 |
He-Sea and Water point
Mother point of the Liver channel
Binding point of the foot Jueyin Sinews
Just superior to the medial end of the popliteal crease, in the depressino anterior to the tendons of m. semitendinosus and m. semimembranosus, about 1 cun anterior to Yingu Kid-10.
Perpendicular or slightly posterior insertion 1 - 1.5 cun. Needle with a pillow underneath to semi-flex the knee.
"The Jueyin usually has much Blood and little Qi" (Su Wen 素問 ch. 24) implying this channel should normally be bled.
"The foot Jueyin is to be pierced 1 fen deep and remain inserted for two exhalations" (Ling Shu 靈樞 ch. 12).
"It is needled to a depth of six fen, (the needle) is retained for a duration of ten exhalations, and it is moxaed with three cones" (Huangfu Mi 皇甫謐, 3rd Century, Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing 針灸甲乙經).
Clears Damp-heat from the Lower Jiao
Benefits the genitals
Invigorates the Blood and benefits the uterus
Nourishes Blood and Yin
Shared with Xiaxi GB-43. Balanced by ䷤ (Laogong Pc-8 or Zhigou SJ-6).
Hexagram attributions are my own with an explanation given in the glossary.
Superficial Innervation: Medial femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh (L2 - L4)
Dermatome Segment: L3
Common target with the sword for disabling the opponent by severing hamstring tendons of the tendons of semitendinosus and semimembranosus. Was also commonly used as a punishment or means to disable a captive.
Listed in the Wu Bei Zhi 武備志 (Treatise on Armament Technology) by Mao Yuanyi 茅元儀 (1621), Article 21: Delayed Death Touches with Twelve-Hour (Shichen 時辰) Diagrams. This point along with Qinglengyuan SJ-11, Huiyin Ren-1 and Xinhui Du-22 are associated with Mao 卯 Rabbit (5-7 am) and if struck during this time is said to cause death within 1 day from trauma to the anastomotica magna of the femoral artery (McCarthy, 2016, Bubishi: The Classic Manual of Combat).
Striking this point causes immediate Heat to accumulate with nausea and stagnation of Qi in the Liver channel (Montaigue, Dim Mak Locations, Taijiworld.com).
One of the main distal points for nourishing Liver blood and yin.
In five element acupuncture this point is reinforced to tonify Liver deficiencies.
Ling Shu Ch. 22, On Mania and Madness, recommends removing blood from the moving vessels to the left and right of this point if an abundance is felt in the early stages of a madness before any of the specific patterns mentioned in the chapter have developed.
Ling Shu Ch. 24, On Counterflow Diseases, advises using this point for discharge of blood (Unschuld, 2016) or bloody stool (Wu & Wu, 2010).
Ling Shu Ch. 44, On the Qi Moving in Accordance with the Norms, indicates that the He-Sea points should be pierced in autumn or when the disease is a result of immoderate diet. The seasonal aspect should not be interpreted literally as it describes the flavours as "controlled by autumn", probably referring to the mouth, nose and throat where the metal channels run. It also describes the morning, afternoon, evening and night cycle of the day to be like the four seasons of the year with evening corresponding to autumn. Perhaps the most likely interpretation is during middle age, the autumn period of life, when the effects immoderate diet are likely to start to show.
This point is indicated for issues relating to the Third Level of Manifestation of the Soul, or the Manipura chakra, manifesting in difficulties switching the mind off, becoming unconscious and sleeping. The problem is that the Lung qi is unable to descend into the formless darkness of the Kidneys or the Kidneys are unable to hold it here.
The specific purpose of this point is to prevent the Kidneys giving Jing to the Liver (Water point), arousing the Blood and causing dream states. The others in the set are Shuaigu GB-8, Daling Pc-7 and Shanzhong Ren-17.
In pre-Ming times Jimai Liv-12 was used until points around the genitals became taboo (Yuen, 2005, 3 Spirits & 7 Souls).
All the points in this set have an association with Jueyin with a focus on the Pericardium and therefore the descent of Fire.
In Sufism this level would relate to the Valley of Knowledge described by Attar in the Conference of the Birds as:
"No one can find a fixed road in this place
Because there are many roads and different destinations;
And since many paths the wanderer sees
Each rise as his wisdom guides or foresees;
Each person marches till he attain his own perfection
Yet moods dictate friendship and one's action ..."
Here there are many paths all leading to knowledge of the Divine, which comes from the Heart and its willingness to sink into formlessness, rather than intellectual knowledge of worldly forms, which are revealed to be utterly useless.
The cathartic release of emotion through the Liver is explained as follows:
- Bleed Ligou Liv-5 to clear Cold in the Liver that gives rise to an inability to act.
- Tonify Ququan Liv-8 (Mother of Liver), Zhangmen Liv-13 and Qimen Liv-14 to help the patient cope with the release.
- Disperse Guangming GB-37 to help illuminate one's path in life. When we let go of our emotional fixations we can have a clear vision of the world. (Chin, 2003, The Luo Vessels).
Lad and Durve (2008) in Marma Points of Ayurveda call this point medial Charana and associate it with the doshas: Apana Vayu, Vyana Vayu and Shleshaka Kapha.
They give the following functions:
- Promotes circulation in lower extremities
- Acts locally to relieve knee pain
- Supports the kidneys, bladder and adrenals
A lateral Charana is located at Yanglingquan GB-34.
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
Steve Woodley Acupuncture & Traditional Medicine
90 Deane Croft Road,
Eascote, Pinner, Greater London. HA5 1SP
Tel/WhatsApp: +44 (0) 7946 174 829
Email: steve@steve-woodley.co.uk
