The Large Intestine Meridian

Large Intestine – Depression/Excessive Worry

The Organ: The waste from the body is easily and naturally sorted from what needs to be reabsorbed. What is no longer needed is released back into the world. Therefore, the large intestine’s main job is elimination. It receives food from the small intestine and turns liquids into solid waste.

The Meridian: The large intestine energy encourages us to let go and not hold onto things that do not serve us.

Location: The large intestine meridian starts at the outside of the index fingernail. It travels up the top of the arm before crossing to the back of the shoulder. It crosses back over the shoulder, runs up the throat, and ends just below the nose.

Physical Imbalance: abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, nasal and sinus problems, skin irritations

Emotional Imbalance: Difficulty in letting go of the past, guilt, grief, emotionally stuck or defensiveness

How to Balance

*When the large intestine meridian is balanced, it promotes the ability to let go of what is unnecessary, both physically and emotionally. Emotions like mental clarity, healthy detachment, and a flexible attitude toward change become more prominent, facilitating a healthy flow of energy and emotional well-being.

Acupoint Therapy/Massage: *The are many pressure points in body. This is one example.

The large intestine is about letting go. Use this acupoint to “move” all sorts of issues: headaches, menstrual cramps, constipation, hangovers, anxiety, insomnia.

If you are stuck on something, try applying deep pressure with your opposite thumb to see changes.

Herbal Therapy/Diet:

Maintain regular bowel movements through diet and exercise (and if needed, acupuncture & herbs)
Eat foods that are warm and easy to digest (temperature is important to gut). Steam vegetables as opposed to eating them raw (only eat raw in spring and summer).
Be careful with food combinations: Protein, fat, complex carb at every meal. Protein the size of your palm, carbs the size of your fist, fats the size of your thumb.
Eat slowly & intentionally. Chew thoroughly.

Meditation/Mind:

Physical Exercise:

Place your hands on the ground, fingertips just outside of your shoulders and in line with the front of your shoulder bones. Keep elbows parallel, at your sides and pulling straight back.

As you inhale, squeeze your shoulder blades together and, pressing into the mat through your hands, lift your chest off the ground.