典藏书目

[Discussion]: There are regular and extraordinary pulses. The twelve meridians belong to the regular pulses, while the Eight Extraordinary Vessels (Qi Jing Ba Mai) are not bound by regularity, hence they are called "Extraordinary Vessels." This refers to the fact that Qi and Blood in the human body usually circulate within the Twelve Meridians. When the Qi and Blood of these meridians become full and overflow, they flow into the Extraordinary Vessels. There are eight extraordinary vessels: the Du Meridian (Governing Vessel) governs the posterior aspect; the Ren Meridian (Conception Vessel) governs the anterior aspect; the Chong Meridian (Penetrating Vessel), located flanking the Ren Meridian, serves as the Sea of all Vessels; the Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel) links and maintains all Yang meridians; the Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel) links and maintains all Yin meridians. Yin and Yang mutually maintain each other, thus keeping the regular meridians harmonious. Besides the Wei Vessels, there is the Dai Mai (Girdle Vessel), which binds the body like a belt. As for the Qiao Vessels of the lower limbs, there are the Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel) and the Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel). The Yang Qiao Mai originates from the branch of the Taiyang Meridian, and the Yin Qiao Mai roots from the branch of the Shaoyin Meridian. This is akin to sages digging canals to store floodwaters, thereby preventing overflowing disasters; humans possessing Extraordinary Vessels operate in the same manner. Herein, the acupoints where the Qi of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels emerges are collected together to form this volume.

The Du Meridian (Governing Vessel) originates below the lower abdomen at the central bone. In women, it enters and connects to the end of the Ting Kong (urethral opening); its collateral network follows the external genitalia, converges at the Cuan Jian (perianal region), circles around the anus posteriorly, branches to circle the buttocks, reaches the Shaoyin Meridian, and merges with the middle collateral of the Taiyang Meridian. The Shaoyin Meridian ascends along the posterior medial border of the thigh, pierces the spine, and connects to the Kidney. The Taiyang Meridian starts at the inner canthus of the eye, ascends to the forehead, intersects at the vertex, enters deeply to connect to the brain, re-emerges, descends separately to the nape, follows the medial aspect of the shoulder blade, flanks the spine to reach the middle of the waist, enters internally to follow the deep muscles and connect to the Kidney. In men, the Du Meridian follows the penis down to the Cuan Jian, identical to women. Its straight ascending branch pierces the center of the umbilicus, ascends through the Heart, enters the throat, reaches the chin, circles the lips, and ascends to connect to the center of both eyes. Pathologies of this vessel manifest as Qi rushing from the lower abdomen up to the heart and chest causing pain, and inability to pass stool or urine, known as "Chong Hernia" (Chong Shan). In women, it manifests as infertility, strangury, hemorrhoids, urinary incontinence, and dryness of the throat. Treatment should focus on the Du Meridian.

The collateral branch of the Du Meridian is named Chang Qiang. It flanks the paraspinal muscles, ascends to the nape, scatters over the head, descends to the left and right of the shoulder blades, and runs separately to the Taiyang Meridian, entering to pierce the paraspinal muscles. Excess conditions present as spinal rigidity; deficiency conditions present as heavy head. Treatment involves selecting the point of this collateral branch. Thus, the *Nan Jing* states: The Du Meridian originates at the lower extreme, runs parallel within the spine, ascends to Feng Fu, enters and connects to the brain, reaches the vertex, follows the forehead to the nasal bridge, and is the "Sea of Yang Vessels." If diseased, it causes spinal rigidity and opisthotonos. The Du Meridian runs from the head along the spinal column into the sacrum, measuring four chi five cun in length, comprising twenty-seven acupoints.

