任脉者,与冲脉皆起于胞中,循脊里,为经络之海,其浮而外者,循腹上行,会于咽喉
,别而络唇口,血气盛则肌肉热,血独盛则渗灌皮肤,生毫毛,妇人有余于气,不足于血,
以其月事数下,任冲并伤故也,任冲之交脉,不营其口唇,故髭须不生,是以任脉为病,男
子内结七疝,女子带下瘕聚,故内经曰,任脉起于中极之下,以上毛际,循腹里,上关元,
至喉咽,上颐循面入目,凡此任脉之行,从胞中上注目,长四尺五寸,总二十四穴(按内经
任脉所发者二十八穴,经阙一穴,实有二十七穴,内龈交一穴,属督脉,承泣二穴,属足阴
明跷脉,故载二十四穴),自会阴至脐中,为少腹之分,共八穴。
会阴一穴(在大便前小便后名屏翳两阴间是) 曲骨一穴(一名回骨在横骨之上阴毛际
中
动脉应手任脉足厥阴之会) 中极一穴(在脐下四寸一名气原一名玉泉足三阴之会) 关元
一
穴(在脐下三寸小肠募谓下纪也三阴任脉之会) 石门一穴(在脐下二寸一名丹田三焦募也
女
子禁灸) 气海一穴(一名脖 一名下肓在脐下一寸五分) 阴交一穴(在脐下一寸) 神
阙一
穴(在脐中禁不可针若刺使人脐中恶血出)
上少腹须以身寸度之,若膀胱广者少腹长,膀胱狭者少腹短, 自脐中至横骨,有五寸
,以意度之。
自脐上至鸠尾,为腹中之分,共七穴。
水分一穴(在下脘下一寸即脐上一寸) 下脘一穴(亦名幽门在建里下一寸足太阴任脉
之
会) 建里一穴(在中脘下一寸) 中脘一穴(在脐上四寸胃募三阳任脉之会谓上纪也) 上
脘
一穴(在巨阙下一寸五分去蔽骨三寸任脉手太阳足阳明之会) 巨阙一穴(在鸠尾下一寸心
之
募) 鸠尾一穴(在蔽骨之端言其骨垂下如鸠尾形故以为名臆前蔽骨下五分人无蔽骨者从岐
骨
下行一寸是)
上腹中七穴,自鸠尾至脐中,长八寸,然胃有大小,亦不可拘以身寸,但自蔽骨至脐中
,以八寸度之,各根据部分取穴。
自鸠尾上至结喉下陷中,为膺俞之分,共七穴。
中庭一穴(在膻中下一寸六分) 膻中一穴(一名元儿在玉堂下一寸六分直两乳间) 玉
堂
一穴(一名玉英在紫宫下一寸六分) 紫宫一穴(在华盖下一寸六分) 华盖一穴(在璇玑
下一
寸) 璇玑一穴(在天突下一寸陷中) 天突一穴(在颈结喉下四寸宛宛中一名玉户)
颐颔二穴
廉泉一穴(在颔下结喉上舌本下阴维任脉之会仰而取之) 承浆一穴(一名天池在下唇
下陷中足阳明之会)
会阴一穴,一名屏翳,在两阴间,任脉别络,挟督脉波脉之会,治小便难,窍中热皮痛
,谷道痒,久痔相通者死,阴中诸病,前后相引痛,不得大小便,女子经不通,男子阴端寒,
冲心很很,可灸三壮。
曲骨一穴,在横骨之上,毛际陷中,动应手,任脉足厥阴之会,治少腹胀满,小便淋涩
不通, 疝少腹痛,妇人赤白带下恶露,可灸七壮至七七壮,针入二寸。
中极一穴,一名玉泉,一名气原,在关元下一寸,膀胱之募,足三阴任脉之会,治五淋
,小便赤涩,失精,脐下结如覆杯,阳气虚惫,疝瘕水肿,贲豚抢心,甚则不得息,恍惚尸
厥,妇人断绪,四度针,针即有子,因产恶露不止,月事不调,血结成块,针入八分,留十
呼,得气即泻,可灸百壮,至三百壮止。
关元一穴,在脐下三寸,小肠之募,足太阴少阴厥阴三阴任脉之会,下纪者,关元也,
治脐下 痛,小便赤涩,不觉遗沥,小便处痛,状如散火,溺血,暴疝痛,脐下结血,状如
覆杯,转胞不得尿,妇人带下瘕聚,因产恶露不止,月脉断绝,下经冷,针入八分,留三呼,
泻五吸,灸亦良,可灸百壮,至三百壮止。
石门一穴,一名利机,一名精露,在脐下二寸,三焦之募,任脉气所发,治腹胀坚硬,
水肿支满,妇人因产恶露不止,遂结成块,经血暴脱,灸亦良,可灸二七壮,至一百壮止,
妇人不可针,针之终身绝子。
气海一穴,一名脖 ,一名下肓,在脐下一寸五分,任脉气所发,治脐下冷气上冲,心
下气结成块,状如覆杯,小便赤涩,妇人月事不调,带下经血暴脱,因产恶露不止,绕脐
痛,针入八分,得气即泻,泻后宜补之,可灸百壮,气海者是男子生气之海也,治脏气虚
惫,真气不足,一切气疾久不瘥,悉皆灸之。
阴交一穴,一名横户,在脐下一寸,任脉气所发,治脐下 痛,寒疝引小腹痛,膝拘挛
