Spleen Meridian: Centre, Convert, Steady (Earth • 09:00–11:00)

The Spleen meridian is your organiser-in-chief. It transforms food into usable energy, moves fluids, and grounds the mind so you can focus without the fog. When Spleen Qi flows, digestion feels easy, limbs feel light, and thinking is clear. When it’s stuck, we see heaviness, sticky digestion, sugar crashes and worry. This guide gives you practical steps to restore balance.

See the big picture in the cluster: Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide

At-a-glance

• Peak time: 09:00–11:00 (prime window for grounded focus)

• Element: Earth

• Yin/Yang pair: Stomach Meridian (receive, ripen, move down)

• Manifests in: Muscles and limbs • Opens to: Mouth • Lips reflect Spleen

• Emotion: Worry/rumination ↔ trust/centredness

• Core functions: Transform and transport food/fluids, lift clear Qi to the mind, hold blood in vessels, manage dampness

Why the Spleen matters

Think of Spleen as your “conversion and carry” system—turning breakfast into steady power, and moving fluids so you don’t feel heavy or puffy. Energetically it lifts clarity to the brain, so overthinking eases and decisions feel simpler. The Spleen works hand-in-hand with the Stomach Meridian; together they make up Earth, the foundation of daily energy.

For the full 24-hour rhythm and pairings, see Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

Pathway (plain-language)

The Spleen channel starts at the big toe, travels up the inside of the foot and lower leg, passes the inner knee and thigh, moves through the lower abdomen (crossing near the navel line), and continues up to the chest. Because it runs the inner legs and abdomen, Spleen work helps leg heaviness, bloating and mental fog.

Daily rhythm: 09:00–11:00

Use this window to think clearly and move steadily:

• Tidy your desk/body posture; sit tall through the crown.

• Choose warm, simple mid-morning fuel if needed (stewed fruit, oat cakes, soup).

• Take a 5–10 minute grounding walk or do two minutes of inner-leg brushing.

For what flows before/after this window, check Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

Common signs of Spleen imbalance

Physical

• Heaviness, bloating, sticky stools or loose stools

• Sugar cravings, energy dips after eating

• Puffy limbs/face, fluid retention

• Weakness or fatigue in legs and thighs

• Tongue with thick/sticky coat

Emotional & mental

• Worry, overthinking, analysis paralysis

• Brain fog, poor concentration

• Seeking sweet foods for comfort

If several apply, use the routine below and pair with Stomach Meridian. If frustration knots the ribcage, add Liver Meridian. If breath won’t settle at night, support Kidney Meridian.

Quick self-check (1 minute)

1. After meals: Do you feel heavy or sleepy?

2. Cravings: Are you reaching for sweets to stabilise mood?

3. Stools: Are they loose/sticky rather than formed?

4. Mind: Are you looping the same thoughts?

If “yes” to 2 or more, focus on Spleen support for 7 days. Add Stomach Meridian if reflux/burping is frequent.

7–10 minute Spleen Qi Gong (daily)

Intention: “I choose simple nourishment and steady energy.”

1. Inner-leg brush (90 sec): From big toe up the inside legs to groin, both sides.

2. Belly warm-rub (60 sec): Clockwise circles, soft nose breathing.

3. Knee & ankle circles (60 sec): Gentle mobility to free the channel.

4. Earth stance (2 × 30 sec): Feet hip-width, knees soft, hands on belly; breathe slow and quiet.

5. Spleen lift (90 sec): Inhale sweep hands from hips to under ribs (centre); exhale release down the sides.

6. SP-6 tap (60 sec): Light fingertip tapping above the inner ankle (see acupressure; avoid in pregnancy).

7. Close (30 sec): Hands on belly; small smile; three slow breaths.

Pair this with Stomach Meridian work and a warm, unhurried breakfast routine.

Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)

• SP-6 (Sanyinjiao): About four finger-widths above the inner ankle bone, behind the shin.
  Helps: fluid balance, digestion, calm. Avoid in pregnancy.

• SP-9 (Yinlingquan): Inside of the knee, just below the joint line in a soft hollow.
  Helps: dampness/heaviness, knee area fluid.

