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Jueyin Liver Meridian

The Qi of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian originates at the pubic hair on the big toe. It ascends along the medial margin of the dorsum of the foot, one cun anterior to the medial malleolus.

The three hairs behind the nail of the big toe are called "Sanmao" (Three Hairs). The transverse crease behind these hairs is where the pubic hair gathers. "Qu" means distance. The Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian starts at the Dazhun (LR1) acupoint in the pubic hair of the big toe. It follows the medial margin of the dorsum of the foot, passing through Xingjian (LR2) and Taichong (LR3), reaching Zhongfeng (LR4) one cun anterior to the medial malleolus.

Ascending eight cun above the ankle, it crosses posterior to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian. It ascends along the medial aspect of the leg.

From Zhongfeng ascending past Sanjiaojiao (SP6) at eight cun above the ankle, it passes through Ligou (LR5) and Zhongdu (LR6), then ascends another cun, crossing again posterior to the Foot-Taiyin Spleen Meridian, ascending along the medial aspect of the leg to Xiguan (LR7) and Ququan (LR8).

It follows the medial thigh into the genital region, circles the external genitalia, reaches the lower abdomen. It flanks the stomach, belongs to the Liver, and connects with the Gallbladder.

The inner thigh is called "Gu". The area below the umbilicus is called the "lower abdomen". Ascending from Ququan, it follows Yinbao (LR9), Wuli (LR10), and Yinlian (LR11) on the medial thigh, arriving at the boundary of Chongmen (ST30) and Fushé (ST29). It flanks the stomach, belongs to the Liver, and connects downward with the Danmü (GB24) point of the Gallbladder.

It pierces the diaphragm and spreads over the costal and hypochondriac regions. It follows the posterior aspect of the throat, enters the nasopharynx (Hangsang), connects with the visual system (Muxi), emerges above the forehead, and meets the Du Meridian at the vertex.

The deep part inside the inner canthus is called the "visual system". "Hangsang" refers to the upper pharynx. From Qimen (LR14), it pierces the diaphragm, runs outside Shidou (ST17) and inside Dabao (SP21), spreading over the costal and hypochondriac regions. It ascends to Yunmen (LU1), emerges above the forehead, runs inside Linqi (GB15) of the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, and meets the Du Meridian at Baihui (GV20) on the vertex.

A branch descends from the visual system to the cheek interior, circling the inner lips.

Previously mentioned branches ascend from the visual system to emerge above the forehead; this branch descends from the visual system, located outside the Ren Meridian and inside the main meridian, descending to the cheek interior, crossing and circling inside the mouth.

Another branch diverges from the Liver, pierces the diaphragm separately, and flows upward into the Lungs.

This is a branch connecting meridians, diverging from the Qimen point where it belongs to the Liver, piercing the diaphragm, running outside Shidou and inside the main meridian, flowing upward into the Lungs, descending to the Middle Jiao, flanking the Zhongwan (CV12) area, thereby connecting with the Hand-Taiyin Lung Meridian.

This meridian has abundant blood and scarce Qi. Its Qi and Blood flow into it during the Chou hour (1:00-3:00 AM). It receives transmission from the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian. There are thirteen acupoints in total, twenty-six bilaterally. Needling depth is one fen, retention time is two breaths.

Dazhun (LR1): Located at the distal end of the big toe, about the width of a leek leaf from the nail, and among the three hairs. Another view states that the medial side is Yinbai (SP1) and the lateral side is Dazhun. It treats pain caused by disorders of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, sweating, Qi rushing up into the lower abdomen, unilateral enlargement of the scrotum, pain in the center of the navel, depression and unhappiness. Treat the right side for left-sided disease, and the left side for right-sided disease. It treats abdominal distension and swelling, lower abdominal pain, internal heat with drowsiness, corpse-like fainting (Shijue), continuous metrorrhagia in women, uterine prolapse (Yintingchu), and genital pain.

Xingjian (LR2): Located between the big toe and the second toe, in the depression where the artery is palpable. It is the Ying-Spring point of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, corresponding to Fire. For Liver Excess, drain this point. Suwen commentary states: needle three fen. It treats tendon disorders, chest and hypochondriac pain, lower abdominal swelling, cough with Qi rebellion and hematemesis, penile pain, low back pain with inability to bend or extend, abdominal distension, Xiao Chang Qi (intestinal hernia), Liver Heart Pain (pale cyan face like death, unable to breathe all day), epilepsy with shortness of breath, difficulty in urination and defecation, seven types of hernias and cold hernias, wind-stroke, Liver accumulation Feiqi, malaria attacks, lower abdominal swelling in women, facial dustiness and loss of complexion, excessive menstrual bleeding, metrorrhagia, pediatric acute convulsive wind. Dongyuan said: Foul odor of the anterior yin. The anterior yin is where the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian collaterals circulate through the genitalia and emerge at the tip. All odors are governed by the Heart; entering the Liver, they manifest as fishy odor. Draining Xingjian on the Liver meridian treats the root; subsequently draining Shaochong (HT9) on the Heart meridian treats the branch. According to Nanjing, the Liver's odor is fishy, the Heart's is scorched, the Spleen's is fragrant, the Lung's is raw/fishy, and the Kidney's is putrid. Each Zang organ has its own odor, but all are governed by the Heart. Thus, draining Xingjian treats it. Axillary osmidrosis also belongs to fishy odor, so the treatment method is similar to foul odor of the anterior yin. Medicinals include Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), Caolongdan (Longanae Radix/Dracocephali Radix - *Note: Context implies Longdan Cao Gentianae Radix*), Cheqianzi (Plantaginis Semen), and Huanglian (Coptidis Rhizoma) to drain the Heart and Liver meridians.

