This page is dedicated to the Spleen meridian and several techniques based on Traditional Chinese Medicine for using it to support our health. Although these ancient healing techniques can appear simple, they may cause important shifts in your energy and boost your immunity. Working with the Spleen meridian can sometimes even prevent an illness, e.g. stop an approaching cold from taking hold of you.
If you are short of time and can’t read the whole article, just watch this short overview of the Spleen meridian, including its pathway which you can trace with your hands, and, by doing so, strengthen the meridian.
The Meridian for Better Immunity and More Joy
The Spleen meridian is an energy pathway with strong nurturing and immunity-boosting qualities. It’s at its peak flow between 9 and 11 am.
The main functions of the spleen (as an organ) is the support of our immune and cardiovascular systems. The spleen is responsible for cleansing our blood and aiding our immunity. It removes old red blood cells and produces (and stores) white blood cells known as lymphocytes. The lymphocytes have an important function of cleansing bacteria from the blood in the spleen. They also facilitate tissue healing and other important immune responses throughout our whole body.
The Pathway of Spleen Meridian
The Spleen meridian begins at the big toe, in the lower, proximal part of the nail (see the illustration).
The energy pathway then continues to flow up the inner leg, across the groin, the stomach, and through the diaphragm.
The path of the Spleen (SP) meridian is marked in red colour on the following diagram.
Note: After the start of the journey on the big toe, (and before continuing to flow up the front of the body) the Spleen meridian pathway goes up the inner leg for a bit, which you can see on the picture below:
Important: This diagram shows the meridian pathway on only one side of the body. This is for clarity purposes only; in reality, it flows as a pair through both sides of the body, right and left.
Ancient Prints Depicting Meridian Pathways
It is fascinating to look at ancient Chinese prints and paintings that depict meridian pathways and compare them with modern acupuncture and acupressure diagrams.
We now have devices that are able to detect meridians including their acupressure points. What’s fascinating is that they are almost exactly the same as in those ancient illustrations.
The master energy medicine practitioner Donna Eden was born with the ability to see energies, and she had been able to detect meridian pathways even before she learned they existed!
Compare the pathways marked in these ancient prints with the modern-day diagram above it.
If Spleen Meridian is Out of Balance
If the spleen (both as an organ and energetic pathway) is out of balance, it can physically manifest by low immunity, susceptibility to colds, digestive problems (such as loose stools), weakness of the limbs, and fatigue.
An imbalance of the Spleen meridian can also manifest in the emotional areas: You can become over-worried, depressed, have low self-esteem, being too clingy, and wallow in self-pity.
Fortunately, ancient medicine has left us with a heritage of techniques for balancing the Spleen meridian, which will allow us to enjoy a better immune system, feeling more joyful, and having higher self-esteem. Yes, self-esteem is not only ‘in your head’, but can get a boost by strengthening this specific energy pathway!
Techniques for Balancing Spleen Meridian
If you suffer from any of the symptoms and issues mentioned above, try the following techniques:
- Trace Spleen meridian
- Flush Spleen meridian
- Work with the acupressure points of Spleen meridian
Tracing Spleen Meridian
Tracing Spleen meridian will help you boost your immunity, vitality, get your energy going, and aid with removing toxins out of your body.
See the master practitioner of energy medicine Donna Eden (the one who can see energies) trace the Spleen meridian in this video (scroll to 1:44).
Flushing Spleen Meridian
How to flush a meridian:
- Trace it backward once
- Trace it forward three times
(If you don’t know how to trace it, watch the video above.)
Working with the Acupressure Points of Spleen Meridian
There are three ways we can work with the acupressure points:
- Sedate
- Strengthen
- Use the Three-Point Technique
Below I am showing diagrams that will teach you how to sedate or strengthen the Spleen meridian, according to your needs.
Sedating Spleen Meridian
Generally, we don’t sedate the Sppeen meridian too often, because usually it needs to be strengthened. However, as you’ll see further down, sedating it can still be used for certain situations.
Step 1 – Sedate the Spleen Meridian:
Sedate (relax) the Spleen meridian by sending its excess energy to the next meridian, which is Lung. You’ll see how the flow works on the wheel diagram (The Five Elements Wheel) further down.
The Procedure:
Gently hold the following two points (Spleen 5 and Lung 8) for 2 – 3 minutes. Use the tips of your fingers (preferably the index or the middle finger).
Do this one side of the body first, (e.g. on your right foot + right arm).
Repeat the same procedure on the other side of the body (your left foot + left arm), also for 2 – 3 minutes.
What Is Happening on The Five Elements Wheel:
Earth element (Spleen meridian) flows into Metal element (Lung meridian).
This means that Spleen meridian is being freed from excess energy by sending it to Lung meridian.
