CMAC212 - Session 4
o Yuan Source pints
Xi-cleft points
o Luo Connecting
points
Lower He Sea points
Chinese Medicine Department
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Session 4
EXPLORE, DISCUSS,
UNDERSTAND & DEMONSTRATE
the appropriate use of Yuan Source,
Luo Connecting, Xi-cleft and Lower
He Sea points.
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Yuan Source
Points
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Historical Context
o Similar to the Five Shu points, the Yuan
source points were first mentioned in the
Ling-Shu (Spiritual Pivot), a section of the
Huang Di Nei Jing (Yellow Emperor’s Inner
Classic), created between the Warring States
period (475-221 BCE) and the early Han
period (206 BCE–220 CE)
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Yuan Source
• The yuan-source points were first listed in Chapter
1 of the Ling shu
• The qi below the navel, between the Kidneys is the
basis of human life, and the root of the twelve
channels. It is known as the original qi
• The places where this original qi resides are known
as the yuan-source points
Translated by Jing-Nuan, 1993. pp 4-5.
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Yuan-Source points on Yin Channels
• The yuan source of the yin channels are also the
shu-stream points.
• Their functions are interconnected.
• The yuan-source and shu-stream points of the
yin channels are indicated for deficiency of the
relevant channel or internal organ.
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Yuan Source / Earth / Shu
Stream points of the Yin Mai
L 9 (Taiyuan) Mother point
P 7 (Daling) Son point
H 7 (Shenmen) Son point
Sp 3 (Taibai)
Liv 3 (Taichong)
K 3 (Taixi)
Notice that the Pericardium & Heart Yuan Source points are
also child points, used for reducing, what do make of this?
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Heart and Pericardium Channel YuanSource Points
• Originally there was no yuan source point for the Heart
channel and the heart and Pericardium were considered
one organ.
• Daling PC-7 was stated as the yuan-source point of the
Heart in the Ling Shu.
• The Nan Jing then talks of PC 7 & HE 7 as both being
source points for the heart.
• The Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
was the first text to discuss Heart and Pericardium Yuan
Source points as we now understand them.
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Heart and
Pericardium Yuan
Source Points
One of the theories
behind why there
was no Heart Source
Point is due to the
Heart’s position as
the Emperor, (don’t
mess with the
Emperor).
Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing dynasty.
Unknown artist, I7th century
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Also……
• As a fire element the Heart tends towards
excess, you may be less inclined to tonify it.
• The Heart governs the Shen – you might
want to tread lightly.
• The heart has often been treated indirectly
via other channels and elements, consider
five phase theory and it’s application.
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Yuan Source / Earth / Shu
Stream points of the Yin Mai
L 9 (Taiyuan) Mother point
P 7 (Daling) Son point
H 7 (Shenmen) Son point
Sp 3 (Taibai)
Liv 3 (Taichong)
K 3 (Taixi)
Questions?
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6 Yuan Source / Shu Stream
Points
6 Yin Channels
Wood
Fire
Earth
Metal
Water
Jing- (Well)
Ying- (Spring)
Shu- (Stream)
Jing- (River)
He- (Sea)
Lung
Hand-Taiyin
L 11
(Shaoshang)
L 10
(Yuji)
L9
(Taiyuan)
Mother
L8
(Jingqu)
L5
(Chize)
Son
Pericardium
Hand-Jueyin
P9
(Zhongchong)
Mother
P8
(Laogong)
P7
(Daling)
Son
P5
(Jianshi)
P3
(Quze)
Heart
Hand-Shaoyin
H9
(Shaochong)
Mother
H8
(Shaofu
H7
(Shenmen)
Son
H4
(Lingdao)
H3
(Shaohai)
Spleen
Foot-Taiyin
Sp 1
(Yinbai)
Sp 2
(Dadu)
Mother
Sp 3
(Taibai)
Sp 5
(Shangqui)
Son
Sp 9
(Yinlingquan)
Liver
Foot-Jueyin
Liv 1
(Dadun)
Liv 2
(Xingjian)
Son
Liv 3
(Taichong)
Liv 4
(Zhongfeng)
Liv 8
(Ququan)
Mother
Kidney
Foot-Shaoyin
K1
(Yongquan)
Son
K2
(Rangu)
K3
(Taixi)
K7
K 10
(Fuliu)
(Yingu)
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Yuan-Source points on Yang Channels
• The yuan-source point of the yang
channels are points in their own right and
have quite a different function to the yuansource of the yin channels.
