In the daytime we used to feel sleepy after meal.
According to western medicine theory, this might due to the aggregation of blood flowing in the stomach as well as intestine to perform digestion process. Gradually, our cerebral blood supply has reduced, hence brain activity functions appears to slow following a meal, which contribute to sleepiness.
How do we see from the perspective of TCM?
TCM see this as a spleen deficiency. The spleen plays an important role in transforming and transporting food Essences, Qi and fluids. The partially digested food from the stomach is transformed into Grain Qi by the spleen, it then gets transported upwards to the Lungs where it is mixed with inhaled clean air. The mixture is called Gathering Qi which then gets transported to heart.
If the spleen transforms and transports food Essences, Qi and fluid properly, then digestion, appetite, absorption and bowel movements are normal. Otherwise, if the spleen turns weak, the digestion slow down, there may be poor absorption and bowel movements, it leads to drowsiness.
If the weakening spleen is less severe, people can still control themselves so that to avoid sleeping after meal. They may perform some exercises such as finger movements or stretching of limbs. If the weakening spleen is severe, they might not be able to control and fall asleep after meal, this might happened during work or driving.
A kind of situation is due to certain foods make us feel tired after eating. Whenever we are over eating oily, salty or sweet taste food, the body fluids congealed to become another form such as phlegm or dampness. Both phlegm and dampness alleviate function of the spleen, they turn to be an obstacle blocking in the abdominal and hence causing an imbalance of body fluids distribution.
For TCM, we enhance the functional of spleen 的治则就是健脾by tonifying the spleen and Qi as well as raising Qi upwards. We recommend some acupressure points for strengthening the spleen, they are ST 36 Zusanli, BL 20 Pishu and SP 9 Yinlingquan:
Besides, TCM also treats phlegm or dampness to maintain the function of spleen. We will recommend acupressure points such as ST 36 Zusanli, LI 11 Quchi and ST 40 Fenglong:
Keys to take note of:
1. Eat regularly.
2. Avoid be crapulent. Eat seven full.
3. Nurture light diet habit, less oily, salty and sweet food.
4. Herbs recommended for the spleen and Qi deficiency are those tonifying the spleen and Qi such as cinnamon vine, gorgon fruits, lotus seeds, codonopsis root, false starwort root, milkvetch etc.
5. Herbs recommended for the spleen deficiency due to phlegm and dampness such as tangerine peel, hoelen, semen barley, lentils, fructus amomi etc.
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