High Traits
The pericardium is the most open-minded, most spiritual, and straightforward meridian. At their best, they are the kings and queens of society, passing fair and impartial judgment with transparent views. They value structure, facts, and taking life one step at a time.
Low Traits
On the flip side, the pericardium meridian can be self-defeating and a masochist. Basically, they are their own worst enemy. When out of balance, their judgments can become unclear, constricted, and condemning.
Pericardium Functions
Western Medicine
Peri meaning around and cardium meaning heart, the pericardium encloses your heart in protective tissue. It keeps the heart in place, lubricates the heart to prevent friction with surrounding tissue, and keeps the heart from over-expansion. The pericardium also protects the heart from any infections that could be spread from other nearby organs, such as the lungs.
Eastern Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the pericardium meridian protects the heart from emotional distress in the other organs including fear from the kidneys, frustration from the liver, and grief from the lungs. Known as the “king’s bodyguard,” the pericardium is the energetic body’s defense against extreme emotional outbursts which, in Chinese Medicine, are thought to be powerful disruptors of balance in the body and a major cause of disease.
Meridian Associations
Archetype: Judge
Element: Fire-Lightning
Season: Summer
Yin or Yang: Yin
Time of Day: 7-9 pm
Color: Indigo-Violet
Taste: N/A
Body Tissue: Blood Constriction
Sensory Basis: Extrasensory
Emotion: Judgement
Healing Tone: N/A
Personality Group: Spiritual
Associated Muscles: Pectoralis Minor, Biceps Brachii
Balancing Meridian: Skin
Physical Symptoms of Imbalance
Cold hands and feet
Constriction of blood flow
Pale skin coloring
Stiffness
Sleep disorders
Chest pain
Susceptibility to flu
Nose Dripping
Liquid or swelling around the heart
Vomiting
Vertigo
Nausea
Emotional Symptoms of Imbalance (Eastern View)
Uncontrollable laughter
Attention seeking
Masochism
Self-defeating
Oblivious
Stiff
Closed
Sentencing
Implacable
Judgmental
Phobias
Sexual perversions
Inappropriate intimacy
Fear of Intimacy
Depression
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