,腹满,女子月事不绝,带下,产后恶露不止,绕脐冷痛,针入八分,得气即泻,可灸百壮
止。
神阙一穴,一名气合,当脐中是也,治泄利不止,小儿奶利不绝,腹大,绕脐痛,水肿
鼓胀,肠中鸣,如流水声,久冷伤惫,可灸百壮,禁不可针。
水分一穴,在下脘下一寸,脐上一寸,任脉气之所发,治腹坚如鼓。水肿肠鸣,胃虚胀
,不嗜食,绕脐痛,冲胸不得息,针入八分,留三呼,泻五吸,若水病灸之大良,可灸七壮
至百壮止,禁不可针,针水尽即毙。
下脘一穴,在建里下一寸,足太阴任脉之会,治腹痛,六腑之气寒,谷不转,不嗜食,
小便赤,腹坚硬,癖块,脐上厥气动,日渐羸瘦,针入八分,留三呼,泻五吸,灸亦良,可
灸二七壮至二百壮止。
建里一穴,在中脘下一寸,治心下痛,不欲食,呕吐上气,腹胀身肿,针入五分,留十
呼,可灸五壮。
中脘一穴,一名太仓,胃之募也,在上脘下一寸,手太阳少阳足阳明所生,任脉之会,
上纪者,中脘也,治心下胀满,伤饱食不化,霍乱注泄不自知,心痛温疟,伤寒饮水过多,
腹胀气喘,因读书得贲豚气上攻,伏梁心下,状如覆杯,寒癖结气,针入八分,留七呼,泻
五吸,疾出针,灸亦良,可灸二七壮至百壮止。
上脘一穴,在巨阙下一寸,当一寸五分,去蔽骨三寸,任脉足阳明手太阳之会,治心中
热烦,贲豚气胀不能食,霍乱吐利,身热汗不出,三虫多涎,心风惊悸,心痛不可忍,伏梁
气状如覆杯,针入八分,先补后泻之,神验,如风痫热病,宜先泻后补,其疾立愈,灸亦良,
日可灸二七壮至一百壮,未愈更倍之。
巨阙一穴,心之募也,在鸠尾下一寸,人有鸠尾短者,少饶分寸,任脉气所发,治心中
烦满,热病胸中痰饮,腹胀暴痛,恍惚不知人,息贲时唾血,蛔虫心痛,蛊毒霍乱,发狂
不识人,惊悸少气,针入六分,留七呼,得气即泻,灸亦良,可灸七壮至七七壮止。
鸠尾一穴,一名尾翳,一名 ,在臆前蔽骨下五分,治心风惊痫,发痛不喜闻人语,
心腹胀胸中满,咳逆数噫喘息,喉痹咽壅,水浆不下,不可灸,灸即令人心力不足,此穴大
难针,不然取气多,不幸令人夭,针入三分,留三呼,泻五吸,肥人可倍之。
中庭一穴,在膻中下一寸六分陷中,任脉气所发,治胸胁支满,噎塞食饮不下,呕吐食
还出,可灸五壮,针入三分。
膻中一穴,一作 ,一名元儿,在玉堂下一寸六分,直两乳间陷中仰卧取之,任脉气所
发,治肺气咳嗽上喘唾脓,不得下食,胸中如塞,可灸七七壮,又疗膈气,呕吐涎沫,妇人
乳汁少,其穴禁不可针,不幸令人夭折。
紫宫一穴,在华盖下一寸六分陷中,仰头取之,任脉气所发,治胸膈支满,胸膺骨疼,
饮食不下,呕逆上气烦心,可灸五壮,针入三分。
华盖一穴,在璇玑下一寸陷中,仰头取之,任脉气所发,治胸胁支满,痛引胸中,咳逆
上气,喘不能言,可灸五壮,针入三分。
璇玑一穴,在天突下一寸陷中,仰头取之,任脉气所发,治胸皮满痛,喉痹咽肿,水浆
不下,可灸五壮,针入三分。
天突一穴,在结喉下一寸宛宛中,阴维任脉之会,针入五分,留三呼,得气即泻治咳嗽
上气,胸中气噎,喉中状如水鸡声,肺壅咯唾脓血,咽干舌下急,喉中生疮,不得下食,灸
亦得,然不及针,下针须直下,不得低手,即伤五脏气。
廉泉一穴,一名舌本,在颔下结喉上阴维任脉之会,治舌下肿难言,舌纵涎出,咳嗽上
气,喘息呕沫,口噤舌根急缩,食难,可灸三壮,针入三分。得气即泻。
承浆一穴,一名垂浆,在颐前唇下宛宛中,足阳明任脉之会,KT 偏风口 ,面肿消
渴,口齿疳蚀生疮,灸亦佳,日可灸七壮至七七壮止,灸即血脉通宣,其风应时立愈,其艾
炷不用大,一根据小竹箸头作炷,脉粗细状如细线,艾炷破肉,但令当脉灸,亦能愈疾,凡灸
脐下久冷疝瘕 癖气块伏梁积气,宜艾炷大,故短剧诸方云∶腹背宜灸五百壮,四肢则但去
风邪,不宜多灸,七壮至七七壮止,不得过,随年数,如巨阙鸠尾虽是胸腹之穴,灸不过七
七壮,艾炷不须大,以竹箸头作炷,正当脉上灸之,若灸胸腹,艾炷大灸多,令人永无心力,
如头顶穴若灸多,令人失精神,臂脚穴灸多,令人血脉枯竭,四肢细瘦无力,既失精神,又
加细瘦,即脱真气,针入三分,得气即泻。
Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), along with Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), both originate from Bao Zhong (Uterus/Womb), ascend along the interior of the spine, and serve as the Sea of Meridians. Its branches that float outwardly follow the abdomen upward, converge at the throat, and branch off to connect with the lips and mouth. When Blood and Qi are abundant, muscles become hot; when Blood alone is abundant, it seeps into and irrigates the skin, generating fine hair. Women have an excess of Qi but a deficiency of Blood because menstruation occurs frequently, thereby injuring both Ren Mai and Chong Mai. The intersecting meridians of Ren and Chong fail to nourish the lips and mouth, resulting in the absence of facial hair. Therefore, when disease affects Ren Mai, men may present with seven types of internal Hernia (Ji Ju) accumulation, while women may present with Leukorrhea (Dai Xia) and Zha Ju (abdominal masses). Thus, *Nei Jing* states: Ren Mai originates below Zhong Ji point, ascends to the pubic hairline, follows the interior of the abdomen, passes through Guan Yuan point, reaches the throat, ascends to the chin, follows the face, and enters the eyes. In total, the course of Ren Mai ascends from Bao Zhong to the eyes, measuring four chi five cun in length, containing twenty-four acupoints (According to *Nei Jing*, there are twenty-eight points on Ren Mai, but one is missing in the text, leaving twenty-seven actual points. Among them, Yin Jiao belongs to Du Mai (Governing Vessel), and Cheng Qi belongs to Foot-Yangming Qiao Mai, so only twenty-four points are recorded here). From Hui Yin to Shen Que (navel), belonging to the lower abdomen, there are eight points.
