Dr. David Orman

Question: how does natural medicine use this timing to enhance healing?

Answer: Yes, the time of day you take an herbal remedy can significantly influence its effectiveness. In natural medicine systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, the body follows rhythmic cycles known as “organ clocks” or dosha cycles that align with nature’s flow. These systems teach that different organs and energetic functions are more active at specific times, and aligning herbal intake with these natural rhythms can optimize both absorption and energetic resonance.

In TCM, for example, the Liver is most active between 1:00 and 3:00 AM, while the Lungs dominate between 3:00 and 5:00 AM. If someone is taking herbs to support liver detoxification, consuming them in the late evening may help prepare the liver for its early-morning activity. Conversely, lung tonics or respiratory herbs may work better when taken upon waking. This is not only due to organ energy but also to how the body’s hormonal and metabolic systems operate in harmony with light, sleep, and digestion.

Ayurveda offers a similar view, structuring the day into three repeating cycles of Vata (movement), Pitta (transformation), and Kapha (stability). A stimulating herb like ginger may be best taken during Kapha time (early morning) to energize and clear sluggishness, while cooling herbs like Brahmi might be more effective during Pitta hours (midday) to calm the fire of digestion or overthinking. The ancient sages viewed the body not as a machine but as a garden responding to the sun, moon, and elements.

Modern chronobiology is beginning to catch up. Studies show that circadian rhythms influence drug metabolism, hormone levels, and even immune response. Natural medicine, which has always observed nature’s timing, now finds scientific backing for what healers have known for thousands of years: timing matters. Healing isn’t just about what you take, but when you take it—because nature works like music, not a stopwatch.