Function

• The human small intestine is about 6 meters or 20 feet long. A semi-permeable barrier that sorts solids and liquids into useful nutrients or waste to be eliminated, the small intestine absorbs nutrients from food into the blood. Its surface is a mucous layer containing beneficial bacteria and essential parts of the immune system.
• In modern times a common pathology that weighs heavily on the small intestine is excessive sorting of poor-nutrient foods. Empty foods with a high percentage of toxins (think MacDonald’s or Cheerios) can deplete the small intestine. A weak smalliIntestine loses the capacity to discern useful nutrients from garbage. This manifests in poor absorption of food, the brain soon sputters as well, becoming overwhelmed and indecisive. 
• The Small Intestine function can also be affected by emotions such as anger that cause Liver Qi to stagnate and experience fear, which together can cause digestion to stop altogether. That’s why your mom may have told you never to eat when you’re mad or upset.

Benefits of stimulation

Exercises that stimulate the outer side of both arms and the front of the torso help with:

• Immune system boost
• Mental clarity/ability to focus
• Fast nutrients absorption 
• Healthy microbiome promotion 

The Worst Enemies of the Small Intestine

GMO foods with pesticides and herbicides destroy the delicate bacterial ecosystem in the gut. Our intestines host over 500 beneficial bacteria, essential for metabolism and the immune system. DNA in genetically modified foods activates an immune reaction in the intestines that causes chronic inflammation. Even worse, it blocks the natural immune response whose job it is to destroy cancer cells in the body! Thus GMO foods increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, inflammation, leaky gut, and a range of  auto-immune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, Multiple sclerosis, Celiac disease, Lupus, Psoriasis, Hashimoto’s, Grave’s disease, Type 1 Diabetes, etc.

 Excess cold and raw food can cause cold to accumulate in the Small Intestine. Excess hot and spicy foods can cause heat to accumulate. Both imbalances are equally difficult.

Powerful acupoint SI 4 for Small Intestine 

• Located on the heel of the hand outer edge, where the pink palm meets the lighter color upper side of the hand.
• Stimulating this point uplifts all body Qi, aids digestion, promotes healthy microbiome. It calms congestion caused by too many sweets or overeating. This is a good point for diabetes. The Source Point of a meridian is located on the ankle or wrist, and is the point that most closely exemplifies the energy of the entire meridian.