Suliao (DU23): Located at the upper end of the nasal bridge.
Shuigou (DU26, also known as Renzhong): Located at the nasolabial groove, intersection of the Du Meridian and Hand-Yangming Meridian; take directly facing the lips.
Duanduan (DU27): Located at the upper end of the lip.
Yinjiao (DU28): Located in the gum line inside the upper lip, intersection of the Du and Ren Meridians.
Shenting (DU24): Directly above the nose, entering the hairline by five fen; intersection of the Du, Foot-Taiyang, and Foot-Yangming Meridians.
Shangxing (DU23): One cun behind Shenting, entering the hairline.
Xinhui (DU22): One cun behind Shangxing.
Qian Ding (DU21): One cun five fen behind Xinhui.
Baihui (DU20, also known as Sanyang Wuhui): One cun five fen behind Qian Ding, in the depression at the center of the vertex where hair whorls exist; space sufficient to hold a bean; intersection of the Du and Foot-Taiyang Meridians.
Hou Ding (DU19): One cun five fen behind Baihui (also known as Jiaochong).
Qiangjian (DU18): One cun five fen behind Hou Ding (also known as Dayu).
Naohu (DU17): Located on the occipital bone, one cun five fen behind Qiangjian (also known as Zafeng, Helu); intersection of the Du and Foot-Taiyang Meridians.
Fengfu (DU16): Also known as Sheben; one cun entering the hairline, behind Naohu, halfway between the large tendons of the neck.
Yamen (DU15): Five fen behind Fengfu, five cun entering the hairline, connecting to the root of the tongue; take with head raised.
Dazhui (DU14): In the depression above the first thoracic vertebra; intersection of the Hand and Foot Three-Yang Meridians and the Du Meridian.
Daodao (DU13): In the interspace below the Dazhui vertebra; intersection of the Du and Foot-Taiyang Meridians; take in prone position.
Shenzhu (DU12): In the interspace below the third thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Shendao (DU11): In the interspace below the fifth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Lingtai (DU10): In the interspace below the sixth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Zhiyang (DU9): In the interspace below the seventh thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Jinsuo (DU8): In the interspace below the ninth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Jizhong (DU7): In the interspace below the eleventh thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Moxibustion is contraindicated as it may cause kyphosis.
Xianshu (DU6): In the interspace below the thirteenth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Mingmen (DU4): In the interspace below the fourteenth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Yangguan (DU3): In the interspace below the sixteenth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position.
Yaoshu (DU2): In the interspace below the twenty-first thoracic vertebra.
Changqiang (DU1): At the tip of the coccyx.

From Suliao to Yinjiao, there are four points located below the nasal bridge. From Shenting to Baihui, there are five points located on the forehead. From Hou Ding to Yamen, there are five points belonging to the back of the head and nape. Below Dazhui, there are twelve points belonging to the back and spine. In total, these are the twenty-seven acupoints emitted by the Du Meridian. (According to the *Nei Jing*, there are twenty-eight points emitted by the Du Meridian. According to this method, there is one point named Zhongshu below the tenth vertebra, and two points named Huiyang on both sides of the sacrococcygeal bone, totaling twenty-nine points. Currently, Yinjiao is included, but Zhongshu and the two Huiyang points are omitted because Huiyang belongs to the collateral branches of the Du Meridian intersecting with the Shaoyin Meridian; thus, only twenty-seven points are recorded.)

Suliao (DU23), also known as Mianwang, is located at the tip of the nasal bridge, emitted by the Du Meridian. It treats nasal congestion, persistent polyps, excessive discharge, and sores. Needle insertion depth is one fen; moxibustion is contraindicated.

Shuigou (DU26), also known as Renzhong, is located below the nasal bridge, intersection of the Du, Hand-Yangming, and Foot-Yangming Meridians. It treats polydipsia due to Xiao Ke (wasting-thirst), generalized edema due to Water Qi, spontaneous laughter without cause, epilepsy with inappropriate speech and loss of social hierarchy awareness, alternating joy and crying, trismus, facial swelling with labial twitching, sensation of insects crawling, sudden stroke from evil qi. Needle insertion depth is four cun; retain for five breaths; drain upon obtaining Deqi. Moxibustion is permissible but less effective than needling. If moxibustion is used, the cone should be the size of a sparrow's droppings; three or seven moxa cones per day are sufficient. For wind-water facial edema, needling this point until fluid drains results in immediate cure.

Duanduan (DU27) is located at the upper end of the lip. It treats epilepsy with foaming, yellow urine, dry tongue with wasting-thirst, persistent epistaxis, rigid lips, and gingival pain. Needle insertion depth is two fen; three moxa cones (size of a barley grain) may be applied.

Yinjiao (DU28) is located in the tendon within the gum line inside the upper lip. It treats red face, vexation, pain, stiff neck unable to look back, pediatric facial acne persisting long-term (cauterization is also effective), nasal obstruction, tearing and purulent discharge, internal nasal redness, itching, pain, white membrane opacity, nasal polyps, and erosive sores. Needle insertion depth is three fen; three moxa cones may be applied.

