Part II: TCM - The Spleen & Sadness
Contemporary Western culture has everything – technology, hygiene, comfort, but what price do we pay for our indulgent lifestyles? We are commonly overstressed, overworked, overtired and always worrying. Our food is progressively depleted of essential nutrients (filled with excess sugar, preservatives, artificial color, flavor enhancers and sprayed with toxic pesticides). It’s no wonder our bodies struggle to absorb the few nutrients we actually manage consume. This impacts inevitably upon our health, especially the often-overlooked spleen, which is accountable for transforming food and drink into Qi and blood.
According to many centuries of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spleen imbalances lead to tiredness, easy bruising, varicose veins, bloatedness, sallow complexion, eating disorders, digestive and bowel problems, loose stools, worry, poor memory and concentration. On a more positive note, when our spleen element is in balance we acquire the ability to concentrate, our intention is positive and focused.
The ancient Chinese physicians observed that the spleen is vulnerable to ‘dampness’ and living in damp conditions has a detrimental effect on the spleen. As the liver and the spleen are physiological ‘neighbors’, when the energy of the spleen is weak, the liver energy rapidly ‘attacks’ and depletes it. The stomach is the spleen’s yang counter-part and is also very sensitive to spleen imbalances. This liver – spleen – stomach connection is often the cause of digestive discomfort.
Throughout the twenty-four hours of each day, every two hours each of our twelve organs experience an abundance
of qi, known as the Qi cycle. The time of day associated with an abundance of spleen qi is 9-11am. In order to nurture our spleen, and allow it to fulfill its function of extracting the essence from food, it is best to treat breakfast as the most important meal of the day, and to eat a simple dinner early. Also regular, light meals, eaten slowly and without excessive flavoring help the spleen digest nutrients efficiently.
The spleen meridian begins bi-laterally at the inner big toenail and runs up the inner legs, ending mid way along the sides of the rib cage. An acupuncturist will insert acupuncture needles into this meridian if there is an imbalance, in order to encourage the spleen qi of the body to realign itself. It is also helpful to practice some gentle muscle toning exercise upon rising, to prevent the spleen qi from becoming constricted.
Late Summer Season:
Late Summer is the season related to the spleen, the element is earth, the taste is sweet and its color is yellow. In order to maintain productive spleen energy, try not to let the spleen qi become too ‘dry’ or too ‘wet’ (sometimes likened to the earth when it rains and turns to mud). Eating the following beneficial foods is a perfect place to begin balancing your spleen.
Foods which nourish the spleen include:
Carrots, rice, barley, squash, pumpkin, parsnips, apples, ginger, garlic, cardamom
Exercise:
The spleen is involved in blood production, however, if one does not exercise poor quality blood results and weight problems follow. Abdominal muscle strengthening exercises are essential to keep the spleen functioning well. A gentle regime of sit-ups and thigh toning (as the spleen meridian runs up the legs) squats will benefit your spleen.
A great product for the Spleen:
Spleen Activator TCM Concentrate, Chinese [Digestive] contains the same herbs found in Chinese Spleen Activator but in a highly concentrated blend. This combination of 17 Chinese herbs, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, may nutritionally act as a digestive system tonic and provide energy to a tired body. The Chinese call this formula wen zhong, which can be translated to mean “warm the center.” According to TCM, this formula is designed to strengthen a “weak” earth element, nourish spleen function and support the pancreas. It may help provide relief from occasional nighttime leg cramps. Its primary herbs—ginseng, licorice and atractylodes—may help to provide energy and strengthen the digestive system.
Symptoms of Spleen Yang Deficiency
Loose stools with undigested food
Abdominal distension and pain
Symptoms feel better with heat or pressure
Water retention
Difficult urination
Leukorrhea
Feel cold
Fatigue
Poor appetite
Bloating and gas
Weak limbs
Tongue
Pale, swollen, wet tongue
Related Conditions
Gastric or duodenal ulcers
B
Gastritis
Hepatitis
According to many centuries of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), spleen imbalances lead to tiredness, easy bruising, varicose veins, bloatedness, sallow complexion, eating disorders, digestive and bowel problems, loose stools, worry, poor memory and concentration. On a more positive note, when our spleen element is in balance we acquire the ability to concentrate, our intention is positive and focused.
The ancient Chinese physicians observed that the spleen is vulnerable to ‘dampness’ and living in damp conditions has a detrimental effect on the spleen. As the liver and the spleen are physiological ‘neighbors’, when the energy of the spleen is weak, the liver energy rapidly ‘attacks’ and depletes it. The stomach is the spleen’s yang counter-part and is also very sensitive to spleen imbalances. This liver – spleen – stomach connection is often the cause of digestive discomfort.
Throughout the twenty-four hours of each day, every two hours each of our twelve organs experience an abundance
of qi, known as the Qi cycle. The time of day associated with an abundance of spleen qi is 9-11am. In order to nurture our spleen, and allow it to fulfill its function of extracting the essence from food, it is best to treat breakfast as the most important meal of the day, and to eat a simple dinner early. Also regular, light meals, eaten slowly and without excessive flavoring help the spleen digest nutrients efficiently.The spleen meridian begins bi-laterally at the inner big toenail and runs up the inner legs, ending mid way along the sides of the rib cage. An acupuncturist will insert acupuncture needles into this meridian if there is an imbalance, in order to encourage the spleen qi of the body to realign itself. It is also helpful to practice some gentle muscle toning exercise upon rising, to prevent the spleen qi from becoming constricted.
Late Summer Season:
Late Summer is the season related to the spleen, the element is earth, the taste is sweet and its color is yellow. In order to maintain productive spleen energy, try not to let the spleen qi become too ‘dry’ or too ‘wet’ (sometimes likened to the earth when it rains and turns to mud). Eating the following beneficial foods is a perfect place to begin balancing your spleen.
Foods which nourish the spleen include:
Carrots, rice, barley, squash, pumpkin, parsnips, apples, ginger, garlic, cardamom
Exercise:
The spleen is involved in blood production, however, if one does not exercise poor quality blood results and weight problems follow. Abdominal muscle strengthening exercises are essential to keep the spleen functioning well. A gentle regime of sit-ups and thigh toning (as the spleen meridian runs up the legs) squats will benefit your spleen.
A great product for the Spleen:
Spleen Activator TCM Concentrate, Chinese [Digestive] contains the same herbs found in Chinese Spleen Activator but in a highly concentrated blend. This combination of 17 Chinese herbs, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, may nutritionally act as a digestive system tonic and provide energy to a tired body. The Chinese call this formula wen zhong, which can be translated to mean “warm the center.” According to TCM, this formula is designed to strengthen a “weak” earth element, nourish spleen function and support the pancreas. It may help provide relief from occasional nighttime leg cramps. Its primary herbs—ginseng, licorice and atractylodes—may help to provide energy and strengthen the digestive system.
Symptoms of Spleen Yang Deficiency
Loose stools with undigested food
Abdominal distension and pain
Symptoms feel better with heat or pressure
Water retention
Difficult urination
Leukorrhea
Feel cold
Fatigue
Poor appetite
Bloating and gas
Weak limbs
Tongue
Pale, swollen, wet tongue
Related Conditions
Gastric or duodenal ulcers
B
Hepatitis
Good post! thank you
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Really helpful!
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