Hui Yin (One point) (Located between the anus before and urethra after, also named Ping Yi)
Qu Gu (One point) (Also named Hui Gu, located above Heng Gu bone, in the center of the pubic hairline where the artery is palpable; intersection of Ren Mai and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian)
Zhong Ji (One point) (Four cun below the umbilicus, also named Qi Yuan or Yu Quan; intersection of Foot-Taiyin, Foot-Shaoyin, Foot-Jueyin, and Ren Mai)
Guan Yuan (One point) (Three cun below the umbilicus; Mu-Point of Small Intestine, also named Xia Ji; intersection of Three Yin Meridians and Ren Mai)
Shi Men (One point) (Two cun below the umbilicus, also named Dan Tian; Mu-Point of San Jiao; moxibustion is prohibited for women)
Qi Hai (One point) (Also named Bo Yang or Xia Huang, one and a half cun below the umbilicus)
Yin Jiao (One point) (One cun below the umbilicus)
Shen Que (One point) (At the center of the umbilicus; acupuncture is prohibited. Puncture may cause evil blood to flow from the navel.)
Measurement of the upper lower abdomen requires body cun. If the Bladder is broad, the lower abdomen is long; if the Bladder is narrow, the lower abdomen is short. From the umbilicus to Heng Gu is five cun, to be estimated by mind.
From Qi Men to Jiu Wei, belonging to the middle abdomen, there are seven points.
Shui Fen (One point) (One cun below Xia Wan, i.e., one cun above the umbilicus)
Xia Wan (One point) (Also named You Men, one cun below Jian Li; intersection of Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Ren Mai)
Jian Li (One point) (One cun below Zhong Wan)
Zhong Wan (One point) (Four cun above the umbilicus; Mu-Point of Stomach; intersection of Three Yang Meridians and Ren Mai, also named Shang Ji)
Shang Wan (One point) (One and a half cun below Ju Que, three cun away from the xiphoid process; intersection of Ren Mai, Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian, and Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian)
Ju Que (One point) (One cun below Jiu Wei; Mu-Point of Heart)
Jiu Wei (One point) (At the end of the xiphoid process, named for its shape resembling a magpie's tail. Five fen below the xiphoid process. If no distinct xiphoid process exists, take one cun down from the bifurcation bone.)
The seven points in the upper middle abdomen span eight cun from Jiu Wei to the umbilicus. However, since stomach sizes vary, one should not rigidly adhere to body cun. Measure from the xiphoid process to the umbilicus as eight cun, and select points according to their respective regions.
From Jiu Wei up to the depression below the laryngeal prominence, belonging to the Ying Shu region, there are seven points.
Zhong Ting (One point) (One cun six fen below Dan Zhong)
Dan Zhong (One point) (Also named Yuan Er, one cun six fen below Yu Tang, directly between the two breasts)
Yu Tang (One point) (Also named Yu Ying, one cun six fen below Zi Gong)
Zi Gong (One point) (One cun six fen below Hua Gai)
Hua Gai (One point) (One cun below Xuan Ji)
Xuan Ji (One point) (One cun below Tian Tu, in the depression)
Tian Tu (One point) (Four cun below the laryngeal prominence, in the hollow, also named Yu Hu)
Two points in the chin/jaw region:
Lian Quan (One point) (Below the chin, above the laryngeal prominence, below the root of the tongue; intersection of Yin Wei Mai and Ren Mai; take with head tilted back)
Cheng Jiang (One point) (Also named Tian Chi, in the depression below the lower lip; intersection of Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian)
Hui Yin (One point), also named Ping Yi, is located between the two yins. It is a collateral branch of Ren Mai and intersects with Du Mai and Qiao Mai. It treats difficult urination, heat pain in the orifices, anal itching, and fatal cases of chronic fistula between hemorrhoids. It treats various diseases of the vagina, mutual pulling pain between front and rear, inability to pass urine and stool, amenorrhea in women, coldness at the tip of the penis in men, and violent rushing pain to the heart. Moxibustion of three Zhu is applicable.