You can also view it the other way – the helpful assistant Lung is ‘vacuuming’ excess energy from the overcharged Spleen meridian.
You can see this happening on the wheel (from yellow to white, inside the circle):
Step 2 – Stabilise the Energy Flow by Holding the Control Points:
We now need to stop the flow of energy from the previous meridian. We’ll be stabilizing the shift in energy by holding the so-called control points.
The Procedure:
Gently hold the following two points (Spleen 1 and Liver 1) for 1,5 minutes.
Do this on both sides of the body (like in the previous step).
What is happening on The Five Elements Wheel:
Wood element (Liver) controls Earth element (Spleen).
This means that Liver meridian will ‘stop’ the flow of energy from the previous step, therefore preventing the Spleen meridian from having too much energy taken away. This intervention of the controlling element (Wood) will stabilise the energies.
You can see this happening on the wheel (from green to blue, inside the circle):
Strengthening Spleen Meridian
Step 1 – Strengthen the Spleen Meridian
This is one of the most important acupressure practices that you can use for self-healing.
How to proceed:
Strengthen the Spleen meridian by borrowing some energy from the previous meridian (i.e. Heart meridian).
The Procedure:
Gently hold the following two points (Spleen 2 and Heart 8) for 2 – 3 minutes. Use the tips of your fingers (ideally the index or the middle finger).
Do this one side of the body first, (e.g. your right side) and then repeat the same procedure on the other side of the body, also for 2 – 3 minutes.
What Is Happening on The Five Elements Wheel:
Fire element (Heart) flows into Earth element (Spleen).
This means that Heart meridian is strengthening the neighbouring Spleen meridian by sending its energy into it (or flowing into it).
Or, if you want, you can view it the other way – Spleen is getting some extra energy from its adjacent Heart meridian.
You can see this happening on the wheel (from red to yellow, inside the circle):
Step 2 – Stabilise the energy flow by holding the control points:
Gently hold the following two points (Spleen 1 and Liver 1) for about 1,5 minutes.
As in the previous step, do this on both sides of the body.
What Is Happening on The Five Elements Wheel:
Wood element (Liver) controls Earth element (Spleen).
Liver meridian will control the flow of energy from the previous step, therefore preventing the Spleen meridian from taking too much energy from the Heart meridian.
You can see this happening on the wheel (from green to yellow, inside the circle):
You have probably noticed that this is the same procedure as when we were holding the control points after the Sedating procedure in the first example. The control points are always the same after sedating and strengthening a meridian.
Three-Pointing Spleen Meridian
The Three Point Technique is a combination of sedating and strengthening a meridian in one session. Sometimes a meridian needs to be cleared of stale or toxic energies first in order to receive strengthening energies. This means that we sedate it first to move the old energies out, and then strengthen it. In the end, we use the control points to stabilise the shift.
We often use the Three-Point technique to treat hormonal imbalances, such as during PMS or menopause.
Step 1 – Sedate the Spleen Meridian:
Sedate (relax) the Spleen meridian by sending its excess energy to the next meridian, which is Lung. You’ll see how the flow works on the wheel diagram (The Five Elements Wheel) further down.
The Procedure:
Gently hold the following two points (Spleen 5 and Lung 8) for 2 minutes. Use the tips of your fingers (preferably the index or the middle finger).
Do this one side of the body first, (e.g. on your right foot + right arm).
Repeat the same procedure on the other side of the body (your left foot + left arm), also for 2 minutes.
What Is Happening on The Five Elements Wheel:
Earth element (Spleen meridian) flows into Metal element (Lung meridian).
This means that Spleen meridian is being freed from excess energy by sending it to Lung meridian.
You can also view it the other way – the helpful assistant Lung is ‘vacuuming’ excess energy from the overcharged Spleen meridian.
You can see this happening on the wheel (from yellow to white, inside the circle):
Step 2 – Strengthen the Spleen Meridian
After sedating it, you will strengthen the Spleen meridian by borrowing some extra energy from the previous meridian (i.e. Heart meridian).
The Procedure:
Gently hold the following two points (Spleen 2 and Heart 8) for 2 minutes. Use the tips of your fingers (ideally the index or the middle finger).
Do this one side of the body first, (e.g. your right side) and then repeat the same procedure on the other side of the body, also for 2 minutes.
What Is Happening on The Five Elements Wheel:
Fire element (Heart) flows into Earth element (Spleen).
This means that Heart meridian is strengthening the neighbouring Spleen meridian by sending its energy into it (or flowing into it).
Or, if you want, you can view it the other way – Spleen is getting some extra energy from its adjacent Heart meridian.
