood based on nutritional intake of day. Blood to deliver useable nutrients to all tissues.
7-9 p.m. — Circulation — Nutrients are carried to groups of cells (capillaries) and to each individual cell (lymphatics.)
9-11 p.m. — Triple Heater — The endocrine system adjusts the homeostasis of the body based on electrolyte and enzyme replenishment.
11 p.m.- 1 a.m. — Gall Bladder — Initial cleansing of all tissues, processes cholesterol, enhances brain function.
1-3 a.m. — Liver — Cleansing of blood. Processing of wastes.
3-5 a.m. — Lung — Respiration. Oxygenation. Expulsion of waste gasses.
Sources: Organ Clock Image , Organ Clock Info
Dr. Thomas H. Kerr, D.C., P.C. 
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I’ve been searching the net for information about whether the body’s meridians follow the time zones of where you are or where you usually live, etc., whether to adjust for Daylight Savings Time or not.
I’ve decided to try the magnetic rings to be used while sleeping and would like to be aware of meridian time. (These rings suggested elsewhere, not on this website.)
I’m also curious why the rings are suggested for sleeping time only, as I’ve seen testimonials from people who wear them while waking.
I hope you can reply to my question about the time zones, and if you have any thoughts about the rings, it would be wonderful.
Thanks,
Linda Sue
Linda, thanks for checking out our blog! I’m not familiar with the magnetic ring technology, so I’m not able to address that question. Sorry.
As to the horary points/organ clock, yes, you should use the times in the time zone where you live, and also adjust for Daylight Savings. You can kinda just use your common sense with this. For example, if you live to the extreme west or east end of a time zone, that can make a difference of as much as 30 minutes. If you live toward the middle, it doesn’t really affect it.
Also, you can think of the organ clock cycle in bigger chunks, by dividing them by what element is associated with them. For example, 11pm-1am Gall Bladder and 1am-3am Liver are both ruled by the Wood element. So any symptoms you have during this four-hour span will fall under this category.
I hope this helps!
i am medical doctor, practicing allopathy. i would like to know from your side, is it possible to use herbal or any medicine according to timing of meridian clock to get best results. can you give me some example and detail regarding that. kindly send me reply on my email. with many thanks.
dr.anis.
I wake up most nights at 03.30 hours and I understand that this is in conjunction with the lungs and I was wondering exactly what this meant and what I could do to reslove the issue as I am often awake for and hour or more.
Many thanks
Sue
Sue – If you’re in the Charlotte area, I would have you come in for a consultation. If not, try to find someone in your area, preferably a chiropractor that uses Applied Kinesiology, or an acupuncturist. With a combination of treatments, possibly including some nutritional supplementation, they should be able to clear the blockages that are causing your problems. Good luck!
Hi Sue. In response to your question, if you are in the habit of having an alcoholic drink in the evening, then your liver has an extra burden to detoxify the alcohol which takes away from the energy available to the lungs when it is their turn to be worked on. It is a lack of oxygen which is waking you up.
I have been waking up at 4:00pm the last two nights I see that is in the Lung meridian. What element is associated with the lung meridian. I have in the past year been going to a chiropractor that has been working on balancing my meridians. It has helped so much I can’t tell you the hugh change in my life since. But I have had so many allergies he has cleared through NAET treatments. I was wondering if im allergic to something that specifically is effecting this meridian. Thanks for any help you can give me, Jenn
Jennifer, the lung meridian is associated with the metal element. Without examining you in person, I can’t know for sure, though it is possible that you have an allergy that is causing your symptoms. You can try working with a chiropractor or acupuncturist who uses Applied Kinesiology to diagnose, or do an allergy blood test. Good luck to you!
I am wondering if some feels more tired int he evenings to what meridian does this indicate is affected. I am very busy throughout teh day should I say heaps of yang activities with feeling more tired in the evening, could this say i am yin defiecient? what meridian
What times in the evening are you most tired? That will give you a clue as to what meridians are being affected. It is possible you are yin deficient, or the yin might be fine but you may have an excess of yang. Try visiting an acupuncturist, or chiropractor who uses Applied Kinesiology, or perhaps an Acutonics sound therapist for a more accurate diagnosis. Best of luck to you!
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Richard Holding (Gateway Initiation Procedure) gave me the insight – rather interestingly – that besides the yin-yang relation per element (wood, fire, metal, water, earth) the organ clock shows us relationships like lu-sp, li-st, cx-lv, th-gb, ha-ki, si-bl. And with that one has another set of combinations of meridians that can interact on each other to bring the body in balance. And they do work wonderful!
I’m waking at 1am ish to a pounding heart and this goes on till 3-4am.
Very annoying and threatening.
I take BP tablets (low dosage)
During the day I find I am blowing air a lot.
I’ve just returned a week ago from a european ‘vacation’ and jet lag is not my friend.
I am in Australia and Europe is 8 hrs behind us here.
????????????
Tim, first of all, use the times for *your* time zone. That is what your body is acclimated to.
Secondly, try to find a good acupuncturist. That shouldn’t be too hard in your part of the world. Let them know the symptoms you’re experiencing, and when they occur. I’d also recommend finding a good chiropractor who uses Applied Kinesiology as a diagnostic tool. Between the two of them, they should be able to get you back on track. Good luck, and let us know how things turn out!