Qu Gu (One point) is located above Heng Gu, in the depression of the pubic hairline, where the pulse is palpable. It is the intersection of Ren Mai and Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian. It treats distension and fullness of the lower abdomen, dysuria, hernia with lower abdominal pain, red and white leukorrhea, and lochia retention in women. Moxibustion of seven Zhu up to forty-nine Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture depth is two cun.
Zhong Ji (One point), also named Yu Quan or Qi Yuan, is one cun below Guan Yuan. It is the Mu-Point of the Bladder and the intersection of Foot-Taiyin, Foot-Shaoyin, Foot-Jueyin, and Ren Mai. It treats five types of Lin syndrome, dark and scanty urination, seminal emission, subumbilical mass like an inverted cup, deficiency and exhaustion of Yang Qi, hernia and edema, Ben Tun (rushing gas) attacking the heart, severe dyspnea, trance or corpse-like coma, and infertility in women. Multiple needle treatments can induce pregnancy. For postpartum lochia retention, irregular menstruation, and blood stasis forming masses, acupuncture depth is eight fen. Retain needle for ten breaths, discharge upon obtaining De Qi. Moxibustion of one hundred Zhu up to three hundred Zhu is applicable.
Guan Yuan (One point) is three cun below the umbilicus. It is the Mu-Point of the Small Intestine and the intersection of Foot-Taiyin, Foot-Shaoyin, Foot-Jueyin, and Ren Mai. Xia Ji refers to Guan Yuan. It treats subumbilical pain, dark and scanty urination, involuntary dribbling, pain at the urethral meatus resembling scattered fire, hematuria, acute hernia pain, subumbilical blood stasis like an inverted cup, urinary retention due to bladder displacement, leukorrhea and abdominal masses in women, postpartum lochia retention, menstrual cessation, and coldness of the lower jing meridians. Acupuncture depth is eight fen. Retain needle for three breaths, discharge using five exhalations and five inhalations. Moxibustion is also effective. One hundred Zhu up to three hundred Zhu is applicable.
Shi Men (One point), also named Li Ji or Jing Lu, is two cun below the umbilicus. It is the Mu-Point of San Jiao and the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats abdominal distension and hardness, edema with flank fullness, postpartum lochia retention leading to mass formation, and sudden depletion of menstrual blood. Moxibustion is effective. Fourteen Zhu up to one hundred Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture is prohibited for women, as it causes lifelong sterility.
Qi Hai (One point), also named Bo Yang or Xia Huang, is one and a half cun below the umbilicus. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats cold Qi rushing up from the lower abdomen, mass formation under the heart like an inverted cup, dark and scanty urination, irregular menstruation, leukorrhea, sudden menstrual depletion, postpartum lochia retention, and periumbilical pain. Acupuncture depth is eight fen. Discharge upon obtaining De Qi, followed by tonification. Moxibustion of one hundred Zhu is applicable. Qi Hai is the sea of vital Qi for men, treating organ Qi deficiency and exhaustion, insufficiency of true Qi, and all chronic Qi disorders. Moxibustion is recommended for all such conditions.
Yin Jiao (One point), also named Heng Hu, is one cun below the umbilicus. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats subumbilical pain, cold hernia radiating to lower abdominal pain, knee spasms, abdominal fullness, continuous menstruation in women, leukorrhea, postpartum lochia retention, and periumbilical cold pain. Acupuncture depth is eight fen. Discharge upon obtaining De Qi. Moxibustion of one hundred Zhu is applicable.
Shen Que (One point), also named Qi He, is exactly at the umbilicus. It treats persistent diarrhea, continuous milk-induced diarrhea in infants, abdominal distension, periumbilical pain, edema and tympanites, intestinal borborygmus sounding like flowing water, and chronic cold injury and exhaustion. Moxibustion of one hundred Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture is prohibited.
