Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin (SP)
The Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin is a yin meridian. It is most closely connected with the zang-fu organs, especially the spleen, stomach, and heart. It is also the preferred meridian for treating gynecological disorders. This meridian begins at the tip of the big toe. A branch then splits off from the stomach, passes through the diaphragm, flows into the heart, and links with the Heart Meridian of Hand-Shaoyin. It mainly travels through the chest and abdomen and along the medial aspect of the lower limb.
Active Hours
Si hour, Spleen Meridian
Functions
The Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot), in the chapter "Meridians" (Jing Mai), states: "The Spleen Meridian of Foot-Taiyin governs disorders of the spleen: pain in the root of the tongue, stiffness of the body with inability to move, inability to take food, vexation, acute pain in the epigastric region (below the heart), loose stools with abdominal masses and diarrhea, water retention and urinary blockage, jaundice, inability to lie flat, difficulty standing due to stiffness, swelling and coldness of the medial thigh and knee, and loss of function of the big toe."
Related Conditions
Visceral patterns (Zang-fu symptoms): When the Spleen Meridian is affected, it may lead to generalized fatigue, epigastric pain, belching, loose stools, vexation and oppression in the chest, and acute pain below the heart (epigastric region), among other symptoms. If the spleen qi is exhausted, the muscles will become flaccid and soft, and emaciation will occur. Meridian patterns (Jing-luo symptoms): If the Spleen Meridian is disordered, there may be stiffness and pain in the root of the tongue, swelling in the medial aspect of the lower limb, and sensations of coldness, soreness, distension and pain, and numbness along the pathway of the meridian.
Daily Care
The spleen is the chief coordinator of digestion, absorption, and excretion, and it also governs the blood in the human body. When the spleen functions well, digestion and absorption are efficient, and the quality of the blood is good; hence, the lips appear rosy. During the Si hour (9:00–11:00 a.m.), you should drink at least three glasses of water, sipping slowly, to keep the spleen at its most active level. Never wait until you feel thirsty to drink; instead, drink water at regular intervals throughout the day. Feeling thirsty indicates that the body is already dehydrated. As the chief coordinator of digestion, absorption, and excretion, the spleen can be maintained daily during the Si hour. By patting and stimulating the Spleen Meridian pathway (along the medial aspect of the lower limbs and the abdomen) for about 10 minutes each time with moderate force, digestive function can be enhanced.
