Do you feel better at some times of the day and worse at others? Do you find it difficult to go to sleep, but feel tired in the morning? Are you more frequently ill during certain times of the year?

There are reasons why your health changes with the times of the day and the seasons of the year. It’s because certain organ systems are more active during various periods, something the Chinese and other traditional systems of medicine recognized thousands of years ago.

For instance, according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) the liver energy becomes most active around midnight, which is why people with a congested liver will often find it difficult to relax and go to sleep. Likewise, they won’t wake up feeling refreshed.

The stomach energy, on the other hand, is most active in the morning, which is why hydrochloric acid production is better at breakfast time than it is at dinner. This means that most people will be able to digest protein better in the morning than they will in the evening. 

There is also an annual cycle of health. Ever notice that you’re more likely to get depressed and catch a cold during the winter months? People are also more likely to be irritable and aggressive in the summer.

In this issue, we share vital information about the meridian clock in TCM and the Western 4-element cycle of the day and year. We’ll explain how you can use when you get sick to figure out why you get sick, by understanding the relationship between organ systems and times and seasons. We’ll also talk about herbs and supplements you can use at different times of the year to keep yourself healthy.

You can read and share the issue online below.

Strategies for Health by Steven Horne