Is it true that sleeping before 1am can help maintain a healthy liver?

We have all heard that "sleeping before 1am can help maintain a healthy liver".

This saying, albeit well-known, is theoretically inaccurate under TCM theory.

𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐮𝐧.

So basically, when the sun rises, we should rise and shine; when the sun sets, we should rest and go to bed. Sleeping at 1am is way past sunset, and has no part in maintaining a healthy liver.

𝐒𝐨 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦?

In TCM, there is a theory called Zi Wu Liu Zhu (Midnight-Noon Ebb-Flow), stating that 1am-3am corresponds to the time when the liver meridian is open.

This theory is merely useful in treatment, especially for acupuncture, and unfortunately holds no significance in lifestyle modifications.

Written by Eileen Lee, Registered Chinese Medicine Practitioner