Triple Burner (San Jiao) Meridian: Disperse Heat, Move Fluids, Unstick the Evening (Fire • 21:00–23:00)

The Triple Burner (San Jiao) is your body’s regulator — coordinating fluids, heat, and the smooth distribution of Qi through the upper (chest), middle (digestion), and lower (elimination) burners. When it flows, your temperature, mood and digestion feel balanced. When it’s stuck, you may feel chest pressure, bloating, throat tightness, restless evenings, or fluid retention. This guide gives you a calm, practical way to restore ease.

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

At-a-glance

• Peak time: 21:00–23:00 (evening regulation, cooling, settling)

• Element: Fire (Minister Fire)

• Yin/Yang pair: Pericardium Meridian (protects the Heart, eases chest)

• Focus areas: Ears/side of head, ribcage/flanks, back of arm to ring finger

• Emotion: Overwhelm ↔ cooperative ease

• Core functions: Disperses heat, coordinates fluids and metabolism across Upper/Middle/Lower Burners, helps “vent” pressure so the system can switch off

Why the Triple Burner matters

Think of San Jiao as your thermostat and plumbing. It vents excess heat from the upper body, helps the middle digest and transform, and clears fluids below. Freeing this channel often eases “hot head–cold feet,” evening restlessness, rib tightness, and post-meal bloat. For the wider map, see Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide and pair with Pericardium Meridian.

Pathway (plain-language)

The channel begins at the ring finger (TB-1), travels along the back of the hand/forearm, around the elbow to the upper arm and shoulder, then up the side of the neck to the ear and temple (TB-21–23). Internally it links the three burners, coordinating fluids and heat with Pericardium Meridian.

Daily rhythm: 21:00–23:00

Use this window to vent heat and switch off:

• Warm shower; dim lights by 21:00.

• Forearm strokes from elbow → wrist; soft rib-side rolls.

• Two minutes of 4-4-6 breathing with a gentle “haa” on the exhale.

• A short screen sunset; choose audio/print.

Want timing context through the day? See Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

Common signs of Triple Burner imbalance

Physical

• Evening heat/redness in the face, headachy temples or ear fullness

• Rib-side tightness, bloating after meals, sluggish fluids (puffy fingers/ankles)

• Sore outer elbow/forearm line; restless hands at night

Emotional & mental

• “On edge” in the evening; hard to downshift

• Irritability when too hot or after heavy meals

• Feeling scattered when routines change

If several apply, explore the routine below and cross-reference with Pericardium Meridian and Spleen Meridian (damp/transform).

Quick self-check (1 minute)

1. Heat: Is your face/neck warm at night while feet feel cool?

2. Fluids: Do rings or ankles feel puffy by evening?

3. Ribs: Are the flanks tight or tender?

If two or more are “yes,” focus on Triple Burner support for seven days. Add Pericardium Meridian if chest pressure or anxiety shows up.

7–10 minute Triple Burner Qi Gong (daily)

Set your intention: “I disperse heat, move fluids, and settle.”

1. Opening shake (60 sec): Gentle bounce; loosen wrists, jaw, shoulders.

2. Forearm sweep (60–90 sec): Stroke from elbow to wrist along the back-of-forearm line; breathe out slowly.

3. Rib rolls (60 sec): Hands on ribs; small circles around the sides to free the flanks.

4. Doorway lean (2 × 30–45 sec): Forearm to doorframe, step through gently; feel space in chest and ribs.

5. TB-5 press (60 sec): Two finger-breadths above the wrist on the outer forearm; press-circle each side.

6. Temple/ear ease (45 sec): Soft circles at the temples and around the ear (TB-21–23).

7. Close (30 sec): Hands over chest and belly; 3 rounds of 4-4-6 with a soft “haa”.

Pair with Pericardium Meridian for chest ease and Spleen Meridian for after-dinner heaviness.