Shui Fen (One point) is one cun below Xia Wan and one cun above the umbilicus. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats abdominal hardness like a drum, edema with intestinal borborygmus, stomach deficiency with distension, anorexia, periumbilical pain, Qi rushing to the chest causing dyspnea. Acupuncture depth is eight fen. Retain needle for three breaths, discharge using five exhalations and five inhalations. For water diseases, moxibustion is highly effective. Seven Zhu up to one hundred Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture is prohibited; puncturing until water drains leads to death.
Xia Wan (One point) is one cun below Jian Li. It is the intersection of Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian and Ren Mai. It treats abdominal pain, cold Qi of the six Fu organs, indigestion, anorexia, dark urine, abdominal hardness, fixed masses, movement of rebellious Qi above the umbilicus, and progressive emaciation. Acupuncture depth is eight fen. Retain needle for three breaths, discharge using five exhalations and five inhalations. Moxibustion is effective. Fourteen Zhu up to two hundred Zhu is applicable.
Jian Li (One point) is one cun below Zhong Wan. It treats epigastric pain, anorexia, vomiting and rebellious Qi, abdominal distension, and generalized edema. Acupuncture depth is five fen. Retain needle for ten breaths. Moxibustion of five Zhu is applicable.
Zhong Wan (One point), also named Tai Cang, is the Mu-Point of the Stomach. It is one cun below Shang Wan. It is generated by Hand-Taiyang, Hand-Shaoyang, and Foot-Yangming, and is the intersection of Ren Mai. Shang Ji refers to Zhong Wan. It treats epigastric fullness, food stagnation from overeating, cholera-like diarrhea without awareness, heart pain, warm malaria, excessive water intake in cold damage, abdominal distension, asthma, Ben Tun Qi attacking upwards due to excessive reading, Fu Liang mass under the heart like an inverted cup, cold phlegm-stagnation Qi. Acupuncture depth is eight fen. Retain needle for seven breaths, discharge using five exhalations and five inhalations. Withdraw needle quickly. Moxibustion is effective. Fourteen Zhu up to one hundred Zhu is applicable.
Shang Wan (One point) is one cun below Ju Que, at one and a half cun distance, three cun from the xiphoid process. It is the intersection of Ren Mai, Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian, and Hand-Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian. It treats heat and irritability in the heart, Ben Tun Qi distension preventing eating, cholera with vomiting and diarrhea, fever without sweating, excessive salivation due to parasites, Wind-Xin palpitations, unbearable heart pain, Fu Liang Qi like an inverted cup. Acupuncture depth is eight fen. Tonify first, then discharge. This is miraculous. For Wind-Epilepsy and febrile diseases, discharge first, then tonify; the disease resolves immediately. Moxibustion is effective. Daily moxibustion of fourteen Zhu up to one hundred Zhu is applicable. If unresolved, double the amount.
Ju Que (One point) is the Mu-Point of the Heart. It is one cun below Jiu Wei. In individuals with a short xiphoid process, adjust slightly. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats mental restlessness and fullness, phlegm-fluid in the chest due to febrile disease, acute abdominal distension and pain, trance and loss of consciousness, Xi Ben spitting blood, Ascaris heart pain, gu poison and cholera, mania and confusion, palpitations and shortness of Qi. Acupuncture depth is six fen. Retain needle for seven breaths, discharge upon obtaining De Qi. Moxibustion is effective. Seven Zhu up to forty-nine Zhu is applicable.
Jiu Wei (One point), also named Wei Yi, is five fen below the xiphoid process in the anterior chest. It treats Wind-Xin epilepsy, pain during attacks with aversion to speech, heart and abdominal distension with chest fullness, coughing with frequent belching and wheezing, throat obstruction and congestion, inability to swallow fluids. Moxibustion is prohibited, as it causes insufficiency of heart power. This point is difficult to needle; improper technique may extract too much Qi, potentially causing premature death. Acupuncture depth is three fen. Retain needle for three breaths, discharge using five exhalations and five inhalations. For obese patients, double the depth.
