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All About the Chinese Body Clock

Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC,
CHT — Written by Krystle Vermes on March 17, 2020

About Health benefits Research Takeaway

You may have heard of the body’s biological clock before, but what about
the Chinese body clock?

Rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, the Chinese body clock is based

on the idea that you can make the most of your energy and specific
organs by using them when they’re at their peak.

The peaks of individual organs within the body vary. For example, the
lungs are at their height between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. every day.

But does this mean you should be up at the crack of dawn to make the
most of these organs by exercising? Are there any significant advantages
to prescribing to the theories behind the Chinese body clock?

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this concept, why it’s believed to
be beneficial, and what the research
A D V E R T I S Esays.
MENT
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What’s the Chinese body clock?

To understand the Chinese body clock, you first need to grasp the
concept of qi. In short, qi is a word used in Chinese medicine to describe
energy. It consists of energy in every sense of the word. For example,
Earth has qi, as does your body, and even thought and emotion.

It’s also important to understand that qi is in a constant state of flux. It’s

continuously transforming as it moves within the body or between people
and objects.

The Chinese body clock is built on the concept of qi. During 24 hours, qi
is thought to move in 2-hour intervals throughout the organ systems.
While you’re sleeping, qi is believed to draw inward to fully restore your
body.

One of the most important 2-hour intervals is between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.,
which is when the liver is believed to be cleansing the blood. It’s during
this time frame that the body begins to prepare for qi to move outward
from the body again.

This table shows which organs correlate to the 2-hour intervals of the
Chinese body clock.
 2-hour interval Organ and peak functionality

Lung: This period is when the lungs are at their

peak energy. It’s is believed to be an ideal
3–5 a.m.
time to exercise, as opposed to later in the
day.

Large intestine: This period is thought to be

when you should give yourself enough time to
5–7 a.m.
honor the elimination function of the large
intestine.

Spleen: The spleen is thought to be linked to

the stomach, which is in charge of receiving
9–11 a.m. food and drink before ultimately fermenting
them. During this period, it’s believed that qi is
being propelled upward by the spleen.

Heart: Because the heart represents

peacefulness, it’s essential to reduce stress
11–1 p.m.
during this period, according to those who
prescribe to the Chinese body clock.

Small intestine: Heavier meals are believed to

1–3 p.m. be more tolerated during this period, as the qi
expands and begins to crest at midday.

Bladder/kidney: It’s believed that the kidney is

in charge of containing qi, and it’s directly
3–5 p.m. connected with the bladder. Together, they
excrete unwanted waste materials within the
body.

Pericardium: The pericardium is believed to

be the protector of the heart. This period is
7–9 p.m.
when qi is supposedly regulated to prevent
symptoms, such as nausea and vomiting.

Triple burner: The triple burner refers to the

organ system as a whole, and this period is
9–11 p.m.
thought to be when it generates the most
amount of heat.

Liver: Those who prescribe to the Chinese

body clock believe it’s important to give your
liver as little to process as possible during this
1–3 a.m.
period so it can focus on its several cleansing
functions. This means eating your last meal of
the day early and making sure it’s light.

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How can you use the clock to benefit your health?

By embracing the concept of the Chinese body clock, it’s believed that
you can potentially make the most of your specific organs and bodily
functions when they’re at their peak.

For example, according to the Chinese body clock, the lungs peak
between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. Getting up early for a morning exercise during
this time may help you maximize the potential of these organs.
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What the research says

It’s worth noting that there’s little scientific research behind whether the
Chinese body clock is accurate, as well as whether prescribing to these 2-
hour time intervals can help maximize your organ use.

That being said, this doesn’t mean that the body is missing an internal
clock. There’s an ample amount of research that supports the notion that
the human body has a biological clock, which affects everything from
sleep  to athletic performance.

Your body also has circadian rhythms  , which help with body
temperature regulation, eating habits and digestion, and other bodily
functions.

Takeaway
The Chinese body clock focuses on different organs within the body, as
well as qi, or energy. It’s believed that by using specific organs at certain
times of the day, you can make the most of your body and harness your qi
when it’s at its peak.

However, there’s little scientific evidence behind whether prescribing to

the Chinese body clock is helpful or beneficial to your health.

Last medically reviewed on March 17, 2020

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