You can see this happening on the wheel (from red to yellow, inside the circle):
Step 3 – Stabilise the energy flow by holding the control points:
Gently hold the following two points (Spleen 1 and Liver 1) for about 1 minute. As in the previous step, do this on both sides of the body.
What Is Happening on The Five Elements Wheel:
Wood element (Liver) controls Earth element (Spleen).
This means that Liver meridian will ‘stop’ the flow of energy from the previous step, therefore preventing the Spleen meridian from having too much energy taken away. This intervention of the controlling element (Wood) will stabilise the energies.
You can see this happening on the wheel (from green to yellow inside the circle):
Learn More About Meridians and Acupressure Points
I hope you enjoyed reading this page. If you’d like to find out a bit more about acupressure points, I highly recommend getting the folding laminated chart pictured below. It shows every single acupressure point on our body, including very poetic ancient Chinese names for each important point. I’ve found it a very valuable study guide, especially during my Energy Medicine Foundation Course.
Share Your Thoughts
It would be nice to hear about your experience. Have you used the techniques mentioned here, and if so, with what results? Let me know your thoughts, questions, or other comments in the comments below and I look forward to getting back to you soon. Be well!
Other posts you may like:
- The Kidney Meridian
- How to Relieve Chronic Back Pain
- How to Relieve PMS
- 10 Things to Do When Feeling Down
Recommended books and products:
BY LUCIE DUN
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Eastern medicine has always been something that intrigued me. This has been a very interesting article and I have learned a lot about working with Spleen Meridian. Thank you so much for the amount of detail that you’ve provided and for the information to let us all know of the importance and value of eastern medicine – especially acupressure.
Hello Misael, I’m so glad you’ve found this post of value. I’ve been equally fascinated by the wisdom and the relevance of eastern medicine, especially Traditional Chinese Medicine, and not only because of the elaborate theory, but because of its practical usage. I can’t even count how many times acupressure helped me alleviate pains or fight off an illness. I highly recommend trying some of these techniques – strengthening Spleen meridian is always a good idea, it will give your immunity a boost, which is especially relevant these days. Take care and thanks for your nice feedback.
Thank you Lucie for such a through informative article. Would you confirm if this is correct: If one has skin rashes and sensitivity to various foods such as night shades and gluten, is the best process to (1) strengthen the spleen meridian and then (2) stabilize it? If so how often should this be done? Also when stabilizing can the 2 points ( liver and spleen) be held together at the same time? Or must each one be done individually?
Hello Lucie, I find this article very useful and interesting. I read about this topic before and I learn about cases that this technique helped people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, diseases of the urogenital system, anemia and insomnia. You wrote a very detailed article that gave me a lot of knowledge. Thanks.
Dear Natasa, Thank you for your lovely comment! I’m so glad you’ve found this topic interesting. Having a strong Spleen meridian is one of the major keys to good health as well as high spirits! Spleen meridian is not only a meridian but also a ‘radiant circuit’, which, when activated, can flood you with joy.
So I use it for two things: For strengthening my immunity (e.g. preventing colds – I haven’t had a cold for more than two years) and for cheering me up when I feel low. It’s an amazing tool to have in your ‘self-care drawer’.
Strong Spleen meridian can also assist with tissue repair, which I have utilised very well when I accidentally cut my finger while preparing dinner. It was quite a nasty cut and I first thought I had to have an emergency treatment to have it stitched. However, I kept holding the Spleen strengthening points. meditating, deep breathing, actively visualising the finger’s recovery, and in a few days and my finger was healed with new skin having grown over the wound.
So this is just an example of how you can use the strengthening points of the Spleen meridian. Next time you feel a tingle in your throat, try exactly that! Together with the Daily Energy Routine by Donna Eden, which I mention in my article about energy medicine and Donna Eden. It also includes a video of Donna demonstrating the Daily Energy Routine. Thanks again for your nice feedback and take good care!
Since energy is required in carrying out daily activities, then it’s necessary to pay attention to anything that can help and also boost immunity.Having high immune system avoids vulnerability to diseases and ailments. Thanks for the information, health is wealth, so nothing is too much to do in order to maintain good health. Thanks for sharing this
Hi Elizabeth, thank you for your wonderful, insightful comment! I love the quote ‘health is wealth’. So true! And the best thing about it is that these energy medicine tools, (such as holding Spleen meridian points or doing Donna Eden’s Daily Energy Routine which I mention in another article) are so easy to do, and you can do them ‘on the go’, or while relaxing. All these energies are invisible to most of us (apart from a few such as Donna Eden who can actually see energies) but if we work with them often, we can start feeling them with our hands. This has been happening to me more and more. I’m so grateful for the day when I learned about Donna Eden and all the ancient healing techniques she combines in her own method. Thanks again for your lovely words!