Liver Meridian: Smooth the Flow, Soothe the Ribs (Wood • 01:00–03:00)
Table of contents
Common signs of Liver imbalance
7–10 minute Liver Qi Gong (daily)
Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)
Emotional ease: from push to flow
Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Wood/Spring)
How Liver connects to other meridians
The Liver meridian is the planner and smooth mover. It keeps Qi flowing through the ribcage, hips and eyes, stores blood for recovery, and nourishes the tendons. When Liver Qi flows, you feel flexible in body and mind. When it’s stuck, the sides feel tight, moods spike, and decisions can stall. This guide gives you a clear, practical way to restore ease.
See the big picture in the cluster: Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide
At-a-glance
Peak time: 01:00–03:00 (night repair, emotional processing)
Element: Wood
Yin/Yang pair: Gallbladder Meridian (lateral line, decisions, temples)
Opens to: Eyes
Manifests in: Tendons, nails, ribcage/diaphragm
Emotion: Frustration/resentment ↔ kindness/decisiveness
Season: Spring (growth, movement)
Core functions: Smooths Qi, stores blood, nourishes tendons/eyes, supports planning and flexible response
Why the Liver matters
Think of the Liver as your traffic controller. It prevents bottlenecks in the ribs and hips so breath, digestion and mood can move. Freeing this channel often eases rib/side tightness, PMS irritability, temple/eye strain, and “stuck” choices. For the wider map, read Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide and pair with Gallbladder Meridian.
Pathway (plain-language)
The Liver channel starts on the big toe, travels up the inner foot and leg, crosses the inner knee (LV-8), continues along the inner thigh and lower abdomen, and spreads through the ribcage/diaphragm to the chest (LV-14). It interfaces closely with the Gallbladder Meridian along the sides.
Daily rhythm: 01:00–03:00
Use this window to support night repair:
Keep late meals light; finish 2–3 hours before bed.
Dim screens; soften the eyes and jaw.
A minute of side-body rib rolls before lights out.
If you wake here, take 3–5 quiet rounds of 4-4-6 breathing and release the jaw.
Want context through the day? See Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.
Common signs of Liver imbalance
Physical
Tight ribs/sides; sighing; shallow breath into the flanks
PMS irritability, breast tenderness, cramping
Temple/eye strain, headaches, light sensitivity
Tendon tightness (hamstrings/hip flexors); brittle nails; bitter taste
Emotional & mental
Irritability, resentment after suppressing “no”
Indecision or abrupt swings between push and pause
Restlessness in the late evening; scattered planning
If several apply, explore the routine below and cross-reference with Gallbladder Meridian (temples/sides) and Spleen Meridian (damp/fog).
Quick self-check (1 minute)
Side-bend: Any pinch at ribs/hips?
Eyes/temples: Tight or tired by evening?
Mood: Short fuse, sighing, or “held in” frustration?
If two or more are “yes”, focus on Liver support for seven days and add Gallbladder Meridian if temple/side tension features.
7–10 minute Liver Qi Gong (daily)
Set your intention: “I soften the sides and move with kindness.”
Opening shake (60 sec): Gentle bounce; relax jaw and shoulders.
Rib rolls (60–90 sec): Hands on the sides of your ribs; small circles to free the flanks.
Side glides (2 × 30–45 sec each): One arm overhead; lean to the opposite side. Breathe into the open ribs.
Inner-leg sweep (60 sec): Brush from inner ankle up to inner thigh along the Liver line; slow exhale.
LV-3 press (60 sec): Top of foot between 1st–2nd metatarsals; press-circle 6–8 breaths per side (clears stagnation).
LV-14 soft circles (45 sec): Under the chest along the lower ribs; feather-light circles to soothe the diaphragm.
Close (30 sec): Hands at the sides of your ribs; three quiet 4-4-6 breaths.
Pair with Gallbladder Meridian for temples/IT band and Pericardium Meridian if chest feels pressured.
Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)
LV-3 (Tàichōng): Top of foot between 1st–2nd metatarsals.