• The yuan source points of the yang
channels have little tonifying effect or
ability to regulate their related fu.
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Yuan-Source points on Yang Channels
• Clinically their actions are to dispel various
kinds of excess pathogenic factors
&
• To treat disorders along the pathway of
their respective channels.
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For Example…….
o Hegu L.I.-4 is used to dispel exterior wind
pathogens and regulate the whole course of the
Large Intestine channel yet has negligible action
on the Large Intestine organ.
o Wangu SI-4 primarily treats contraction, stiffness
and pain along the entire length of the Small
Intestine channel, including the hand, elbow,
arm, shoulder, neck and back.
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So what is the difference between Yuan
Source points on Yin & Yang channels?
• Yuan Source points on Yin channels tonify
deficiency.
• On Yang channels they clear excess
pathogenic factors & disorders along their
respective channel pathways.
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Yuan-Source Points
LUNG
LU9
LARGE INTESTINE LI4
HEART
HE7
SMALL INTESTINE
SI4
SPLEEN
SP3
STOMACH
ST42
PERICARDIUM
PE7
SAN JIAO
SJ4
LIVER
LV3
GALLBLADDER
GB40
KIDNEY
KI3
BLADDER
BL64
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Yuan-Source as alarm points
Scroll one of the Ling Shu states
"If the five zang are diseased, abnormal reactions will appear
at the twelve yuan-source points; by knowing the
correspondence of the yuan-source points to the relevant
zang, the reaction can be seen, and thus one can identify
which of the five zang are injured". (Ling Shu translated by Jing-Nuan 1993, p. 5)
For example, tenderness at a Yuan-source point
often indicates pathological changes of the
associated meridian and the internally related
organ.
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Luo Connecting
Points
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Luo-Connecting Points
o Each of the 14 main meridians (Du & Ren
inclusive) contain Luo points
o In addition to this, the spleen channel contains
the ‘Great Luo of the Spleen’.
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Luo-Connecting Points
o The Luo-Connecting points strengthen the
connection between the interior-exterior
relationship of the channel and zang-fu
i.e. Lung and Large Intestine
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Luo-Connecting Points
The Luo-Connecting points treat:
o Conditions of the interior-exterior related
channel and zang-fu
o Disorders along the Luo channel
o Mental-emotional disorders
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Luo Connecting Points
LU
7
KI
4
BL
58
HT
5
LI
6
LR
5
SI
7
GB
37
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Luo Connecting Points
PC
6
CV
15
GV
1
TE
5
SP 4
ST
40
SP 21
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Clinical Application
• Luo connecting points and yuan source
points can be used to create beneficial
partnerships in a point prescription?
• How do you think you could use them
together?
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Clinical Application
• Yuan and Luo-connecting partnerships are particularly
helpful for balancing excess and deficiency between yin
yang partners.
• For example in treating Spleen qi deficiency and
Stomach excess you might pair SP 3 (Yuan) with ST 40
(Luo-connecting).
• Sometimes the luo-connecting point on both channels
are used.
• For example SP 4 and ST 40.
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Clinical Application
• How would you treat a Liver excess and
Gall-bladder deficiency using a Yuan
Source and Luo-connecting partnerships?
• The Yuan Source of the Gallbladder channel is
GB 40 & this could be partnered with Liver 5 the
luo-connecting point. (Or you could choose the
Gallbladders Luo-connecting point GB37).
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Guest & Host
The Guest Host method of point prescription refers
to the combination of Yuan Source and LuoConnecting points utilising Yin Yang paired
meridians.
• To tonify a deficient meridian - tonify the Yuan Source
point and disperse the luo-Connecting point on it’s paired
meridian.