Taichong (LR3): Located two cun posterior to the proximal interphalangeal joint of the big toe, or one and a half cun, between the tendons, where the artery is palpable in the depression. It is the Shu-Stream point of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, corresponding to Earth. For normal individuals, needle three fen, retain for ten breaths, moxa three zhuans. It treats heart pain with wiry pulse, Ma Huang disease, plague, shoulder swelling and lip injury, deficiency consumption with edema, low back pain radiating to the lower abdomen, retraction of both testicles, loose stools and enuresis, genital pain, cyan face, chest and hypochondriac fullness, cold feet, Liver Heart Pain with pale cyan face like death, inability to breathe all day, difficulty in defecation, hematochezia, dysuria, Xiao Chang hernia pain, Hu hernia, difficult urination, hematemesis and vomiting, chills, dry throat with thirst, elbow swelling, pain anterior to the medial malleolus, weakness and soreness, axillary Machdao ulcer, lip swelling, continuous leukorrhea in women, sudden hernia in infants.

Zhongfeng (LR4) (also known as Xuanquan): Located one cun anterior to the medial malleolus, in the depression within the tendon. Suwen commentary states one and a half cun. Take with the foot extended to find the depression; straightening the foot reveals it. It treats lower abdominal swelling and pain, food stagnation with periumbilical pain, five types of strangury with inability to urinate, cold feet, yellow body with slight fever, anorexia, numbness of the body, cold hernia, waist pain, or slight fever, flaccidity and impotence with seminal emission, tendon cramping, retraction of the penis into the abdomen with pulling pain.

Ligou (LR5) (also known as Jiaoyi): Located five cun above the medial malleolus. The Foot-Jueyin collateral diverges to the Shaoyang. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: needle two fen, retain for three breaths, moxa three zhuans. Xiajing states: If there are polyps, rigidity of the back preventing bending or extending, difficult urination, accumulation of Qi under the umbilicus hard as stone, cold and soreness of the lower leg, difficulty in flexion and extension. Red and white leukorrhea in women, irregular menstruation. Qi rebellion causes sudden testicular pain; Excess leads to erection and elongation, drain it; Deficiency leads to sudden itching, tonify it.

Zhongdu (LR6) (also known as Zhongxi): Located seven cun above the medial malleolus, in the bone, aligned with the Shaoyin. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: needle three fen, moxa five zhuans. It treats intestinal dysentery, hernia, lower abdominal pain, inability to walk or stand, cold legs, metrorrhagia in women, continuous lochia after childbirth.

Xiguan (LR7): Located two cun below Dubi (ST35) in the lateral depression. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: needle four fen, moxa five zhuans. It treats wind-bi, pain on the medial knee radiating to the patella, inability to flex or extend, pain in the throat.

Ququan (LR8): Located on the medial aspect of the knee and thigh, below the accessory bone, above the large tendon and below the small tendon, in the depression. Take with the knee flexed at the head of the transverse crease. It is the He-Sea point of the Foot-Jueyin Liver Meridian, corresponding to Water. It treats strangury and retention, shortness of Qi, diarrhea, inability to lift the limbs. Excess manifests as body and eye vertigo/pain, no sweating, blurred vision, knee joint pain, tendon cramping with inability to flex or extend, mania, epistaxis and lower bleeding, panting, lower abdominal pain radiating to the throat, seminal emission due to sexual exhaustion, extreme body pain, diarrhea with pus and blood, genital swelling, penile pain, scrotal swelling, cold pain in the knee and shin, blood stasis mass in women (feels like hot water soaked thigh when pressed), lower abdominal swelling, uterine prolapse, genital itching.

Yinbao (LR9): Located four cun above the knee, between the two tendons on the medial thigh. Take supine; looking at the medial knee, there must be a groove. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: needle six fen, moxa three zhuans. Xiajing states seven fen. It treats low back and sacrum pain radiating to the lower abdomen, difficult urination, enuresis, irregular menstruation in women.

Wuli (LR10): Located three cun below Qichong (ST30), where the artery is palpable in the medial thigh. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: needle six fen, moxa five zhuans. It treats abdominal fullness, heat obstruction preventing urination, wind-consumption with drowsiness.

