Library

Ancient texts state that a physician must master three medical classics: the first is *Huangdi Zhenjiu* (Yellow Emperor's Acupuncture), the second is *Shennong Bencao* (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), and the third is *Qibo Maijue* (Qibo's Pulse Manual). The *Maijue* is used to observe symptoms, *Bencao* is used to distinguish herbs, and acupuncture is used to eliminate diseases; without these three, one cannot speak of medicine. Placing *Bencao* at the end serves to unify the volume size.

Acupuncture methods are diverse; currently, we take *Suwen* (Basic Questions) and *Nanjing* (Classic of Difficult Issues) as the main basis. "Zi" represents Yang; "Wu" represents Yin. Why not directly say Yin and Yang but rather Zi and Wu? This is precisely to show that the Ren and Du meridians in the human body circulate in correspondence with the Zi and Wu directions of heaven and earth. Therefore, geographical compass needles do not depart from the Zi-Wu line, which is the profound application of natural Yin and Yang. The "Eight Methods" focus on eight acupoints of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, which are the great gatherings of the Twelve Regular Meridians. Speaking of the "Zi-Wu Eight Methods" refers to combining the Zi-Wu Flowing-Note method with the Eight Extraordinary Vessels methods.

The essentials of divine acupuncture have four aspects:

First is the Method of Points. The 360 points over the whole body are unified into 66 points on the hands and feet. These 66 points are further unified into eight points, hence referred to as the Extraordinary Vessels (referring here to the Eight Confluent Points of the Extraordinary Vessels).

Second is Opening and Closing. Swallows avoid Wu and Ji days; bats rest on Geng and Shen days. Even animal natures are like this, let alone the human body, a small universe? Therefore, chronic illnesses must wait for the timing of opening and closing, just as epidemic diseases must follow the theory of Five Movements and Six Qi; acute illnesses do not拘泥 (stick rigidly) to opening and closing, similar to how miscellaneous diseases set aside heavenly timing and follow the patient's condition.

Third is Ying and Sui (Following and Opposing). Ying means opposing (against the meridian flow); Sui means following (with the meridian flow). Opposing constitutes the reducing method; following constitutes the reinforcing method. A slight error in Ying and Sui will cause chaotic Qi and Blood. Although small effects may be seen immediately, other syndromes will inevitably arise later. The proverb says: "Eyes will not go blind unless needled; feet will not become deformed unless needled."

Fourth is Flying through the Meridians and Moving Qi. People today only know that flying through meridians and moving Qi is difficult, but they do not realize that if Ying and Sui are understood clearly, the principles of flying and moving are included within them.

Regarding the Zi-Wu Flowing-Note in point selection:
Liu (Flow) means going; Zhu (Pour/Stay) means staying. This is the circulation of Shen (Spirit) and Qi.
Each of the Twelve Regular Meridians has five specific points, corresponding to the Five Elements: Jing (Well), Ying (Spring), Shu (Stream), Jing (River), and He (Sea). The classic states: "What issues out is the Well." The Well is like a water source that is never exhausted when drawn from nor overflowing when filled, describing its constant state. It corresponds to the East and Spring, the beginning of all things.
"What flows is Ying"; what is poured is Shu; what travels is Jing; what enters is He. It corresponds to the North and Winter, the storage of all things. The meridians of the human body are like water flowing underground. The Well is like the source of water just emerging; the still weak flow is called Ying; water flowing down continuously is called Shu; water passing through is called Jing; passing through here and entering the Zang-Fu organs to meet with other meridians is called He. *Suwen* says: "The Six Meridians are rivers, the stomach and intestines are the sea," which is exactly this meaning.

Jing (Well) points govern epigastric fullness; Liver pathogenic factors are treated at Jing points.
Ying (Spring) points govern body heat; Heart pathogenic factors are treated at Ying points.
Shu (Stream) points govern heaviness of the body and joint pain in the limbs; Spleen pathogenic factors are treated at Shu points.
Jing (River) points govern cough, asthma, cold, and fever; Lung pathogenic factors are treated at Jing points.
He (Sea) points govern rebellious Qi and diarrhea; Kidney pathogenic factors are treated at He points.

Hand points do not exceed the elbow; foot points do not exceed the knee. The Yang stems comprise 36 points, and the Yin stems comprise 30 points, totaling 66 points. The six additional points in the Yang stems are Yuan (Source) points: Hegu (LI4), Wanggu (SI4), Qiuxu (GB40), Chongyang (ST42), Jinggu (BL64), and Yangchi (TE4).
The Zang organs have five Jing and Ying points each; the Fu organs have six Jing and Ying points each. The classic states: Gallbladder Yuan is Qiuxu; Liver Yuan is Taichong; Small Intestine Yuan is Wanggu; Heart Yuan is Shenmen; Stomach Yuan is Chongyang; Spleen Yuan is Taibai; Large Intestine Yuan is Hegu; Lung Yuan is Taiyuan; Bladder Yuan is Jinggu; Kidney Yuan is Taixi; Sanjiao Yuan is Yangchi; Pericardium Yuan is Daling. For the Twelve Meridians where the Shu point serves as the Yuan point, it is because the Qi of the Sanjiao circulates through all meridians. The moving Qi below the umbilicus in the Kidney region is the root of the Twelve Meridians, hence called Yuan. When treating diseases of the Five Zang and Six Fu organs, one takes the Yuan points. For Zang diseases, needle the Shu points; for Fu diseases, needle the He points.
Jing (Well) points have shallow muscle layers and are generally not suitable for deep needling, so the classics often mention only Ying and Shu points.