• To disperse an excess in a meridian – reduce the Yuan
Source point and tonify the Luo Connecting point on it’s
paired meridian.
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Clinical Application
• Remember Luo-connecting points are very
good at treating emotional and energetic
imbalance while Yuan source are indicated
for deficiency, this might help you
differentiate the best approach to take with
your point combination.
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Xi-Cleft Points
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Xi-Cleft Points
o The Xi-Cleft points are found on the 12 Main
meridians and Yin & Yang Qiao and Yin &
Yang Wei Vessels.
o The Xi-Cleft points are said to be areas in
which qi and blood delve deeper into the body.
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Xi-Cleft Points
o The points are utilised to treat acute disorders
of the organ of the meridian they lay on.
o They are particularly helpful in treating pain.
o The Xi-Cleft points on the yin meridians have
the additional function of treating blood
disorders.
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Xi-Cleft Points
Xi-Cleft points of the Yin Meridians
Lung
Pericardium
Heart
Spleen
Liver
Kidney
LU 6 (Kongzui)
PC 4 (Ximen)
HT 6 (Yinxi)
SP 8 (Diji)
LIV 6 (Zhongdu)
KID 5 (Shuiquan)
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Xi-Cleft Points
Xi-Cleft points of the Yang Meridians
Large
San Jiao
Small Intestine
Stomach
Gallbladder
Bladder
LI 7 (Wenliu )
SJ 7 (Huizhong)
SI 6 (Yanglao)
ST 34 (Liangqiu)
GB 36 (Waiqiu)
BL 63 (Jinmen)
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Xi-Cleft Points
Xi-Cleft points of the Extra Meridians
Yin Qiao
Yang Qiao
Yin Wei
Yang Wei
KI 8 (Jiaoxin)
BL 59 (Fuyang)
KI 9 (Zhubin)
GB 35 (Yangjiao)
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2 Minute Paper
This is a way for you to self-asses your own learning.
Please take only two minutes to answer the following
questions, without searching any sources.
o What is your understanding of the Xi-cleft points?
When would you use them?
o What is your understanding of Luo Connecting
points? How do you use them?
o Discuss Yuan Source points.
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2 Minute Paper
How did you go?
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In Summary
• Yuan Source – Tonifies, especially on yin
channels.
• Lou Connecting – Balances yin/yang pairs
and emotions.
• Xi Cleft – Reduce accumulation & treats
acute conditions
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The Lower
He-Sea Points
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Class Discussion
What are the Lower He Sea points?
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The Lower
He-Sea Points
o In addition to the standard He-sea
points, the yang meridians of the arm
have points on the lower limb that are
considered to treat fu organs.
o These are referred to as the Lower
He-sea points.
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The Lower He-Sea Points
While the meridians of these fu are located on the upper
portion of the body, their lower He-Sea point is located
on the Fu meridians of the foot.
Large Intestine
Small Intestine
Triple Energiser
ST 37 (Shangjuxu)
ST 39 (Xiajuxu)
BL 39 (Weiyang)
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Lower He Sea
Why do these Lower He Sea points exist?
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Lower He Sea Points
• The He Sea points of the yang channels of
the arm have little effect on their
respective Fu.
• For example Lower He Sea point ST 37 is
more effective at treating intestinal
disorders than Channel He Sea point LI 11
which is predominately used for clearing
heat from the body.
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Who feels lucky??
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Patient of the Day
Lecturer demonstration of patient diagnosis
& point prescription construction.
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Pre-Readings
 Are there any areas where you struggled with the 2
minute paper, if so please spend some time making sure
you have a thorough understanding of all the material we
have covered to date.
 Next week we are looking at front mu & hui meeting
points. Please research both these point categories
including their clinical application.
 Find a body! During the week finding a willing model and
gently palpate each of these points. Record your findings
and consider each points clinical significance.
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References
Emperor Shunzhi of the Qing dynasty. Unknown artist, I7th century. Viewed 4th February 2016
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Emperor_Shunzhi.jpg
Ling Shu 480-222BC author unknown Translated by Jing-Nuan, W. 1993. The Daoist Center.
Washington U.S.A.
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