Targeted acupressure (2–4 minutes)

• TB-5 (Wàiguān): Outer forearm, two finger-breadths above wrist crease.
  Helps: Disperses heat, calms evening agitation, helpful for head/ear.

• TB-3 (Zhōngzhǔ): Back of hand, between ring and little finger.
  Helps: Temple headaches, “hot head,” finger puffiness.

• TB-17 (Yìfēng): Behind the earlobe in a small hollow.
  Helps: Ear fullness, jaw/neck tension; breathe out slowly.

• TB-21–23 (Ear/temple zone): Around the ear and temple.
  Helps: Vent pressure/heat; gentle circles only.

Use light–moderate pressure; breathe out through sensations. Stop if pain or dizziness appears.

Breath that vents heat

• 4-4-6 is your baseline; add a soft “haa” on exhale to release warmth.

• If keyed up, hum quietly on the exhale for 3–5 rounds.

• If heavy after dinner, take a slow 2–5 minute nose-breathing walk, then return to 4-4-6.

For broader timing and pairings, see Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide.

Emotional easing: regulate, don’t suppress

• Label the state (“warm + wired”), then do 60 seconds of forearm sweeps + 3 long exhales.

• Swap late screens for soft audio; let the nervous system coast.

• If words get sharp, pause, press TB-5, and exhale a gentle “haa.”

If rib tightness persists, add Liver Meridian. If fluids feel boggy, support Spleen Meridian and Kidney Meridian.

Lifestyle & seasonal tips (Evening/Fire)

• Cooling, simpler dinners; go lighter on spice/alcohol late.

• Warm shower then dim lights by 21:00.

• Hydration: Steady sips; reduce icy drinks.

• Posture habit: “Ribs wide, jaw soft.” Short rib rolls after work.

Coordinate with Pericardium Meridian (chest ease) and Spleen Meridian (transform damp).

How Triple Burner connects to other meridians

• Pericardium Meridian: Partner — disperses heat and buffers shock.

• Liver Meridian: Frees ribcage tension; smooth flow.

• Spleen Meridian & Stomach Meridian: Transform damp/food stagnation.

• Kidney Meridian & Bladder Meridian: Fluid axis and back-line calm.

• Lung Meridian & Heart Meridian: Upper burner breath/heat balance.

• Dive deeper via Pericardium Meridian and Spleen Meridian.

When to seek medical advice

• New chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, or severe headache

• Persistent fever or signs of infection

• Sudden swelling of legs/ankles with breathlessness

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

7-day Triple Burner reset (simple plan)

Daily: 7–10 minutes of the sequence above. Sprinkle 4-4-6 after 21:00.

• Day 1: Forearm sweep + TB-5 press.

• Day 2: Doorway lean + rib rolls.

• Day 3: Temple/ear circles + 3 humming exhales.

• Day 4: Screen sunset; warm shower; lights low by 21:00.

• Day 5: Lighter evening meal; brief walk.

• Day 6: Pair with Pericardium Meridian routine.

• Day 7: Reflect: What changed in heat, sleep onset, or fluid ease?

FAQs on triple burner meridian

Is the Triple Burner a physical organ?
No — it’s a functional network coordinating upper/middle/lower processes (breath, digestion, elimination).

Best point for evening agitation?
TB-5 is a great start. Pair with 4-4-6 and a soft “haa” exhale.

Can this help ear/temple tension?
Yes — add TB-17 (behind the earlobe) and gentle temple circles (TB-21–23).

What if I overheat after dinner?
Go lighter and earlier with meals; brief walk, then forearm sweeps + 4-4-6. Support Spleen Meridian.

When should I practise?
21:00–23:00 is classic, but any consistent, calm slot works.

Related guides in the cluster

• Meridians & Organ Clock — Complete Guide

• Pericardium Meridian (partner)

• Spleen Meridian

• Stomach Meridian

• Liver Meridian

• Kidney Meridian

• Bladder Meridian

• Heart Meridian

• Lung Meridian

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 Pericardium Meridian.

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