Zhong Ting (One point) is in the depression one cun six fen below Dan Zhong. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats flank fullness, dysphagia preventing swallowing, and regurgitation of food. Moxibustion of five Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture depth is three fen.
Dan Zhong (One point), also written as "Dan", named Yuan Er, is one cun six fen below Yu Tang, in the depression directly between the breasts. Take with patient supine. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats Lung Qi cough with wheezing and expectoration of pus, inability to eat, sensation of blockage in the chest. Moxibustion of forty-nine Zhu is applicable. It also treats Ge Qi (diaphragmatic constraint), vomiting of saliva and foam, and low lactation in women. Acupuncture is prohibited, as it may cause premature death.
Zi Gong (One point) is in the depression one cun six fen below Hua Gai. Take with head tilted back. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats chest and diaphragm fullness, pain in the sternum and ribs, inability to eat, retching, rebellious Qi, and irritability. Moxibustion of five Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture depth is three fen.
Hua Gai (One point) is in the depression one cun below Xuan Ji. Take with head tilted back. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats chest and flank fullness, pain radiating to the chest, coughing with rebellious Qi, wheezing and inability to speak. Moxibustion of five Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture depth is three fen.
Xuan Ji (One point) is in the depression one cun below Tian Tu. Take with head tilted back. It is the site where Ren Mai Qi emerges. It treats fullness and pain in the chest skin, throat obstruction and swelling, inability to swallow fluids. Moxibustion of five Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture depth is three fen.
Tian Tu (One point) is in the hollow one cun below the laryngeal prominence. It is the intersection of Yin Wei Mai and Ren Mai. Acupuncture depth is five fen. Retain needle for three breaths, discharge upon obtaining De Qi. It treats coughing with rebellious Qi, chest Qi obstruction, sound in throat like a water frog, Lung congestion with expectoration of pus and blood, dry throat and tightness under the tongue, ulcers in the throat, and inability to eat. Moxibustion is acceptable but inferior to acupuncture. Insert needle vertically; do not lower the hand, lest you injure the Qi of the five Zang organs.
Lian Quan (One point), also named She Ben, is below the chin, above the laryngeal prominence. It is the intersection of Yin Wei Mai and Ren Mai. It treats swelling under the tongue making speech difficult, tongue deviation with drooling, coughing with rebellious Qi, wheezing and vomiting foam, lockjaw with retraction of the tongue root, and difficulty eating. Moxibustion of three Zhu is applicable. Acupuncture depth is three fen. Discharge upon obtaining De Qi.
Cheng Jiang (One point), also named Chui Jiang, is in the hollow in front of the chin below the lip. It is the intersection of Foot-Yangming Stomach Meridian and Ren Mai. It treats hemiplegia and facial paralysis, facial swelling, Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst), and dental caries with ulceration. Moxibustion is excellent. Daily moxibustion of seven Zhu up to forty-nine Zhu is applicable. After moxibustion, blood vessels become unblocked, wind pathogens resolve immediately. Use small moxa cones, sized like the head of a small bamboo chopstick. If the vessel is thin like a thread, ensure the moxa cone breaks the skin and aligns with the vessel to cure the disease. For chronic cold below the umbilicus, hernia, Zha Ju, Fu Liang, and accumulated Qi, large moxa cones are suitable. Thus, *Duan Ju* formulas state: The abdomen and back should receive five hundred Zhu; limbs are only for dispelling wind and should not receive excessive moxibustion, limited to seven to forty-nine Zhu, depending on age. Although Ju Que and Jiu Wei are chest/abdomen points, moxibustion should not exceed forty-nine Zhu, using small cones aligned with the vessel. Large cones and excessive moxibustion on the chest/abdomen cause permanent insufficiency of heart power. Excessive moxibustion on the head causes loss of spirit. Excessive moxibustion on arms and legs causes depletion of blood vessels, thinning of limbs, weakness, loss of spirit, and exhaustion of true Qi. Acupuncture depth is three fen. Discharge upon obtaining De Qi.