Ancient Eastern medicine – spanning Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, and Thai traditions – has continually advocated the functional asymmetry of the human body. Certain Buddhist monastic norms even mandate that monks repose on their left side. What is the scientific rationale for this age-old practice, though?
Resting on the Left Side
A Path to Wellness Beyond Tradition
Numerous studies endorse the view that the left side of the body plays vital roles in our overall health, notably concerning the lymphatic system. This system, which filters and drains toxins from our body, predominantly functions on the left side.
As a result, the lymph – the fluid that transports everything from proteins to waste products – undergoes purification by the lymph nodes, primarily draining towards the left side.
Oriental medicine, armed with this insight, suggests that various left-side body ailments may result from chronic lymphatic system congestion.
Strategies to Enhance Lymphatic Circulation and Filtration
According to Ayurvedic principles, congestion typically follows a specific sequence: firstly, the lymphatic system becomes saturated, followed by the liver, and eventually the blood. Symptoms generally manifest on the left side first.
Interestingly, did you know your post-meal resting position could also affect your well-being? In India, for instance, a postprandial rest on the left side is commonly recommended.
Time-Honored Digestive Wisdom
Augmenting Your Health Via Sleep Position
This ancient wisdom promotes the belief that our digestive organs – like the stomach and pancreas, which are located on the left – operate optimally in this position.
When you lie on your left side, food naturally progresses through the stomach, and pancreatic enzymes are released at a steady rate.
Moreover, from their right-side position, the liver and gallbladder can more efficiently dispense essential enzymes into the digestive tract, aiding in emulsifying fats and neutralizing stomach acids.
As a result, the digestion cycle is expedited, avoiding post-meal lethargy. Why not consider a 10-minute rest on your left side after eating?
It’s worth noting that the small intestine, which expels toxins through the ileocecal valve (ICV) on the right side, also benefits from this posture.
When you sleep on your left side, gravity assists in moving bodily waste into the large intestine more effectively, easing its removal upon waking.
Choosing the Optimal Side for Sleep
Enhancing Circulation and Lymphatic Filtration
Importantly, resting on the left side can also foster improved heart function. Considering over 80% of our heart is situated on the left side, this position facilitates lymph return and blood circulation.
The aorta, the body’s largest artery, emerges from the heart, and arches to the left before descending into the abdomen. Similarly, the vena cava, responsible for carrying blood back to the heart, is alleviated by moving away from the intestines when sleeping on the left side, reducing the strain on the heart.
The spleen, responsible for filtering lymph and blood, is also located on the left side. Resting in this position allows fluids to flow back to the spleen more effortlessly, owing to gravity, thereby purifying our bodies.
Although scientific research in this field remains sparse, there is a significant consensus between ancient wisdom and modern anatomy. Sleeping on the left side seems to extend beyond an age-old tradition; it appears to pave the way towards comprehensive wellness. Why not give it a try?
