As we are entering into the month of June, the weather gets warmer and the nature is beautiful. There are lots of red colored foods available at the farmer's market such as strawberries, cherries or red peppers. The color red is a color of the month of June and it will continue to be a color of upcoming warm summer months.
There is an organ in our body that is very sensitive and sometimes even outraged in June; it needs to be calmed by our loving attention. It is the Small Intestine.
The Small Intestine is a long hollow-tube-like organ in the gastrointestinal tract. It is connected to the Stomach on one end and the Large Intestine on the other. It covers the Stomach area and the area around the belly button. It is the place where most chemical digestion takes place.
The Small Intestine is the body's alchemist, it is the body's factory that is responsible for digestion and absorption of nutrients. It absorbs nutrients and minerals from the foods we eat. 90% of digestion and absorption of food occurs in the Small Intestine. It receives the processed food from the Stomach, which is broken down into a liquid. After the fluids are passed down to the Small Intestine from the Stomach, they are separated into clear fluids (which are reabsorbed by the Large Intestine) and turbid fluids (which are sent to the Urinary Bladder and excreted as urine). So you see that our Small Intestine governs the separation of the fluids (the clear from the turbid). It helps to move the food through the bowels and gut; it supports the body's immune system in the gut flora by assimilating the purified nutrients and moving the impure wastes onward to the Large Intestine for elimination. The Small Intestine works as an "alchemist" that separates "the pure from the impure, the useful from the useless."
Common symptoms:
As a therapist and an energy practitioner I can recognize when someone may have an unbalanced Small Intestine. The lips can tell: swollen areas in the lower inside lip or pale lips can signify an acidified Small Intestine or insufficient blood supply in the Small Intestine area. Also people may complain about shoulder or elbow pain. These are the first signs that the Small Intestine needs some attention.
Common symptoms are also diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, anemia, unexpected weight loss, sluggish gut and bloating.
Bloating :
Bloating involves excessive amounts of solids, liquids or gas in the digestive system. You may experience that feeling when your belly feels swollen and enlarged after eating - "feeling stuffed". It can cause gas and pain. When we eat too much, our Small Intestine becomes overloaded and overworked. Foods that cause bloating are: beans, lentils, cruciferous vegetables, carbonated drinks, wheat, barley, onions, dairy and beer. For some people even apples.
How to eliminate bloating:
don't eat too much at a time
don't eat on the run, in a hurry
don't eat without complete chewing
don't eat when you're angry or upset
don't talk while eating
don't drink sodas and fizzy drinks
don't eat foods that give you gas
don't eat fatty foods
Gluten intolerance:
Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Gluten intolerance is an unpleasant reaction to gluten. It is an autoimmune dis-ease, which may lead to damage in the digestive system and to "leaky gut syndrome".
Signs of gluten intolerance are: bloating, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, headaches, feeling tired, skin problems, anemia, depression, anxiety, unexpected weight loss, muscle and joint pain, higher risks for autism and ADHD.
How to eliminate gluten intolerance:
avoid: canned soups, salad dressings, soy sauce, chips, crackers with flavor, processed meat, beer, pizza, pasta, bread, cereals, cakes - these foods can contain gluten
Follow a gluten-free diet and healthy gluten-free recipes
Use gluten-free flour, almond or coconut flour, brown rice, quinoa
Get tested by your doctor if you think you have gluten intolerance
Other Small Intestine diseases are Crohn's disease, Parasitic infections, Inguinal hernia or cancer.
The Small Intestine doesn't like:
food with toxins
low nutrient food
GMO's
cold or spicy foods
carbonated drinks
artificial sweeteners
high fructose corn syrup
antibiotics
The Small Intestine likes:
whole and unprocessed foods
fermented foods (sauerkraut)
probiotics (yogurt, kefir)
dark green vegetables
beetroot
papaya
Chia seeds, nuts
salmon
bone broth
peppermint
fennel
vitamin B12 (especially if you're a vegetarian)
omega 3
gently massage around the navel area
eliminate food allergies (dairy, eggs)
ask questions to your doctor, get tested
The Small Intestine Meridian:
Meridians are energy pathways flowing through the human body. Each Meridian corresponds to an internal organ. They depend on each other and they are connected.
The Small Intestine Meridian starts from the tip of the little finger, continues on the wrist, goes up the arm, shoulder. At the shoulder blade a branch goes internal; it enters the Heart and goes down to the Small Intestine, then the Meridian continues up to the eye and ends in the ear. This Meridian has secondary branches of energy that spread out and influence other part of the human body.
They are numerous acupressure points along the Small Intestine Meridian for balancing the Meridian (the energy pathway). These points can be gently massaged to help with healing headaches, tinnitus, or to reduce pain and stiffness (mostly the neck and shoulders area).
Peak hours of the Small Intestine Meridian are between 1 pm - 3 pm.
This Meridian sorts ideas and thoughts to help you make a clear choice. To separate what is right from what is wrong. To separate "the pure" from "the impure". The body's alchemist factory. It influences one's mental clarity and judgement. When this Meridian is balanced, you experience joy, ability to make decisions easily, clarity of thought. You express love and passion. Emotional imbalance can be seen as difficulty expressing emotions, insecurity, forgetfulness and inability to assimilate ideas - "too many thoughts in my head". Unbalanced Small Intestine and it's Meridian leads to anger and fear so don't eat when you feel upset - your Small Intestine is overwhelmed. Don't be afraid to assimilate new experiences and new ideas. Don't be afraid to release that which you no longer need.
Affirmations for balancing and healing the Small Intestine:
"I easily assimilate and absorb all that I need to know and release the past experiences with joy"
" I digest my life with joy and I'm passionate about it"
"I release all thoughts that clutter and clog"
"I choose food that assimilate healthily in my body, keeping me energizes and nourished"
"Everything flows through me freely and joyfully"
Enjoy the month of June, pay loving attention to your Small Intestine in your navel area, breathe into your belly and be cautious about it!
Visit my wellness studio in Uzes for private sessions and lessons. We will explore together how to re-balance your body with energy exercises, yoga and massages.
