Why do people like to scratch their heads when they are confused? When we can't figure things out and lack decisiveness, we often do one action: scratch our heads. In fact, we are scratching the area where the gall bladder meridian passes through, stimulating the gall bladder meridian. Does the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon also mention this act of scratching the head?
The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon of Medicine states: "All eleven organs depend on the gall bladder."
In ancient times, time was calculated using the method of time divisions. In comparison to the present time, the "zi" period refers to the time between 11 PM and 1 AM. In ancient times, this was known as the "big hour," which is a two-hour period. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the gall bladder meridian is active during the "zi" period, hence the term "gall bladder meridian governing."
To understand this issue, let's talk about the mechanism of sleep first. According to the concept of health preservation, sleep and wakefulness alternate between yin and yang. When yin energy is abundant, we fall asleep, and when yang energy is strong, we wake up. Therefore, the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon states: "When yang energy is depleted, one sleeps; when yin energy is depleted, one slumbers." According to the theory of sleep in the Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon, the "zi" period is when yin and yang meet, when water and fire are balanced. This moment is called "he yin," which means "the union of yin." It is said that "when the sun sets and yang energy is depleted, yin receives energy. At midnight, a great union occurs, and all people sleep. This is the union of life and yin." Therefore, it is recommended to have a long sleep during midnight because yang energy is depleted and yin energy is predominant.
In ancient Chinese culture, the "zi" period was highly valued. It is when yang energy begins to emerge, coinciding with the darkest time of the night. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon has a saying, "All eleven organs depend on the gall bladder." In our daily lives, we often experience feeling drowsy around 8 or 9 PM, but become wide awake around 11 PM. Why is that? It's because yang energy starts to emerge at this time.
What is the gall bladder meridian? In Chinese medicine, "organs" are referred to as "storage organs." Any storage organ involves three levels: form, energy, and spirit. "Form" refers to its material basis. Don't think that if the gall bladder is removed, the gall bladder meridian will no longer function. The gall bladder meridian is a long meridian that runs from head to toe. This is its form. So what does "energy" refer to? Energy refers to the circulation of meridians, which is the way of life's movement. Spirit refers to the external manifestation when form and energy are particularly abundant.
The "storage" in Chinese medicine means internal storage. If there is internal storage, there will be external manifestations. According to the viewpoint of Chinese medicine, there will be five storage organs on one finger. Why is this? The hand of a person has skin and hair. In Chinese medicine theory, the lungs govern the skin and hair. Therefore, skin problems are related to lung energy, such as skin diseases. What is wrapped within the skin and hair? It is flesh. Flesh is related to the spleen, which governs muscles. Within the flesh is blood, which is governed by the heart. Within the flesh are also bones, which are governed by the kidneys. Bones are the most constricted and stable thing.
During the "zi" period, how does gall bladder energy emerge? The gall bladder meridian starts from the outer corner of the eye, runs along the sides of the head, and then descends along the sides of the body, all the way down to the little toe and fourth toe. When fatigued, people like to raise their arms, which is a movement of stretching and stimulating the gall bladder meridian to invigorate yang energy. After yawning, a person appears more refreshed. This is also a phenomenon of gall bladder energy emerging. When we can't figure things out and lack decisiveness, we often scratch our heads, which actually stimulates the gall bladder meridian.
In modern society, the pace of life has accelerated, and more and more people stay up late. If you don't sleep after 11 PM, insomnia may gradually occur. Common types of insomnia include:
① Mental labor. Refers to people who engage in mental work and overuse their brains without paying attention to nourishing the spirit. They are most prone to insomnia. Solution: Avoid excessive thinking before bed, soak feet in hot water before bed, drink a bowl of lotus seed and millet soup with rock sugar or a cup of milk, or eat a piece of Poria and sandwich.
② Kidney exhaustion. Mostly caused by kidney yin deficiency. Because "when yin is abundant, one sleeps," insomnia occurs due to yin deficiency. Main symptoms include restlessness, frequent dreams, nocturnal emissions, dry mouth, and red tongue. Solution: Nourish kidney yin in daily life and avoid overexertion. Control sexual activities and consider taking gelatin, Liuwei Dihuang Wan, or Zhì Bǎi Dì Huáng Wán.
In addition, there is a type of stubborn insomnia caused by kidney yang deficiency. The characteristic is kidney fire decline, manifested as pale complexion, aversion to cold, cold hands and feet, frequent clear and long urination, pale tongue coating, and weak pulse. Regularly taking Jīn Kūi Shèn Qì Wán, which contains Aconitum, is recommended. Solution: Massage the Yongquan acupoint before sleep and soak feet in hot water.
③ Stomach exhaustion. Mostly caused by weak spleen and stomach function, resulting in poor digestion. It is known in Chinese medicine as "if the stomach is not harmonious, one cannot sleep peacefully." Solution: Do not overeat for dinner, avoid eating hard-to-digest food, and take a small amount of Xiangsha Yangwei Wan after dinner. Consider taking Rénshēn Jiànpí Wán after lunch.
During the "zi" period at 11 PM, yang energy is just beginning to emerge. If you don't sleep at this time, yang energy will not be nourished and the most precious vitality will be depleted. Therefore, it is important to sleep well when it's time to sleep, relax your mind, and let your brain rest. This way, you will have the energy to face the next day's tasks, maintain a good physical condition, and regulate your mental state.