Yinlian (LR11): Located below the sheep testicle (inguinal ligament area), two cun from the artery at Qichong. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: needle eight fen, retain for seven breaths, moxa three zhuans. It treats sterility in women. If she has not given birth, moxa three zhuans, and she will conceive.

Zhangmen (LR13) (also known as Changping, also known as Xi Duan): Located lateral to Dacheng (SP15), directly opposite the end of the floating rib, two cun above the umbilicus, nine cun laterally. Lie on the side, flex the upper leg. Commentary says: Treat organ diseases here. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: needle six fen, moxa one hundred zhuans. Mingtang states seven zhuans daily, stopping at five hundred zhuans. Suwen commentary states: needle eight fen, retain for six breaths, moxa three zhuans. It treats borborygmus, indigestion, hypochondriac pain, inability to lie down, irritability, fever, dry mouth, anorexia, chest and hypochondriac pain with fullness, panting, heart pain with vomiting, regurgitation, food coming out, low back pain with inability to turn, cold pain of the lumbar spine, excessive white turbid urine, jaundice and emaciation after overeating,贲豚 (Pien-tun/Gas tumor), accumulations, drum-like abdominal swelling, spinal stiffness, limb lethargy, fearfulness, shortness of Qi, reversal cold, inability to raise shoulder and arm. Dongyuan said: For Qi in the intestines and stomach, take Taiyin and Yangming points. If ineffective, take Zusanli (ST36), Zhangmen (LR13), and Zhongwan (CV12). Wei Shi's wife Xu suffered from hernia, with fullness and distension from below the umbilicus to the heart, vomiting, irritability, and inability to eat. Hua Borén said: This is Cold in the Lower Jiao; moxa Zhangmen (LR13) and Qihai (CV6).

Qimen (LR14): Directly below the nipple at the end of the second rib, one and a half cun lateral to Burong (ST19). Also stated as one and a half cun directly below the nipple. It is the Front-Mu point of the Liver, meeting the Foot-Jueyin and Foot-Taiyin meridians. Tongren Acupuncture Classic states: Lie supine. It treats accumulated Qi under the hypochondrium, heart-cutting pain in Shanghan (Cold Damage), preference for sour vomiting, inability to eat, vomiting water after eating, chest and hypochondriac pain with fullness, blood-binding chest fullness in men and women, red face with fire-dryness, dry mouth with wasting-thirst, unbearable chest pain. Shanghan progressing beyond the stage without resolution, Heat entering the Blood Chamber. In men, it injures via the Yangming, causing bloody stool and delirium; in women, it enters when menstruation is just starting, taking advantage of deficiency, and residual ailments after childbirth. Zhongjing said: Abdominal fullness and delirium in Shanghan, cun pulse subtle and tight, this is Liver attacking Spleen, named Zong (Vertical); puncture Qimen. Fever, shivering aversion to cold, great thirst for water, abdominal fullness, spontaneous sweating, free urination in Shanghan indicates the disease is resolving; this is Liver attacking Lung, named Heng (Horizontal); puncture Qimen. Also said: Taiyang and Shaoyang combined disease, stiff neck and headache, sometimes like chest binding, hardness below the heart; should puncture Dazhui (GV14) first interspace, Feishu (BL13), Ganshu (BL18). Do not induce sweating; inducing sweating causes delirium. If delirium persists for five to six days, puncture Qimen. Also said: Wind-stroke in women, fever and aversion to cold, menstruation just started, after seven to eight days, heat subsides, pulse slows, body cools, fullness below the chest and hypochondrium like chest binding, delirium; this is Heat entering the Blood Chamber; puncture Qimen. Also said: Yangming disease, bloody stool and delirium; this is Heat entering the Blood Chamber; if only the head sweats, puncture Qimen. Wang Shuhe said: Shaoyin pulse does not reach, Kidney Qi is weak, essence and blood are scant, rushing Qi forces upward into the chest and diaphragm, Zong Qi gathers inversely, blood binds below the heart, Yang Qi retreats downward, Heat returns to the medial thigh, moving with Yin, causing bodily numbness; this is Corpse-like Fainting (Shijue); puncture Qimen (LR14) and Jueque (CV14). A woman suffered from Heat entering the Blood Chamber; the physician did not recognize it. Xu Xueshi said: Using Xiaochaihu Tang is too late; should puncture Qimen. I cannot needle; please ask a skilled needle practitioner. She recovered as instructed.

Commentary: In Shanghan, fever, shivering aversion to cold, great thirst, drinking water leading to abdominal fullness, until spontaneous sweating occurs, then the Exterior is resolved; free urination means the Interior is harmonious. Therefore, it is suspected that there are superfluous characters in the text. Thus, Danxi said to Luo Chengzhi: Zhongjing's book is not the complete work; some texts may be incomplete, some meanings may be unfinished. Every time I think of it, I cannot help but have doubts. This is what is meant.