足厥阴之脉起于大指聚毛之际(大敦穴)上循足跗上廉(本节前行间穴本节后太冲穴)去内
踝一
寸(中封穴)上踝八寸交出太阴之后上 内廉(曲泉穴)循股阴入毛中环阴器抵小腹挟胃属肝络
胆上贯膈布胁肋循喉咙之后上入颃颡(额也)运目系上出额与督脉会于巅其支者从目系下颊里
环唇内其支者复从肝别贯膈上注肺口(自此交入手太阴)是动则病腰痛不可以俯仰丈夫
疝妇人
小腹肿甚则嗌干面尘脱色是主肝所生病者胸满呕逆洞泄狐疝遗尿闭癃盛者寸口大一倍于人迎
虚者寸口反小于人迎也(灵枢)○丑时自窍阴交与大敦循膝股上行至期门穴止(入门)○厥阴根
于大敦结于玉英络于膻中(灵枢)
大敦二穴在足大指端去爪甲如韭叶后三毛中(入门)○在足大指聚毛中(资生)○足厥阴脉
之所生为井针入三分留六呼可灸三壮(铜人)
行间二穴在足大指间动脉应手(铜人)○在大指次指岐骨间动脉陷中(入门)○足厥阴脉之
所流为荣针入六分留十呼可灸三壮(铜人)
太冲二穴在足大指本节后二寸冲脉中(铜人)○在足大指间本节后二寸动脉应手(资生)○
在行间上二寸(灵枢)○足厥阴脉之所注为 针入二分留十呼可灸三壮(铜人)
中封二穴一名悬泉在足内踝前一寸陷中(铜人)○在内踝前一寸斜行小脉上(资生)○足厥
阴脉
之所行为经仰足取之(灵枢)○针入四分留七呼可灸三壮(铜人)○在内踝之前一寸半陷者之中
使逆则宛使和则通摇足而得之其穴使足逆仰则穴有宛陷可定针使手足和其穴有巷道可通故曰
使逆则宛使和则通也(灵枢)
蠡沟二穴一名交仪在足内踝上五寸足厥阴络别走少阳针入二分留三呼可灸三壮(铜人)
中都二穴一名中 在内踝上七寸胫骨中与少阴相直针入三分可灸五壮(铜人)
膝关二穴在犊鼻下二寸旁陷中向里针入四分可灸五壮(铜人)
曲泉二穴在膝内辅骨下大筋上小筋下陷中屈膝取之(铜人)○在辅骨下横纹尖陷中(入门)
○正
膝屈内外两筋间宛宛中又云在膝曲横纹头(资生)○足厥阴脉之所入为合针入六分留十呼可灸
三壮(铜人)
阴包二穴一名阴胞在膝上四寸股内廉两筋间针入六分可灸三壮(铜人)
五里二穴在气冲下三寸阴股中动脉应手针入六分可灸五壮(铜人)
阴廉二穴在羊朱下去气冲二寸动脉中针入八分留七呼可灸三壮若未经生产妇人可灸即有
子(铜人)○羊朱二穴在气冲外一寸(入门)
章门二穴脾之募也一名长平一名胁 在大横外直脐旁(铜人)○在脐上二寸横取六寸侧胁
季胁
端陷中(入门)○直脐季胁端侧卧屈上足伸下足举臂取之(纲目)在脐上二寸两旁九寸(资生)针
入六分可灸一百壮(铜人)
期门二穴肝之募也在不容旁一寸五分直两乳下第二肋端(铜人)○直两乳下第二肋端旁一
寸半
又云乳直下一寸半(资生)○令人仰卧从脐心正中向上五寸以墨点定从墨点两边横量各二寸半
此乃正穴大约直两乳为的用同身寸(类聚)
The Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridian originates at the lateral tuft of hair on the big toe (Dadun, LR1), ascends along the medial margin of the dorsum of the foot (passing Xingjian, LR2 and Taichong, LR3), one cun anterior to the medial malleolus (Zhongfeng, LR4), crosses behind the Foot-Taiyin (Spleen) meridian at eight cun above the ankle, continues upward along the medial aspect of the thigh (Qiquan, LR8), circles the external genitalia, enters the lower abdomen, flanks the stomach, belongs to the Liver, and connects with the Gallbladder. It ascends through the diaphragm, spreads in the hypochondriac region, follows the posterior aspect of the throat, enters the nasopharynx (Hangsang), connects with the eye system (Ocular system connecting to the brain), emerges above the forehead, and meets the Du vessel at the vertex. A branch descends from the eye system to the inner cheek, circling the interior of the lips. Another branch diverges from the Liver, pierces the diaphragm, and flows upward into the Lungs (where it transfers to the Hand-Taiyin Lung meridian).
When pathological changes occur in this meridian, symptoms include lumbar pain preventing flexion and extension, hernia in men, and distension of the lower abdomen in women. In severe cases, there is dryness of the pharynx, a dusty complexion, and loss of luster. This meridian governs diseases generated by the Liver: chest fullness, vomiting and counterflow qi, profuse watery diarrhea, fox hernia, urinary enuresis, and stranguria. In excess conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is larger than the Ren Ying pulse by one fold; in deficiency conditions, the Cun Kou pulse is smaller than the Ren Ying pulse (Ling Shu). At Chou hour (1:00-3:00 AM), Qi and Blood transfer from the Qiaoyin point of the Foot-Shaoyang (Gallbladder) meridian into Dadun (LR1) of the Foot-Jueyin (Liver) meridian, ascending along the knee and thigh to terminate at Qimen (LR14). The Jueyin meridian roots at Dadun (LR1), knots at Yuying, and links at Danzhong (RN17) (Ling Shu).
