Stomach Meridian: Transform, Nourish, Ground (Earth • 07:00–09:00)

The Stomach meridian is your daily engine for receiving and transforming nourishment. It sets the tone for stable energy, a calm mind, and steady mood. When Stomach Qi flows, appetite is clear, the belly feels warm, and thinking is grounded. When it’s stuck, we see bloating, reflux, foggy head, and cravings for quick comfort. This guide gives you simple steps to restore flow.

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

At-a-glance

• Peak time: 07:00–09:00 (best window for unhurried breakfast)

• Element: Earth

• Yin/Yang pair: Spleen Meridian (transform & transport)

• Opens to: Mouth • Manifests in: Lips

• Emotion: Worry / overthinking ↔ trust / grounded focus

• Season: Late summer (or the still point between seasons)

• Core functions: Receive food & drink, ripen/“prepare,” move Qi downwards, support fluids

Why the Stomach matters

Your Stomach sets your day’s foundation. It receives and begins the transformation of food and experience. Energetically, it works hand-in-hand with the Spleen Meridian to lift clear energy to the mind and muscles, and to manage dampness. Calm stomach, clear thinking. Agitated stomach, scattered thoughts.

For timing and pairings across the day, start with Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

Pathway (plain-language)

The channel begins below the eye, travels down the cheek and jaw, descends the neck and chest, passes the abdomen (near the navel line), then runs down the front of the thigh, crosses the knee and shin, and finishes on the second toe. Because it touches the face, chest, belly, and legs, Stomach work can ease head heaviness, chest tightness, bloating, and leg fatigue.

Daily rhythm: 07:00–09:00

This is your prime window for a warm, unhurried breakfast. Help the downward flow:

• Sit tall. Chew well. Put cutlery down between bites.

• Favour warm, simple foods (porridge, eggs, congee, stewed fruit).

• End with three long, soft exhales through the nose.

• Take a short 5–10 minute walk after eating if you can.

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

Common signs of Stomach imbalance

Physical

• Bloating or fullness after meals

• Reflux, burping, hiccups, nausea

• Variable appetite or strong cravings

• Tongue with thick/sticky coat, bad breath

• Heaviness or weakness in the legs

Emotional & mental

• Worry, rumination, “analysis paralysis”

• Craving sweetness for comfort

• Feeling foggy or sleepy after meals

If several apply, practise the routine below and pair with Spleen Meridian (dampness), plus Liver Meridian if stress tightens the ribcage.

Quick self-check (1 minute)

1. Appetite: Do you feel true hunger in the morning?

2. After meals: Light and steady or heavy and sleepy?

3. Burping/reflux: Most days or occasional?

4. Mind: Calm focus or looping worry?

If you answered “yes” to 2 or more concerns, focus on Stomach support for 7 days. Add Spleen Meridian if there’s dampness (sticky stools, coated tongue). Add Liver Meridian if frustration builds.

7–10 minute Stomach Qi Gong (daily)

Intention: “I nourish my body and ground my mind.”

1. Belly warm-rub (60 sec): Hands over abdomen, clockwise circles, slow breath.

2. Front-line sweep (60 sec): Brush from collarbones down to lower belly; encourage a gentle downward flow.

3. Thigh path brush (90 sec): From groin to knees along the front of the thighs; both sides.

4. Knee circles (60 sec): Hands over knees; slow circles to warm the joint and channel.

5. ST-36 stimulation (60 sec): Gentle tapping or pressing just below the knee (see acupressure).

6. Belly shake & sigh (60–90 sec): Soft jostling of the lower belly; exhale with a relaxed sigh.

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

Pair with Spleen Meridian practice if heaviness or fog persists. For reflux, keep moves gentle and avoid strong bending after meals.

Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)

• ST-36 (Zusanli): About four finger-widths below the kneecap, just outside the shin bone.
  Helps: energy, digestion, immune tone. Press-hold 10–20 seconds each side.

