Acupuncture Point of the day: "Zu San Li" (Stomach 36)
One of the most important and commonly-treated acupuncture points is "Zu San Li" (Stomach 36). It is located on the stomach meridian and is well researched (link to various research results see below).
Acupuncture Point Zu San Li (Stomach 36)
This point is a significant acupuncture point in both the Chinese and Japanese tradition. It is known by the names "The point of longevity" or "the point of hundred diseases". According to stories, Chinese soldiers stopped after three miles and massaged this point to renew their energy.
Short overview of the most important functions:
• He sea point: direct link and reflex point of the internal organs
• Earth point on Earth Meridian (strengthens and nourishes the body)
• Main Yang Point (activates)
• Sea of water and grain
Studies have shown that „Zu San Li“ can have a positive impact on many Body functions and is often combined with other points.
Western Medicine physiology/pathology:
- Reproduction
- High blood pressure
- The function of the kidneys and adrenal glands
- Digestion
- The release of important hormones, e.g. Adrenalin and hydrocortisone (stress)
- Immune system
- Inflammation
- Insulin production
- Constipation
- Gastritis
- Incontinence
- Hiccup
TCM function:
- Supports the stomach and spleen function
- Reduces pain, cold, swelling and edemas
- Regulates Ying, Wei Qi (defense energy / immune system) and strengthens Qi (energy)
- Revives Yang
- Brings Qi down
- Brightens the eyes
- Calms the mind (Shen)
- Nourishes the Yin
(> Caution in pregnancy)
In order to understand the functions and use of this acupuncture point better, it is important to understand the function of the Fu-organ "Stomach" and the flow of the Stomach-Meridian.
Fu-organ "Stomach"
Main features:
Take in and process food
Distribution of food energy (Gu-Qi)
Production of liquids
Brings clear yang to the head
Production of "postnatal energy" (Jing Essence)
Nei Jing Ling Shu, chap.56: "The stomach is the sea of the Five Zang and the Six Fu organs since all the liquid and solid food get into the stomach, and so receives the Five Zang and the Six Fu organs all their respective qi from the stomach. "
Correspondance according to the 5-phases:
Season: late summer
Direction: middle
Climate: humidity
Taste: sweet
Color: yellow, brown
Associated organs: spleen (Zang- / storage organ), stomach (Fu- / hollow organ)
Sensory organs: mouth, lips
Body structures: muscles, connective tissue, lymphatic vessels
Emotion: worry
Mental state: logic, thinking, reasoning
Associated time: 7-9 a.m.
Stomach-Meridian (Zu Yang Ming)
Yang Meridian
active
dynamic
fullness
heat
inflammation
hyperfunction
sympathetic nervous System
Location and flow:
The Stomach-Meridian is located on the front of the body
It is the longest meridian in the front and runs from the head to the toe
Flow:
> first point (St1), right below the eye
> around the lips
> over the lower jaw
> in front of the ear up to the forehead (St8)
> down the neck over the collarbone (St12 /13)
> down over the Mamilla and along the navel over the entire abdomen
> over the groin to the thigh
> slightly lateral down the leg to the top of the foot
> ending on the outside of the nail of the second toe (St45)
For a long, healthy life, you can regularly massage this point. This is how you find it: About 4 fingers under the kneecap, on the outside of the leg in the recess between the tibia and the front tibia muscle (see illustration above).
Enjoy experimenting!
- Petra -
Sources:Material Chiway Akademy (Hamid Montakab), Manual of Acupuncture (Deadman, Al-Khafaji), www.energetische-akupunktur.de (Dr. Karl Quint)