• SP-3 (Taibai): Base joint of the big toe on the inner foot.
  Helps: tonifies Spleen for steady energy.

• SP-10 (Xuehai): On the inner thigh, above the knee (find a tender spot).
  Helps: blood and skin clarity.

Use light–moderate pressure, breathe out through sensations, and stop if pain or dizziness appears. For central settling, you can also explore Conception Vessel (Ren).

Breath that clears heaviness

• Make 4-4-6 your baseline (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6).

• If foggy/heavy, add two rounds of sniff-in, long sigh out before walking.

• Keep nose breathing to support moisture and calm.

If chest tightens with worry, soften the ribs with Liver Meridian and open the front line with Stomach Meridian.

Emotional harmony: from worry to trust

Worry is Earth overworking. Give it steadiness:

• Put one hand on belly, one on chest; breathe slowly three times.

• Write one line: “Today I choose simple, steady steps.”

• Tidy one small space (desk, inbox, bag) to tell the body “we’re organised.”

If ruminating at night, anchor with Kidney Meridian and a short walk after dinner.

Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Earth)

• Meals: Warm, simple, mostly cooked; avoid iced drinks.

• Sweet taste: Choose natural sweet (root veg, fruit) in modest amounts.

• Chew well: Cutlery down between bites.

• Rhythm: Regular mealtimes; finish dinner earlier.

• Movement: Short post-meal walks; gentle leg work to circulate fluids.

• Environment: Reduce clutter and visual noise.

For bowel regularity, add the Large Intestine Meridian. For breath support and skin clarity, pair with Lung Meridian.

How Spleen connects to other meridians

• Stomach Meridian: Earth pair—receive/transform; key for reflux and appetite clarity.

• Liver Meridian: Smooths stress; frees ribcage when worry tightens the chest.

• Kidney Meridian: Anchors evening calm; supports fluids.

• Large Intestine Meridian: Downstream elimination; links morning rhythm.

• Lung Meridian: Posture and breath that steady digestion.

Explore timing and pairings via Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

When to seek medical advice

• Persistent diarrhoea or constipation over three weeks

• Blood in stool, black/tarry stool, or severe abdominal pain

• Ongoing unexplained bloating with weight loss

• New symptoms that don’t settle

Qi Gong complements, not replaces, medical care. If concerned, contact your GP or 111.

7-day Spleen reset (simple plan)

Daily: 7–10 minutes of the routine + warm, simple meals.

• Day 1: Inner-leg brush + belly warm-rub.

• Day 2: SP-3 and SP-9 presses.

• Day 3: Reduce cold/raw; add stewed fruit.

• Day 4: Short walk after each meal.

• Day 5: Add SP-6 taps (avoid in pregnancy).

• Day 6: Free the ribs with Liver Meridian.

• Day 7: Reflect: energy, cravings, stool quality?

Repeat, or move to Stomach Meridian if reflux and belching persist.

FAQs on spleen meridian

Why do I crave sweets when tired?
Earth seeks comfort. Choose natural sweet in small amounts, and prioritise warm, cooked meals.

Is SP-6 safe in pregnancy?
No—avoid SP-6 during pregnancy. Focus on gentle brushing, posture and breath.

What time is best to practise?
09:00–11:00 supports focus, but any consistent time works—especially after meals.

Which single point is most useful?
SP-3 to tonify, SP-9 for dampness. Many people benefit from gentle daily ST-36 too (see Stomach Meridian).

Related guides in the cluster

• Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide

• Stomach Meridian (Earth pair)

• Large Intestine Meridian (downstream rhythm)

• Liver Meridian (stress & flow)

• Kidney Meridian (fluids & evening calm)

• Lung Meridian

• Conception Vessel (Ren)

Next steps

If this guide served you, deepen your practice with our live sessions and on-demand routines: Bright Beings Academy Memberships. For timing and pairings, start at Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide, then practise with your Earth pair, the Stomach Meridian.

I look forward to connecting with you in my next post.
Until then, be well and keep shining.
Peter. :)