• ST-25 (Tianshu): About two finger-widths to either side of the navel.
  Helps: regulates bowels, bloating. Gentle, soft pressure only.

• ST-40 (Fenglong): Mid-lower leg, outer side of the shin bone.
  Helps: transforms damp/phlegm, clears heaviness and fog.

• ST-8 (Touwei): At the corner of the forehead near the hairline.
  Helps: head heaviness linked to digestion.

For chronic reflux or abdominal pain, keep pressure light and stop if symptoms worsen. You can also explore Conception Vessel (Ren) (midline points that soothe the stomach).

Breath that supports digestion

• Use 4-4-6 after meals to calm the system (inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 6).

• If heavy or foggy, try two rounds of sniff in, long sigh out.

• Keep breathing through the nose; mouth breathing dries and agitates.

If the breath won’t descend, anchor with Kidney Meridian in the evening.

Emotional harmony: out of worry, into trust

Worry knots the stomach. Give the mind a gentle task.

• Name one nourishing thing you’re doing right now.

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

• Place a hand on the belly; breathe out slowly three times.

• If rumination builds, soften the ribs and practise a short Liver Meridian release.

Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Earth)

• Warm breakfast: porridge, eggs, congee, soup, stewed fruit.

• Chew well: set down cutlery; pause between bites.

• Fluids: steady warm sips; reduce ice-cold drinks.

• Sweet taste: keep it natural and light (root veg, fruit).

• Movement: 5–10 minute walk after meals.

• Timing: finish dinner earlier; keep late-night snacking rare.

For bowel regularity, also support the Large Intestine Meridian. For chest tightness or short breath with meals, pair gentle Lung Meridian work.

How Stomach connects to other meridians

• Spleen Meridian: Core Earth pair—transform & transport; key for dampness.

• Liver Meridian: Stress smooths or stalls digestion; free the ribcage.

• Gallbladder Meridian: Supports bile flow and decision-making fatigue after heavy meals.

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

• Lung Meridian: Breath and posture influence the stomach’s downward flow.

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

When to seek medical advice

• Persistent reflux, black stools, blood in vomit or stool

• Unexplained weight loss, ongoing vomiting, severe abdominal pain

• Difficulty swallowing or food sticking

• New symptoms lasting longer than three weeks

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

7-day Stomach reset (simple plan)

Daily: 7–10 minutes of the routine + warm breakfast you can digest.

• Day 1: Belly warm-rub + ST-36.

• Day 2: Chew practice + slow 4-4-6 after breakfast.

• Day 3: Add Spleen Meridian support (simple, warm meals).

• Day 4: Short walk after meals.

• Day 5: Add ST-40 for heaviness/fog.

• Day 6: Free the ribs with Liver Meridian.

• Day 7: Reflect: energy, appetite, mood after meals?

Repeat, or progress to Large Intestine Meridian for morning rhythm.

FAQs on stomach meridian

What breakfast suits a sensitive stomach?
Warm and simple. Think porridge with stewed fruit, eggs with soft veg, or congee.

Can I practise with reflux?
Yes—keep moves gentle and upright. Avoid deep bends after meals. Use small doses of 4-4-6.

Why do I get sleepy after lunch?
Likely dampness or over-eating. Reduce portions, slow down, and add a short walk. Support the Spleen Meridian.

Which point helps most overall?
ST-36 is the classic. Press daily for 60–120 seconds total.

Is it normal to crave sweet foods when stressed?
Yes—Earth seeks comfort. Choose natural sweet flavours and support Liver Meridian to ease tension.

Related guides in the cluster

• Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide

• Spleen Meridian (Earth pair)

• Large Intestine Meridian (morning rhythm)

• Liver Meridian (stress & flow)

• Gallbladder Meridian

• Lung Meridian

• Conception Vessel (Ren)

Next steps

If this guide helped, 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 Spleen Meridian.

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