Dadun (LR1): Two points located at the tip of the big toe, approximately width of a leek leaf posterior to the nail corner, within the tuft of hair (Ru Men). Or in the tuft of hair on the big toe (Zi Sheng). As the Jing-Well point where the Qi of the Foot-Jueyin meridian arises, needle depth is 3 fen, retain for 6 breaths, moxibustion 3 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Xingjian (LR2): Two points located at the arterial pulse between the first and second toes (Tong Ren). Or in the depression of the arterial pulse between the metatarsal bones of the adjacent toes (Ru Men). As the Ying-Spring point where the Qi of the Foot-Jueyin meridian flows, needle depth is 6 fen, retain for 10 breaths, moxibustion 3 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Taichong (LR3): Two points located 2 cun posterior to the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe, in the Chong vessel (Tong Ren). Or at the arterial pulse 2 cun posterior to the base of the big toe (Zi Sheng). 2 cun superior to Xingjian (Ling Shu). As the Shu-Stream point where the Qi of the Foot-Jueyin meridian pours in, needle depth is 2 fen, retain for 10 breaths, moxibustion 3 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Zhongfeng (LR4): Two points, also named Xuanquan, located in the depression 1 cun anterior to the medial malleolus (Tong Ren). Or on the oblique small vessel 1 cun anterior to the medial malleolus (Zi Sheng). As the Jing-River point where the Qi of the Foot-Jueyin meridian passes, take the position with the foot extended (Ling Shu). Needle depth 4 fen, retain for 7 breaths, moxibustion 3 moxa cones (Tong Ren). If located 1.5 cun anterior to the medial malleolus in the depression: reversing the foot causes the acupoint to be obstructed (Wan); harmonizing the foot allows flow (Tong). Shaking the foot locates the point. When the foot is reversed and extended, the point is depressed/closed; when harmonized, a channel opens. Hence, "Reverse leads to obstruction, Harmonize leads to flow" (Ling Shu).
Ligou (LR5): Two points, also named Jiaoyi, located 5 cun above the medial malleolus. As the Luo-Connecting point of the Foot-Jueyin Liver meridian, it diverges to the Foot-Shaoyang Gallbladder meridian. Needle depth 2 fen, retain for 3 breaths, moxibustion 3 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Zhongdu (LR6): Two points, also named Zhongxi, located 7 cun above the medial malleolus, posterior to the tibia, aligned with the Foot-Shaoyin Kidney meridian. Needle depth 3 fen, moxibustion 5 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Xiguan (LR7): Two points located 2 cun below Dubi (ST35), in the lateral depression. Needle inward, depth 4 fen, moxibustion 5 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Qiquan (LR8): Two points located below the medial condyle of the tibia, between the large tendon and small tendon, in the depression. Take with the knee flexed (Tong Ren). Or in the depression at the apex of the transverse crease below the condyle (Ru Men). Sitting upright with knees flexed, in the depression between the medial and lateral tendons. Also described as at the head of the transverse crease when the knee is bent (Zi Sheng). As the He-Sea point where the Qi of the Foot-Jueyin meridian enters, needle depth 6 fen, retain for 10 breaths, moxibustion 3 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Yinbao (LR9): Two points, also named Yinbao, located 4 cun above the knee, between two tendons on the medial aspect of the thigh. Needle depth 6 fen, moxibustion 3 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Wuli (LR10): Two points located 3 cun below Qichong (ST30), at the arterial pulse in the medial thigh. Needle depth 6 fen, moxibustion 5 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Yinlian (LR11): Two points located 2 cun below Yangzhu, in the arterial pulse. Needle depth 8 fen, retain for 7 breaths, moxibustion 3 moxa cones. Moxibustion here may induce pregnancy in nulliparous women (Tong Ren). Yangzhu (two points) is located 1 cun lateral to Qichong (Ru Men).
Zhangmen (LR13): Two points, the Front-Mu point of the Spleen, also named Changping or Xi'ao. Located lateral to Dahan (SP15), directly opposite the umbilicus (Tong Ren). Or 2 cun above the umbilicus, measuring 6 cun laterally, in the depression at the end of the costal margin while lying on the side (Ru Men). Directly opposite the umbilicus at the costal margin; lie on side, flex upper leg, extend lower leg, raise arm to locate (Gang Mu). 9 cun lateral to 2 cun above the umbilicus (Zi Sheng). Needle depth 6 fen, moxibustion 100 moxa cones (Tong Ren).
Qimen (LR14): Two points, the Front-Mu point of the Liver. Located 1.5 cun lateral to Burong (ST19), directly below the nipples at the second intercostal space (Tong Ren). Or directly below the nipples at the second rib end, 1.5 cun lateral. Also described as 1.5 cun below the nipple (Zi Sheng). Have the patient lie supine. Measure 5 cun vertically from the center of the umbilicus and mark with ink. Measure 2.5 cun horizontally from both sides of the mark. This is the correct location. Generally, use the distance between nipples as a reference with proportional measurement (Lei Ju Fang Guang Yi).