Shenting (DU24) is located five fen entering the hairline directly above the nose, intersection of the Du, Foot-Taiyang, and Foot-Yangming Meridians. It treats epilepsy, wind-phlegm epilepsy, upward staring with inability to recognize people, headache-dizziness due to Wind, persistent clear nasal discharge, tearing, palpitations and insomnia. Apply thirty-seven moxa cones, up to forty-nine cones. Qibo stated: When treating Wind disorders, do not apply excessive moxibustion, as Wind nature is light and excessive heat damages Zheng Qi. Thirty-seven cones are appropriate. Needling is strictly contraindicated as it may induce mania.

Shangxing (DU23) is located one cun entering the hairline directly above the nose in the depression, emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats headache-dizziness, facial puffiness, nasal obstruction with loss of smell and taste, dizziness, phlegm-malaria with chills and fever, absence of pathological sweating, ocular pain preventing distant vision. Puncture with a fine three-edged needle to vent excess Yang Heat and prevent it from rushing to the head and eyes. Seven moxa cones may be applied; avoid excessive moxibustion. Frequent moxibustion draws Qi upward, clouding vision.

Xinhui (DU22) is located one cun behind Shangxing in the depression, space sufficient to hold a bean, emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats dizziness, facial swelling, nasal obstruction with loss of smell, fright-epilepsy with upward staring and inability to recognize people. Apply fourteen to forty-nine moxa cones. Initially painless, becomes painful as disease recedes; stop moxibustion when painful. For nasal obstruction, symptoms subside by the fourth day and resolve completely by the seventh day. Needle insertion depth is two fen; retain for three breaths; drain upon obtaining Deqi. For headache-dizziness with dandruff and hypersomnia, needling is highly effective. After needling, mix fine salt with sesame oil and rub the scalp roots to permanently eliminate headache-dizziness. Children under eight years old must not be needled, as the fontanelle is not closed, and puncture may lead to premature death.

Qian Ding (DU21) is located one cun five fen behind Xinhui in the bony depression, emitted by the Du Meridian. It treats headache-dizziness, red swollen face, pediatric fright-epilepsy and wind-epilepsy with convulsions occurring at any time, excessive clear nasal discharge, and swollen painful neck. Needle insertion depth is one fen; apply three to forty-nine moxa cones.

Baihui (DU20), also known as Sanyang Wuhui, is located one cun five fen behind Qian Ding in the depression at the center of the vertex hair whorl, space sufficient to hold a bean. The Du Meridian intersects with the Foot-Taiyang Meridian at the vertex. It treats pediatric rectal prolapse unresponsive to treatment, wind-epilepsy and stroke with opisthotonos, excessive crying, incoherent speech, convulsions occurring at any time with foaming, vexation, palpitations, and amnesia, malaria with tinnitus and deafness, nasal obstruction with loss of smell. Needle insertion depth is two fen; drain upon recovery. Apply seven to forty-nine moxa cones. In the Tang Dynasty, Qin Minghe treated headache by pricking until slight bleeding occurred, resulting in immediate relief. Moxibustion on the head and neck should not exceed forty-nine cones, as the skin is thin.

Hou Ding (DU19), also known as Jiaochong, is located one cun five fen behind Baihui on the occipital bone, emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats blurred vision, aversion to wind and cold in the neck, dizziness, and lateral headache. Apply five moxa cones; needle insertion depth is two fen.

Qiangjian (DU18), also known as Dayu, is located one cun five fen behind Hou Ding, emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats vertigo, unbearable headache, vexation, vomiting of saliva, convulsions occurring at any time, stiff neck unable to look left or right. Apply seven moxa cones; needle insertion depth is two fen.

Naohu (DU17), also known as Helu, is located on the occipital bone, one cun five fen behind Qiangjian, intersection of the Du and Foot-Taiyang Meridians. Needling is strictly contraindicated as it causes aphonia. It treats dim vision and pain, inability to see far, red face, yellow eyes, and head swelling. Apply seven moxa cones; do not apply indiscriminately to avoid aphonia.

Fengfu (DU16), also known as Sheben, is located one cun above the nape hairline, in the depression within the large tendons. Muscle rises rapidly upon speaking and subsides when silent. Intersection of the Du and Yang Wei Mai. Moxibustion is strictly contraindicated as it may cause aphonia. It treats headache, stiff neck unable to look back, dizziness, epistaxis, sore throat, manic running, and visual hallucinations. Needle insertion depth is three cun.