Rhyme says:
On the medial side of the thumb belongs the Taiyin Lung Meridian; Shaoshang is the Jing point, Yuji is the Ying point, Taiyuan is the Shu and Yuan point, Xingqi leads to Jingqu (Jing point), and Chize (He point) is similar.
On the lateral side of the index finger belongs the Yangming Large Intestine Meridian; Shangyang (Jing), Erjian (Ying), Sanjian (Shu) should be detailed; Hegu (Yuan), Yangxi (Jing) are selected according to the points, and Quchi is the He point, perfectly matching.
On the medial side of the middle finger belongs the Jueyin Pericardium Meridian; Zhongchong (Jing) is sought in the palm at Laogong (Ying); Daling is the Shu and Yuan point; Jianshi (Jing) seeks Quze (He point) calmly.
On the lateral side of the ring finger belongs the Sanjiao Meridian; Guanchong (Jing) leads to Ye Men (Ying) head; Shu and Yuan are taken at Zhongzhu and Yangchi; Jing and He are sought at Zhigou and Tianjing.
On the medial side of the little finger belongs the Shaoyin Heart Meridian; Shaochong and Shaofu seek Jing and Ying points; Shenmen Shu point serves as the Yuan point; Lingdao (Jing) still requires Shaohai (He point) to be true.
On the lateral side of the little finger belongs the Small Intestine Meridian; Shaoze (Jing) flows into Qian Gu (Ying); Houxi and Wanggu are Shu and Yuan points; Yanggu is the Jing point, Xiaohai is the He point.
On the medial side of the big toe belongs the Taiyin Spleen Meridian; Jing and Ying are Yinbai and Dazhong; Taibai is Shu and Yuan; Shangqiu (Jing) point; Yinlingquan is the He point, essential to know.
At the tip of the big toe belongs the Jueyin Liver Meridian; Dadun is the Jing point (Xingjian is Ying); Taichong is Shu and Yuan; Jingqu is Zhongfeng (Jing point), and Ququan is the He point.
At the tip of the second toe belongs the Yangming Stomach Meridian; Lidui (Jing) and Neiting (Ying) must be mastered; Xiangu (Shu), Chongyang (Yuan), Jingqu (Jing); Zusanli (He) is three cun below the knee.
In the center of the sole belongs the Shaoyin Kidney Meridian; Yongquan (Jing) and Ranggu (Ying) are naturally fixed; Taixi is Shu and Yuan; Fuliu (Jing) and Yinggu (He) can treat diseases.
On the fourth toe belongs the Shaoyang Meridian; Guanyin is the Jing point, Xiaxi is the Ying point; Shu and Yuan are Linqi and Qiuxu points; Yangfu (Jing) and Yanglingquan (He) require seriousness.
On the lateral side of the little toe belongs the Bladder Meridian; Zhiyin and Tonggu are appropriate for Jing and Ying points; Shugu (Shu) next seeks Jinggu (Yuan) point; Kunlun is the Jing point, Weizhong is the He point.

The classic says: If the left is excess, disease appears on the right; if the right is excess, disease appears on the left. If pain persists on the right, the pulse on the left shows disease first. If pain persists on the left, the pulse on the right shows disease first. In such cases, Ju Ci (Giant Puncture) must be used. This involves the temporary combination of five points and is the most significant method of puncture.

Ju Ci refers to puncturing the meridians.
Master Dou said: Gongsun connects to the Chong Mai, treating the stomach, chest, and heart; Neiguan connects to the Yin Wei Mai, both governing the lower aspect similarly; Linqi connects to the Gallbladder Meridian and Dai Mai; Yang Wei Mai meets at the outer canthus via Waiguan. Houxi connects to the Du Mai, treating the interior back and neck; Shenmai connects to the Yang Qiao Mai, also connecting to collaterals. Lieque connects to the Ren Mai, traveling through the lung system; Yin Qiao Mai connects to Zhaohai, treating the diaphragm and throat.
It is also said: Yang Qiao, Yang Wei, and Du Mai;
These three meridians belong to Yang.
They govern diseases of the shoulder, back, waist, and legs on the exterior; Yin Qiao, Yin Wei, Ren, Chong, and Dai Mai;
These five meridians belong to Yin.
They govern diseases of the heart, abdomen, flanks, and ribs on the interior. This is the essence of diseases governed by the Extraordinary Vessels.