Helps: Smooths Qi, eases irritability/temple tension.LV-14 (Qímén): Along lower ribs under the chest (very gentle).
Helps: Rib/diaphragm tightness, sighing.LV-8 (Qūquán): Inner knee crease.
Helps: Nourishes Yin/blood; softens tendons.LV-2 (Xíngjiān): Web between big and second toe.
Helps: Heat/anger spikes, red/irritated eyes.GB-34 (Yánglíngquán) — partner line below outer knee.
Helps: Tendons/IT band; great with LV-3.
Use light–moderate pressure; breathe out through sensations. Stop if pain or dizziness appears.
Breath that smooths the flow
4-4-6 is your baseline — longer exhales soften the ribs.
Add a quiet hum on the exhale to melt temple tension.
If foggy/heavy after meals, take a 3–5 minute nose-breathing walk, then return to 4-4-6.
For timing and pairings, see Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.
Emotional ease: from push to flow
Label it (“tight + prickly”), then do 60 seconds of rib rolls + LV-3.
Write one line: “One kind next step is…”. Do that, then pause.
If resentment builds, pair with Gallbladder Meridian to free the sides.
If chest pressure rises, add Pericardium Meridian. If breath won’t descend, support Lung Meridian and Kidney Meridian.
Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Wood/Spring)
Greens & bitters: Rocket, watercress, dandelion; squeeze of lemon — support bile flow.
Gentle rhythm: Regular meals, earlier dinners; lighter on alcohol/spice late.
Eyes & screens: Soften gaze; frequent micro-breaks.
Movement snacks: Side bends, hip circles, gentle twists through the day.
Coordinate with Spleen Meridian (transform damp), Stomach Meridian (post-meal ease), and Gallbladder Meridian (temples/decisions).
How Liver connects to other meridians
Gallbladder Meridian: Pair channel — lateral line, decision-making.
Spleen Meridian & Stomach Meridian: Digestive flow; reduce damp/fog.
Pericardium Meridian & Triple Burner Meridian: Vent evening heat, ease chest.
Lung Meridian & Kidney Meridian: Anchor breath; steady the system.
Bladder Meridian & Governing Vessel (Du): Posture/back line support.
Dive deeper via Gallbladder Meridian and Spleen Meridian.
When to seek medical advice
Severe or persistent right-upper abdominal pain (especially with fever or vomiting)
Jaundice (yellowing of skin/eyes), very dark urine or pale stools
Sudden, intense headache with neurological signs
Qi Gong complements, not replaces, medical care. If in doubt, contact your GP or 111.
7-day Liver reset (simple plan)
Daily: 7–10 minutes of the sequence above. Sprinkle 4-4-6 after dinner and before bed.
Day 1: Rib rolls + LV-3.
Day 2: Side glides + gentle hip circles.
Day 3: LV-14 soft circles + 3 hum-exhales.
Day 4: Lighter evening meal; short nose-breathing walk.
Day 5: Inner-leg sweep + LV-8.
Day 6: Pair with Gallbladder Meridian routine.
Day 7: Reflect: What changed in temple ease, side-body freedom, or mood?
FAQs on liver meridian
Why do I wake around 01:00–03:00?
It aligns with the Liver’s clock window — the body may be processing emotion or food. Keep lights low, soften the jaw, and take 3–5 rounds of 4-4-6.
Best point for irritability and temple tension?
LV-3 is a classic start; pair with GB-34 and a quiet hum-exhale.
Can Liver work help period symptoms?
Gentle rib/side releases and LV-3 often ease PMS irritability and cramping. Keep intensity low around menstruation.
What if rich foods make me foggy or tense?
Go lighter in the evening; add bitters/greens and a short walk. Support Spleen Meridian and Stomach Meridian.
When should I practise?
01:00–03:00 is the classic window (support before bed), but consistency wins — late afternoon/evening is great.
Related guides in the cluster
Gallbladder Meridian (pair channel)
Next steps
If this guide helped, deepen your practice with our live sessions and full routines: Bright Beings Academy Memberships. To integrate emotional healing with movement, start at Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide and then practise the paired Gallbladder Meridian.
I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)
