Center for Sport, Health and Wellbeing
Chinese organ clock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chinese organ clock

The Chinese organ clock is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which assumes that vital energy (qi) flows through our body along predetermined meridians. Our organs are supplied with energy by the main meridians - in this context, the organ clock indicates which organ is supplied with the most energy at a particular time. The organs that are supplied during our sleep time in particular need a lot of energy. According to TCM, if you help your organs to regenerate by resting, you will feel better.

Infographic of a circle with different times and body organs representing the circadian rhythm.
What happens when in the body?
  • 9 to 11 p.m. - Triple warmer: Allow thoughts! No organ is assigned here, but the coordination of the energy cycles. This is the best time for relaxation
  • 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. - Gall bladder: off to bed! The body now shuts down and regenerates. This takes energy, so this is the best time to sleep
  • 1 to 3 a.m. - Liver: Low performance! The liver is now detoxifying the body at full speed and needs a lot of energy to do so. You are getting colder and need plenty of rest. Alcohol and nicotine are particularly detrimental during this phase
  • 3 to 5 o'clock - Lungs: take a deep breath! Support your lungs during sleep if you sleep with the window open or ventilate properly before going to bed
  • 5 to 7 a.m. - Large intestine: digest! If you are already awake, support your digestion with a lukewarm glass of water
  • 7 to 9 a.m. - Stomach: time for breakfast! Don't think too much, but concentrate on your food. Warm dishes such as porridge or semolina porridge are best
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