*Lan Jiang Fu* says: First establish the Eight Methods as a fixed rule, dividing stages within the Flowing Notes. To resolve certain diseases, Neiguan takes charge; for those below the umbilicus, use the blocking method with Gongsun. For head ailments, seek Lieque; for phlegm obstruction and dry throat, or lockjaw and wind in the throat, needle Zhaohai, bleeding with a three-edged needle brings instant relief. For exterior cold damage and headache, reducing Waiguan brings natural peace; for eye disorders and various afflictions, use Linqi to take charge. Houxi specializes in treating Du Mai diseases; epilepsy and mania are lightened by this method; Shenmai can remove cold and heat, headaches (both frontal and temporal), and palpitations. For tinnitus, nasal congestion, and chest fullness, this golden needle point is useful. Gongsun paired with Neiguan acts as mother and son, connecting to the heart, chest, stomach, and Chong Mai; Linqi paired with Waiguan acts as husband and wife, connecting to the outer canthus, behind the ear, Jiache, shoulder, neck, clavicle, and chest; Houxi paired with Shenmai acts as husband and wife, connecting to the interior of the Small Intestine and Bladder, back, neck, ears, shoulders, and arms; Lieque paired with Zhaohai acts as mother and son, connecting to the lungs, lung system, throat, and diaphragm. These are the Eight Confluent Points. All 42 points on the Spleen Meridian (left and right) are unified under the two Gongsun points, treating all Spleen diseases. Other meridians follow this pattern. Pericardium pairs with Neiguan; Gallbladder with Linqi; Sanjiao with Waiguan; Small Intestine with Houxi; Bladder with Shenmai; Lungs with Lieque; Kidneys with Zhaohai.

Matching with the Later Heaven Bagua: Qian, Kan, Gen, Zhen, Xun, Li, Kun, Dui, ordered by the generation and prosperity of the Five Elements. Starting from Qian Palace with Jia moving clockwise: Jia Gallbladder Guanyin matches Qian; Yi Liver Dadun (attached to Qian); Bing Small Intestine Shaoze matches Kan; Ding Heart Shaochong matches Gen; Wu Stomach Lidui matches Zhen; Ji Spleen Yinbai matches Xun; Geng Large Intestine Shangyang matches Li; Xin Lung Shaoshang matches Kun; Ren Bladder Zhiyin (attached to Kun); Gui Kidney Yongquan matches Dui; Sanjiao attaches to Ren; Pericardium attaches to Gui. This discusses Heavenly Stems. Earthly Branches start from Qian Palace with Zi moving clockwise: Zi belongs to Qian, Wu belongs to Xun, Mao belongs to Gen, You belongs to Kun (these are the Four Cardinal Directions Zi-Wu-Mao-You); Yin belongs to Kan, Shen belongs to Li, Si belongs to Zhen, Hai belongs to Dui (these are the Four Corners Yin-Shen-Si-Hai). Chen, Xu, Chou, Wei attach to prosperity, thus do not enter the Bagua, but within the Bagua they represent Old Yin, Old Yang, Young Yin, Young Yang; (Qian, Zhen, Kan, Gen are Three Sons; Kun, Xun, Li, Dui are Three Daughters); in the Twelve Meridians and Extraordinary Vessels, they represent Great Yin, Great Yang, Young Yin, Young Yang; (Bagua is virtual, acupoints are real, just as Feng Shui uses points rather than Bagua, direction is made within the point). The classic says: When evil invades the large collaterals, it moves from left to right and right to left, up and down, left and right, with unpredictable Qi, not entering the regular meridians or Shu points; this is called Miu Ci (Erratic Puncture). (Miu Ci refers to puncturing collateral vessels. It means collaterals and meridians intersect; when the body has curling, spasms, and pain, but the pulse shows no disease, puncture the pathways where Yin and Yang intersect.) This configuration and positioning of the eight points for puncture is the most extraordinary. Therefore, for head diseases, take foot points and respond with hand points; for foot diseases, take hand points and respond with foot points; for left-sided diseases, take the right side and respond with the left; for right-sided diseases, take the left side and respond with the right. Scattered needling should also be done thus. (The head is Yang, the feet are Yin. Taking foot points for head diseases is because head Qi travels to the feet. Not taking head points for foot diseases is because foot Qi does not travel to the head. Interleaving needling for left/right diseases is to draw out evil and restore righteousness.) Scattered needling treats miscellaneous diseases by dispersing the use of specific points, needling according to the suitability of the illness, initially not restricted by Flowing Notes. As for fractures, falls, injuries, and wandering pains, needle according to the location of the disease, disregarding whether the specific acupoint is obtained or not. (Needling the painful spot itself, Mr. Xu calls it Tianying Point). This is the general outline of point methods.