Did you know that every organ in the body has a time of the day or night when it is most active? In the table below you will find listed the organ, the time in which it is most active, and the association to be drawn from this information.
| Time | Organ | Association |
| 5 A.M. to 7 A.M. | Large Intestine | You find yourself needing to use the restroom to eliminate not only liquid but also solid waste. |
| 7 A.M. to 9 A.M. | Stomach | This is a good time to eat a hearty breakfast |
| 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. | Spleen | The digestion process is taking place |
| 11 A.M. to 1 P.M. | Heart | Bitter tastes feed the heart. This is a good time for a cup of coffee |
| 1 P.M. to 3 P.M. | Small Intestine | Time for some lunch |
| 3 P.M. to 5 P.M. | Urinary Bladder | Elimination of liquid wastes |
| 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. | Kidneys | Take in some nourishing liquid such as an herbal tea that supports the kidneys |
| 7 P.M. to 9 P.M. | Pericardium | Have a light meal |
| 9 P.M. to 11 P.M. | Triple Heater | Relaxation |
| 11 P.M. to 1 A.M. | Gall Bladder | Sleep |
| 1 A.M. to 3 A.M. | Liver | The body is working to restore itself |
| 3 A.M. to 5 A.M. | Lungs | Deep sleep |
From 5A.M to 7A.M. the large intestine is most active. This is the time when one should use the rest room to eliminate solid and liquid waste. This should happen naturally. If you find that you are prone to constipation then a good strong cup of coffee, without sugar or milk, should do the trick. On the other hand if you find that you have diarrhoea then a ginger tea or spicy soup can help.
From 7 A.M. to 9 A.M. the stomach is the most active. This is a good time to have a filling breakfast. The stomach is pumped and ready to break down all that lovely goodness. It is also good to remember to chew the food properly before swallowing as digestion does start in the mouth.
From 9 A.M. to 11A.M. the spleen does a lot of its work. The spleen is an organ that is well known in Traditional Chinese Medicine yet is rarely mentioned in Western medicine. Physically the spleen is a storehouse of old red blood cells as well as a supporter of the immune system by producing white blood cells during infection. Energetically the spleen supports the stomach to aid it in heating up the food so that it can be broken down properly. When we eat or drink things that are extremely cold, like ice-cream or ice-water, we put a strain on the spleen and stomach to heat up the food. So it is best to minimise or avoid these things, especially if you are prone to digestive problems.
From 11A.M. to 1P.M. the heart is most active. There are certain tastes that support certain organs. For the heart bitter and spicy tastes such as coffee, raw cocoa, or cinnamon are great to help support the heart and aid in circulation. Having raw cocoa or coffee with a sprinkle of cinnamon is great at this time.
1P.M. to 3P.M. is time for the small intestine to do its work. Now is a good time to have a nourishing lunch. Once the food is broken down in the stomach it is pushed into the small intestine where it is absorbed into the body to nourish the cells.
From 3P.M. to 5P.M the urinary bladder is the most active. If you find that you go more frequently to the bathroom to eliminate liquid waste at this time then it is because your bladder is busy doing its job.
5P.M. to 7P.M. is the time for the kidneys. At this time it is recommended to drink something warm and supportive to the kidneys such as a cup of herbal tea like dandelion, celery root or hydrangea tea. It is also recommended to take a break and have a 20 minutes cat nap.
7P.M. to 9P.M. is the time that corresponds with the pericardium. The pericardium is the sack that is found around the heart. It protects the heart by keeping it lubricated and protected from any infections that may be affecting other organs. At this time one should unwind and spend good quality time in love with family members and partners or significant others.
From 9P.M. to 11P.M the triple heater is active. In Western medicine the triple heater may be known as the autonomic nervous system. This is the time that one should be relaxing and settling down into sleep as the autonomic nervous system balances out the energy of the body and helps to process all that has happened during the day.
11P.M. to 1A.M is the gall bladder’s turn. A heavy meal before bedtime is not a good idea as it can put a strain on the gall bladder. If you find yourself restless at this time then it may be your gall bladder is working hard to help digest what you ate. It is always best to have a light meal in the evening.
1A.M. to 3A.M. is the time reserved for the liver. This is the time when a lot of the important work, such as cleansing the blood and creating the energy needed to refuel the cells, is done. It is important to note that if you are finding yourself awake at this time of the night then your liver may need some evaluation and support.
3A.M. to 5A.M. is the time of the lungs. During this time of deep sleep the lungs are most active in bringing the much needed oxygen to the cells so that they can convert the food eaten into energy. If you find yourself waking up at this time having trouble breathing then your lungs may be in need of support.
Information courtesy of Dr Igor Cetojevic and Francesca Pinoni from their book Your Health It’s a Question of Balance pub. 2000
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