My patients sometimes ask me about the Chinese clock, have you heard of it? It’s one of those things that you come across that helps make sense of what’s happening in your life and your health. And it’s a really practical tool in clinic too.
I love Chinese medicine because it has such a beautiful way of looking at life and health. It takes its inspiration from observing nature and encourages us to live in line with the cycles and rhythms of life. Whether that be years, seasons or days there’s always something to learn.
In the same way that a tree shed’s it’s leaves to conserve its energy to get through winter, our body behaves in predictable ways to take care of our energy and maintain health. Our organs are naturally self-regulating they know what to do to survive.
In ancient China health practitioners recognised the body’s desire to self-regulate through observing health and dis-ease. These medics distilled their observations into what today we call the Chinese clock.
Simply put it explains that each organ has a peak time in the 24-hour clock, a time when it will be at its strongest every day. I’ve heard people use it to explain such things as why they wake frequently at 3am in the morning – ‘oh that’s my liver’ and Chinese medics suggest eating a hearty breakfast between 7-9am because that’s when our Stomach energy is at its strongest and best able to digest.
We can use the Chinese clock in lots of ways. It’s a lens that shows us how to nourish ourselves by carrying out activities, such as what time to be asleep by, to maximise available energy during that time period. It can also be an indication of an imbalance and an area or our life that we need to pay attention to.
I like to apply the principles of Yang Sheng, translated as ‘nourishment of life’ to the Chinese clock. It gives us some amazing tools and ideas for how to live well as we age. The clock can be broken down into 12 x2 hours slots for each organ or into 6x4 hours slots for each element (strictly speaking there are 5 elements) but, the fire element, because it’s so important gets 2 goes on the clock!
I've created a Wellness Retreat to give you the chance to live the Chinese clock. It involves lots of rest, some restoration and leaving revitalised!
If I’ve whetted your whistle and you’d like to know more about how to 'Optimise Your Health With The Chinese Clock', do join me on Wednesday 19th July, 7pm online via zoom. During the event we’ll look at the 6 main blocks of time, relating them to the different elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water and how we can best utilise the energy of the blocks and elements.
Tickets are free, available here.
About the event
We’ll use the lens of the Chinese Clock to find out how we can harness the energy of these organs during specific blocks of time throughout the day to.
During the event we’ll look at the 6 main blocks of time, relating them to the different elements – wood, fire, earth, metal and water.
Tickets are FREE but booking is a must. The event will be recorded, but you need to grab yourself a ticket to receive the replay. Sign up here https://bit.ly/Chineseclock
About Jo Darling's Wellness Retreat
Harness the power of Chinese medical wisdom - rest, revive and restore in the magical mountains of Andalucia. Immerse yourself in ancient wisdom from 5-10th September 2023 and rest as hard as you like.
During our time together I’ll introduce you to the theory of the ‘Chinese Clock’ which explains that each organ has peak energy at a specific time of day. I'll show you how to harness this energy to optimise your wellbeing.
We’ll live and breathe the concept through a series of workshops, gentle movement practices and acupuncture treatments to help you take care of yourself. With lots of spare time in between to enjoy the wonderful food, sunshine, pool and caves of our magical luxury retreat.
For more information about the retreat click here. If you'd like to read about the benefits of retreating read my blog here.
About Jo Darling MBAcC Lic Acu, Founder Menopoised®
Jo Darling is an acclaimed Chinese medicine practitioner with expertise in women’s natural health and the founder of Menopoised® She’s passionate about helping women transition through menopause, whether natural or medically induced and is an experienced oncology acupuncturist.
Jo’s mission is to empower women to live healthier, happier lives sharing her 15 years of clinical experience harnessing the ancient wisdom of traditional Chinese medicine. She successfully works with patients to support them with mental and physical health imbalances from hot flushes to anxiety, low mood or low energy, migraines, insomnia and much more.
Jo integrates a range of Chinese medical techniques including acupuncture, gua sha, moxibustion and offers lifestyle advice (yang sheng) to help women help themselves. She offers both in person and remote treatment incorporating the use of essential oils to activate specific acupuncture points.
How Jo’s Cancer Patients Changed Her Life
Her work with cancer patients, helping to reduce the side effects of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and hormonal treatment has been life changing not just for her patients but also for her.
She noticed her cancer patients often experienced immediate and intense menopause symptoms (as a side effect of their treatment) and for some their hot flushes were so overwhelming they couldn’t even drive to her clinic. Menopausal herself and rocked by her best friend’s cancer diagnosis she decided enough was enough.
Jo says:
“I looked around for effective natural solutions, aligned with my principles and ethos that I could recommend to my patients. What I found was nothing. At least nothing that was proven to be effective that women could use at home and get the same effects as seeing an acupuncturist.
That’s when I took things into my own hands and created Menopoised®. Effective, natural, side-effect free and beautiful to boot. Because, quite frankly why shouldn’t products for menopausal women look and feel gorgeous!”
Armed with her extensive knowledge, practise-based evidence and expertise in Chinese Medicine she set about creating beautiful, effective products herself under the brand name Menopoised®.
Menopoised® Products
The Menopoised Menopause Magnet
For when your menopause is too hot to handle, helps get your cool back naturally. Each box contains four ready-to-wear magnets and 24 replacement plasters. Fast-acting, wear anytime and side effect free. Read our FAQs here.
Embrace Cool, Find Calm, Be Collected Aromatherapy Rollerballs
When your menopause is getting you down, our aromatherapy pulse point oils help you Embrace Cool, Find Calm and Be Collected. Each intuitive and thoughtful blend is formulated to harness the natural healing principles of Chinese medicine.
Let the oils ancient botanical wisdom take care of you. Set of 3 x 10ml pulse point essential aromatherapy oils.
Embrace Cool releases the natural essences of wise Clary Sage, calming and balancing Geranium, refreshing Lemon and Cooling Peppermint to help take the edge off those moments of feeling overwhelmed and overheated.
Find Calm with delightful and luxurious Neroli to float you to cloud nine, whilst Lavender calms, Patchouli soothes and Ylang Ylang relaxes. A welcome moment of peace when you need it most.
Be Collected is a clearing blend that releases the natural essences of Rosemary to help you keep it all together along with cool Peppermint and woody Cypress, for those times when you need to be on the top of your game.
Cool & Calm Aromatherapy Cream
This luxurious Cool and Calm cream blends pure essential oils to calm the mind, balance the hormones and cool you down when you’re feeling the heat.
When your temperature’s rising Rose Geranium supports hormonal balance and cooling Peppermint brings a breath of fresh air and clarity. Woody Frankincense instills a sense of peace whilst Lavender’s relaxing properties infuse calm. Wise and cool Clary Sage helps to calm the nerves, with an affinity for hormonal health.
Beautifully blended to nourish and restore this Cool and Calm cream harnesses the richly moisturising properties of cocoa and shea butters to help rehydrate and protect tired skin.