The spleen's function is to extract nutrients from food, transform it into energy and produce blood that feed nourishment into other organ systems.
In the Five Element Theory of Chinese Medicine, the spleen works with the stomach and is associated with the Earth element which is about nourishment. The Yin organ of the spleen meridian has a common imbalance of being in deficiency. Eating in a hurry, excess cold food, skipping meals, and eating poor-quality food can deplete the spleen's energy.
The therapeutic approach focuses on tonifying and strengthening the spleen meridian in Late Summer or in between transitions of seasons, or if there is an imbalance in the spleen like lack of appetite, abdominal distention, cold in the stomach, or fatigue. Another factor that affects the spleen is excessive thinking, studying, concentrating, constant stress or upset, and being obsessive.
Spleen energy peaks at 9am - 11am, which is when the spleen meridian is on duty. This is the time for:
△ exercise/work
△ clear thinking (do the most taxing task of the day)
△ convert food to Qi
△ digestion
Practices to nourish your spleen Qi: Eat slowly and chew well to digest properly. Have nourishing warm meals and tea. Establish a balance of work and exercise routine so you do not get carried away with overwork, stress, or worry. The virtue of the spleen energy is trust, when you transform worry and doubt, you naturally learn to trust life and trust the universe.
The key to nurturing your spleen Qi is to have a smooth flow of energy in the spleen meridian and the suggested practices that I created this month in the Online Healing Studio is specifically to help Yang Sheng for your spleen meridian.
If you are ready to journey into the Yang Sheng way, join me in my Online Healing Studio!
May you be filled with good Qi,
Carol x