The heart organ is often thought of as the “ruler of the body,” controlling and overseeing our other vital organs. Because of this, the heart is sometimes literally referred to in Chinese medicine as the king or the monarch. Adding to TCM’s understanding of the vital importance of the heart and the heart meridian, in Chinese the word for heart (hsin or xin) is also used for the mind.1
This linkage of the heart and consciousness is vital to fully understanding the Chinese concept of shen, which is considered to be a connection of the soul and the mind, but is equally linked to almost all of our physical and mental activities. In other words, the heart is thought to be “the source of thought processes, mental focus, planning, intelligence, any thought, idea, and the will to carry it out.”2 The heart meridian is the energy field that connects all of these different aspects of our bodies and minds.
Heart meridian physiology
The heart meridian is considered to be a yin meridian that originates in the heart. After emerging from the heart, the meridian spreads around the heart system before passing down through the diaphragm and connecting with the small intestine. Because of this pathway, the heart meridian is generally paired with the small intestine meridian.
Another branch of the meridian travels upwards, connecting first with the tongue before continuing up to meet with the tissues around the eye. Meanwhile, the exterior part of the meridian, and the one most often accessed through acupuncture, passes across the lung and down the arm—ending at the tip of the little finger.3
Energetic relationships
The heart meridian is energetically connected to the small intestine and belongs to the fire element, which means that it is often associated with warmth and laughter. It is also believed that the heart meridian, due to its connection with the tongue, controls our speech.4 Furthermore, the heart meridian is considered to rule the blood, tongue, sweat, adrenals, thyroid, and prostate.
Like the heart organ, the heart meridian is also connected to the C2, TH1, TH2, and TH12 vertebrae, as well as to the 4 wisdom teeth. Even if your wisdom teeth have been removed, this connection still remains.
Since the heart is considered to be the ruler of all emotions,5 the heart meridian is also energetically linked to a variety of emotions, including sadness, fear, anxiety, grief, hate, dullness, and erratic behavior.6
Improving heart meridian health
Since the heart meridian is so clearly linked to the heart, various physical activities that are considered advantageous for heart health are also beneficial to the heart meridian. Healthy eating and regular exercise are key. Additionally, since the color red is associated with the heart meridian, many people believe that eating red foods, such as cherries, tomatoes, rhubarb, and strawberries, is beneficial to the heart meridian.7
Suggested exercises for improving the strength of the heart meridian include vertical stretches and focused breathing while clenching your fists on your exhale and loosening your fists on your inhale. Proper stretching—particularly upward stretching—and breathing exercises are similarly recommended.7
The Heart Meridian stressor Virtual Item
A digital signature of the heart meridian can be found in the ZYTO software in the TCM Meridians category. This Virtual Item is also a key biomarker that’s automatically scanned in the Balance software and can also be included in Select and Elite scans.
Along with other biomarkers, the heart meridian is scanned as a stressor Virtual Item to determine if it’s in range or out of range. A balancer scan is then done to determine which Virtual Items bring the heart meridian Virtual Item (if it is out of range) and other out-of-range stressors back into range.
For Select and Elite users, other stressors in the ZYTO Library that are related to the heart meridian include Virtual Items for:
- Chakra Four (Heart)
- Heart
- Heart and Lung Disharmony
- Heart Beat
- Heart Weakness
- Small Intestine Meridian
In the EVOX perception reframing software, the heart meridian is associated with two specific EVOX zones: anger/hate and sadness.
Heart Meridian balancer Virtual Items
The balancer Virtual Items scanned to bring the heart meridian and other out-of-range stressors back into range may include supplement, herb, essential oil, service, food, or affirmation statement Virtual Items, all of which can be found in the ZYTO library.
The benefit of performing a balancer scan is that you will be provided with individualized information to help you choose the optimal nutritional products and services based on the body’s preference, or what we call biological coherence, effectively eliminating much of the guesswork when it comes to supporting your heart meridian health along with your overall wellness.
Additionally, the EVOX is a powerful tool that uses voice-mapping technology to assess and address personal perceptions. The EVOX measures the voice energy present when a you talk about topics or subjects. Remember that the heart meridian is specifically related to the EVOX zones for anger/hate and sadness. Thus, the EVOX creates a powerful opportunity to alter static perceptions that are related to the heart meridian.
About Seth Morris
Seth Morris is an experienced article writer with a background in marketing, Web content creation, and health research. In addition to writing and editing content for the ZYTO website and blog, he has written hundreds of articles for various websites on topics such as holistic wellness, health technology, and Internet marketing. Seth has earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Business Management as well as Literary Studies.
Sources:
1. “Heart: Fire-energy yin organ.” Lieske. Lieske.com.
2. Suttie, Emma. “The Heart in Chinese Medicine.” Chinese Medicine Living. Chinesemedicineliving.com.
3. “Arm Shao Yin Heart Meridian.” Shen-Nong Limited. Shen-nong.com.
4. “The Heart Meridian – Ruler of Emotions.” Natural Health Zone. Natural-health-zone.com.
5. “Balancing Emotion for Well-Being.” Natural Health Zone. Natural-health-zone.com.
6. “The Heart Meridian – Ruler of Emotions.” Natural Health Zone. Natural-health-zone.com.
7. Suttie, Emma. “The Heart in Chinese Medicine.” Chinese Medicine Living. Chinesemedicineliving.com.
