素髎 : Suliao : White Crevice

Location Guides:

Location:

On the midline at the tip of the nose.

Needling:

Perpendicular insertion 0.2 - 0.3 cun, or transverse insertion directed superiorly 0.5 - 1 cun, or prick to bleed.

Warnings:

According to several classical texts this point is contraindicated to moxibustion.

Classical Needling:

"It is needled to a depth of three fen" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).

TCM Actions:

Benefits the nose
Reducing alcohol intoxication by increasing alcohol volume in expired air

TCM Indications:

• Copious nasal discharge, rhinitis, inability to distinguish the fragrant from the foul, nasal obstruction, nasal sores, nosebleed, drinker's nose, nasal polyps, dyspnoea, hypotension.

Neuroanatomy:

Superficial Innervation: Ophthalamic branch of trigeminal nerve (CN V1)

Dermatome Segment: CN V1 ophthalamic branch of trigeminal

Martial Applications & Effects of Injury:

See Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com for explanation of effects.

Major Combinations:

• Wind epilepsy:
    Suliao Du-25 with Shenting Du-24 and Yongqian Kid-1
    (Yang Jizhou, 杨继洲, 1601: Zhen Jiu Da Cheng, 針灸大成, Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion).

Notes:

Modern research has shown that this point reduced alcohol intoxication by increasing the amount of alcohol present in expired air (Deadman et al, 2001).

Avicenna describes venesection at this point in his treatise On Venesection:

"There is also the vein in the nose tip, the nasal branch of the anterior facial vein. Its venesected spot is usually where it branches into two upon pushing on it. Its venesection is useful in cases of freckles, unhealthy facial colour, haemorrhoids, nose boils and itchy nose. However, its venesection produces permanent redness fo the face that looks similar to favus (a honeycomb pattern), which spreads over the face; therefore its harmful effect outweighs its benefit." (Aspects of Treatment According to General Diseases, 21st section in Abu-Asab, Amri & Micozzi, 2013, Avicenna's Medicine).

Medieval phlebotomy point (John de Foxton, 1408: Liber Cosmographiae, maa.cam.ac.uk; Hans von Gersdorff, 1517: Feldtbüch der Wundartzney, www.nlm.nih.gov)

Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point Nasa Agra and associate it with the doshas: Prana Vayu, Vyana Vayu, Apana Vayu and Avalambaka Kapha.

They give the following functions:
- Benefits the nose and lungs
- Restores consciousness in case fo fainting
- Regulates prana and apana vayu

Two other points are located either side in the groove of the nostrils calles Nasa Pata, associated with Prana Vayu and Apana Vayu.

Their functions are:
- Benefits the nose
- Enhances functional capacity of the lungs
- Stimulates ovaries, benefits artava dhatu

They locate another point, Nasa Madhya midway between Yintang and Du-25 which they associate with Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha.

They functions of Nasa Madhya are given as:
- Benefits nose
- Relieves congestion
- Calms the mind

In Tibetan medicine:
Venesection point, called Sna Rtsa (Nose Vein) measured by finding the vena angularis at the top of the nose. Its is indicated for:

- Nasal blockage
- Sinusitis
- Dry and burning face
- Nasal mucous

(Chenagtsang & Nguyen, 2017, Sowa Rigpa Points; AMNH, 2009, Body & Spirit: Tibetan Medical Paintings).

Reference Notes:

Basic information on location, needle depth, TCM actions, indications and combinations is taken from Deadman et al (2001): A Manual of Acupuncture with additional anatomical information researched by reference to Gray's Anatomy (38th Ed., 1995) unless otherwise referenced. Images were found on acupunctureschoolonline.com and can be traced back to Claudia Focks (2008) Atlas of Acupuncture originally. I cannot claim any credit or rights over them. Other sources should be quoted in the text.

For some of the more unusual terms I have created a glossary here