Every evening I get a terrible itch, usually on my arms and neck, usually after I’ve eaten something—it doesn’t seem to matter if it is salty, sweet or alcoholic. Almost anything consumed at that time (9 o’clock-ish) makes me itch.
Cooper, I’d recommend you visit a good chiropractor, acupuncturist, or naturopath. Find someone who is into both eastern medicine and nutrition, and preferably uses applied kinesiolgy as well. (If you’re in the Charlotte, NC area, I’d be happy to see you.) Perhaps a combination of acupuncture and nutritional supplements might help you, but it is hard to know for sure without meeting you and doing some tests. Hope this helps!
Do you think that people who work nights and sleep days have an altered Meridian Organ Clock? What actually determines the timing of these body functions?
Dr. Kerr, We have a little boy (11mnth) Who since birth has had major problems with lots of food and sleep. The older he gets the worse he has gotten. Now he wakes every 30mins to an hr and crys. If I give him anything to drink whether it’s water, juice, or formula he has bad bad belly cramps. From the clock I see (midnite to 5is) we are dealing with the Gallbladdr, Liver. But none if this fits. Why these two things would be affected with just a simple drink.
Please help he needs relief. Thanks Rita
Rita, if you are in the Charlotte NC area, please call my office to set up a consultation. If you are not, please find a professional in your area. If you haven’t yet, visit your pediatrician. Then find a licensed chiropractor and/or acupuncturist in your area, preferably one who has experience working with young children. It is hard to know what is going on without seeing the child in person. Good luck!
i checked other sites about information on internal organs timming and found liver to be in 23:00-01:00 and the gall bladder in 01:00-03:00. You say otherwise. Which is accurate, because i am trying to write an article on this subject 🙂
Thanks for your comment! All of my sources put GB from 11pm-1am, and LIV 1am-3am. I’d be interested to see the sites that have them switched — it may be from a different school of Chinese medicine. You can post them here in the comments if you like.
I’d like to know why the elements of the meridian clock are not the same as in Chinese Astrologie. I.e. the wood hours in Chinese Astrologie are from 3-5 am (Tiger wood yang) and 5-7 am (Rabbit wood yin). Since the whole philosophy of the 5 Elements seems to be very logical and staright forward I find this rather confusing.
That’s an interesting question! Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer. I’ll look into that. If you come across the answer in your researches, please post it here so others can learn about it! Thanks!
Dr. Kerr,
I am a practicing Chiropractor. While I was at a seminar recently some one in passing mentioned the Meridian Clock. They said if you wake up everyday at the same time it may be due to something on this clock.
Well, everyday at 4:30 AM I am awake regardless of what time I go to sleep.
Truth be told I have never heard of this clock before! What steps do I next take in correcting this issue?
Thanks so much for any help!
P.S. Your website is so easy to find on this subject, what a great resource!
Glad you like the site! The 4:30am time is associated with the lung meridian. Obviously, without meeting you in person and doing some evaluation, I can’t say for sure what your problem is. But if you know a good acupuncturist, they should be able to help you figure out where your imbalances are, and correct them. If you’re in the Charlotte, NC area, come by my office! 🙂
Dear Dr. Kerr,
I was quite happy to have found your website and am especially grateful for that you allow for questions and aid in clearing up uncertainties.
I was searching through the meridian functions in attempt to find out how to enhance brain functions (strengthening the connection among the neurons), to discharge some of the amyloid build-up, and to prevent shrinkage of the brain. This is in attempt to help a family member in my house who lives with early Alzheimers. Would you have any suggestions?
I apologize for asking a second set of questions, but after having read the text above, I would like to live in accordance with the clock. As I understand, the meridian clock can help with best timing of when to eat, exercise, and sleep. I see that breakfast is best eaten between 7-9am. But how about lunch and dinner? And is there a best time to take vitamin supplements when they the body is most capable of utilizing it? Would you mind to point out also during which times are best to exercise? And when would it be most beneficial to go to sleep?
Thank you so much. I look forward to your answers.
Best regards,
Anna
Hi, I am Attila from Hungary.
I am wondering, which whas the first Chinese source that mentioned this system.
I have read several books about this topic, but up-to now, I can’t identify the source of this.
Could you, please, share me this information?
Thank you!
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Hi my name is Carolyn. I am in my late 40’s and have been waking up at 3am for about the last 6 years daily. am very glad to have found your web site and if the Meridian Clock is right than it is my liver and lungs at that time which are waking me up and it would be useful to know what I can do to remedy this so I can get a restful uninterrupted sleep. any suggestions. I have no experience with Chinese medicine. I have concered pre-menapause, as well as a sleep study which indicated nothing more then I snore occassionally.
Hi Carolyn,
I’m glad you found the article helpful! I recommend finding a reputable acupuncturist, or a chiropractor who practices applied kinesiology, in your area. They should be able to help you.
Good luck!
Why don’t “respected” academic institutions and schools of medicine offer chiropractic programs? When will the Noble committee recognize the achievements of Dr Palmer? If the US Congress can accept and recognize spinal sublexation, I don’t see why the “medical community” can’t.
Instead of sending expensive EMTs and Nurses, I’d like to see a DC on ambulance calls. They spend far more time and money learning their craft.
I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest
but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later. All the best
Useful information. Fortunate me I discovered your site by accident, and I am stunned why
this accident did not took place in advance! I bookmarked it.
Thank you so much for this wonderful information. I was alerted to your work through Simon Heather, and feel blessed to have received this.