Yamen (DU15), also written as Yinmen, also known as Sheheng or Sheyan, is located centrally at the nape, five fen entering the hairline in the depression. Intersection of the Du and Yang Wei Mai. Connects to the root of the tongue; take with head raised. Moxibustion is strictly contraindicated as it causes aphonia. It treats stiff neck, flaccid tongue unable to speak, excess Yang Heat, persistent epistaxis, headache with wind and absence of sweating, wind-cold-spasm, spinal rigidity with opisthotonos, convulsions, heavy head due to epilepsy. Needle insertion depth is two fen.

Dazhui (DU14) is located in the depression above the first thoracic vertebra, intersection of the Hand and Foot Three-Yang Meridians and the Du Meridian. It treats five exhaustions and seven injuries, warm malaria, dan-malaria, Qi-zhu with back stiffness and tension, stiff neck unable to look back, wind-lao and food-Qi. Needle insertion depth is five fen; retain for three breaths; drain during five exhalations. If moxibustion is used, count by years (referring to high number of cones). From Dazhui to the sacrococcygeal bone, there are twenty-one vertebrae, measuring three chi. To locate points, measure using the "Same Body Cun" method described in the *Su Wen*: use the middle finger's interphalangeal crease as one cun. Using rope is inaccurate due to stretching or shrinking; thin bamboo strips are recommended for accurate measurement.

Daodao (DU13) is located in the interspace below Dazhui; take in prone position. Intersection of the Du and Foot-Taiyang Meridians. It treats heavy head, drowsy eyes, aversion to cold and fever, spinal rigidity with absence of sweating. Apply five moxa cones; needle insertion depth is five fen.

Shenzhu (DU12) is located in the interspace below the third thoracic vertebra, emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats epilepsy with convulsions, rage wanting to kill, fever, manic running, delirium seeing ghosts. Needle insertion depth is five fen; apply forty-nine moxa cones.

Lingtai (DU10) is located in the interspace below the sixth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian.

Zhiyang (DU9) is located in the interspace below the seventh thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats chills and fever, limb weakness, calf soreness, heavy painful limbs, shortness of breath and difficulty speaking. Apply three moxa cones; needle insertion depth is five fen.

Jinsuo (DU8) is located in the interspace below the ninth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats fright-epilepsy, manic running, epilepsy, stiff and tense spine, eyes rolling upward. Apply three moxa cones; needle insertion depth is five fen.

Jizhong (DU7) is located in the interspace below the eleventh thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats wind-epilepsy and demonic influences, warm diseases with accumulation and diarrhea. Moxibustion is contraindicated as it causes lumbar and dorsal kyphosis. Needle insertion depth is five fen; drain upon obtaining Deqi.

Xianshu (DU6) is located in the interspace below the thirteenth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats moving accumulation of Qi, undigested food and diarrhea, stiff spine unable to bend or extend, abdominal stagnation. Needle insertion depth is three fen; apply three moxa cones.

Mingmen (DU4), also known as Shulei, is located in the interspace below the fourteenth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats unbearable headache, fever like fire, absence of sweating, convulsions with internal urgency, pulling pain between waist and abdomen. Needle insertion depth is five fen; apply three moxa cones.

Yangguan (DU3) is located in the interspace below the sixteenth thoracic vertebra; take in prone position. Needle insertion depth is five fen; apply three moxa cones.

Yaoshu (DU2), also known as Beijie, Yaozhu, or Yaohu, is located in the depression in the interspace below the twenty-first thoracic vertebra. Position: arch back, stretch body, cross hands to support forehead, relax limbs. Emitted by the Qi of the Du Meridian. It treats lumbosacral pain, stiff spine unable to turn, warm malaria, dan-malaria. Needle insertion depth is eight fen; retain for three breaths; drain during five exhalations. Apply seven to forty-nine moxa cones. The *Jia Yi Jing* states: needle insertion depth is two cun; retain for seven breaths; apply forty-nine moxa cones.

Changqiang (DU1), also known as Qi Zhi Yinxi, is the collateral branch of the Du Meridian, located at the tip of the coccyx, intersection of the Foot-Shaoyin and Foot-Shaoyang Meridians. It treats intestinal wind with bloody stool, five types of hemorrhoids, and gan-erosion of the lower orifices. Needle insertion depth is three fen; withdraw needle when severe pain is felt. Take point in prone position. Moxibustion is permissible but less effective than needling. Apply thirty moxa cones daily, up to two hundred cones. The root of these hemorrhoids is Cold; avoid cold foods and sexual activity. The *Jia Yi Jing* states: needle insertion depth is two cun; retain for seven breaths.