There are many acupuncture points in the human body, among which 9 are the most commonly used in health preservation and disease treatment. These points are frequently recommended for moxibustion, as they can regulate the spleen and stomach, support the vital energy, and strengthen the foundation, applicable to 90% of diseases.
1. Dazhui (Governing Vessel 14): The “Sun” of the human body that dispels cold and tonifies Yang.
Our body has an acupuncture point that nurtures Yang Qi—Dazhui. By using moxibustion on this point, one can illuminate their internal “little sun,” generating continuous energy, which can invigorate the Yang Qi throughout the body and enhance immunity!
Dazhui is traditionally known in TCM as the “Meeting of All Yangs,” representing the “Yang among Yangs” in the body, and it is strategically located, playing a crucial role in connecting the upper and lower parts of the body. If Dazhui is blocked, it can obstruct 7 meridians: the Governing Vessel, Bladder Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian, Small Intestine Meridian, Sanjiao Meridian, Gallbladder Meridian, and Stomach Meridian, highlighting its importance for health.
Diseases treated include: 1. Wind-cold common cold, runny nose, cough. 2. Wind-damp fatigue, postpartum conditions. 3. Allergic eczema, rhinitis, asthma. Additionally, Dazhui has a significant antipyretic effect; moxibustion on Dazhui can prevent and treat colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other upper respiratory infections, and it can also be used for the prevention and treatment of emphysema.
2. Mingmen (Governing Vessel 4): The repository of the fire of life, replenishing the innate foundation!
Mingmen contains the life fire, which is the root of Yang Qi in the body, the source of vitality, and plays a warming and promoting role in the physiological activities of all organs. Thus, it is said that “the Yang Qi of the five organs cannot be generated without it,” promoting the functions of the internal organs and facilitating the metabolism of fluids, governing the opening and closing of the kidneys.The fire of Mingmen is the root of Yang Qi in the body, the source of functional activity for the five organs and six bowels. Prolonged illness harming the kidneys, aging, or excessive sexual activity can lead to kidney Yang deficiency, resulting in diminished Mingmen fire. Clinical manifestations of diminished Mingmen fire include symptoms of kidney Yang deficiency, such as fatigue, pale or dark complexion, aversion to cold, male impotence with clear and sparse semen, and female infertility due to cold in the uterus.
3. Zhongwan (Ren 12): Treats all diseases of the spleen and stomach.
Zhongwan is located in the middle of the stomach, occupying the main part of the stomach, thus it is the most effective point for treating spleen and stomach diseases. It naturally becomes a commonly used point for spleen and stomach issues. Stimulating Zhongwan enhances gastric motility, resulting in the opening of the pylorus and slight elevation of the lower stomach margin. It can also improve the body’s immune capacity, enhancing the phagocytic activity of macrophages.
Zhongwan is the mu point of the stomach meridian and a meeting point of the eight hui points, connecting the hand Taiyang, Shaoyang, foot Yangming, and Ren meridians. Diseases treated include: digestive system disorders such as bloating, diarrhea, abdominal pain, borborygmus, acid reflux, vomiting, constipation, jaundice, and it is also effective for general stomach issues, loss of appetite, dizziness, tinnitus, acne, fatigue, and neurasthenia.
4. Tianshu (Stomach 25): The janitor of the intestines.
Tianshu is the mu point of the large intestine, where the Yangming meridian Qi originates, primarily regulating the intestines, relieving Qi stagnation, and aiding digestion. Numerous experiments and clinical validations have shown that acupuncture or moxibustion on Tianshu significantly improves intestinal function and alleviates various symptoms caused by intestinal dysfunction.
In addition to moxibustion, massage is also an excellent method to stimulate Tianshu. Massage method: Place both palms flat on the abdomen, with the middle fingers aligned with the navel, applying slight pressure and moving in a clockwise direction until a warm sensation is felt in the abdomen. Regular massage can promote intestinal peristalsis, enhance gastric motility, and regulate constipation, treat bloating, borborygmus, dysmenorrhea, and nephritis.
5. Shenque (Ren 8): A perfect acupuncture point.
Shenque is a perfect acupuncture point that can aid in weight loss and beauty while harmonizing various diseases!Moxibustion on Shenque has the effects of tonifying the spleen and kidneys, benefiting vital energy, and anti-aging, as well as activating cells, moisturizing the skin, and tightening the skin. Because it enhances the body’s ability to resist diseases, it can also be used to strengthen the body for those who are weak and sickly, and rejuvenate the elderly.Shenque has weight loss effects; moxibustion can accelerate metabolism and promote fat elimination. Similarly, if there is edema and difficulty urinating, moxibustion can also be applied.
When addressing women’s issues, we often include Shenque, as women tend to have a cold constitution, with excess cold energy that descends, leading to many women experiencing cold in the uterus and cold hands and feet. Moxibustion on Shenque can warm and tonify the lower body, dispelling cold energy. Shenque is located on the Ren meridian, the sea of Yin meridians, representing the Yang within Yin, corresponding to the body’s Wei Qi and Ying blood.Since ancient times, people have practiced warming the navel and moxibustion on the navel to dispel cold and harmonize the Ying and Wei, achieving remarkable effects.
6. Qihai (Ren 6): One point warms the whole body.
There is a saying, “Qihai warms the whole body,” which vividly illustrates the function of Qihai. Located between the two kidneys, Qihai connects with the source of Yuan Qi, being the foundation of true Yang and the source of life energy. Qihai is where the innate Yuan Qi converges, serving as the source of life energy, with the function of nourishing Yuan Qi and restoring Yang. Anyone with insufficient Yuan Qi can improve their condition by stimulating this point. Stimulating this point can invigorate the metabolism of Qi and blood in the organs and meridians, ensuring continuous circulation and sustaining life. Ancient texts describe Qihai as the “sea of male vitality,” indicating it is the source of energy. Therefore, when “Qihai” is abundant, all diseases can be treated, and one can maintain strength.
7. Zusanli (Stomach 36): Harmonizes the spleen and stomach, replenishing the postnatal foundation.
Zusanli is one of the most prominent acupuncture points in the human body, known by both experts and novice moxibustion enthusiasts. Located four fingerbreadths below the knee, it has the functions of regulating the spleen and stomach, tonifying Qi, dispelling wind and dampness, and supporting the righteous Qi while expelling pathogens. It is also used for conditions such as cold in the uterus, chronic gynecological inflammation, and poor follicle development.
Most moxibustion treatments for women’s diseases require moxibustion on Zusanli.Due to women’s physiological characteristics, they often experience Qi and blood deficiency, which is the root cause of many gynecological diseases. Moxibustion on Zusanli can harmonize the spleen and stomach, enhancing the “transportation and transformation ability” of the spleen and stomach, improving women’s Qi and blood deficiency, thus addressing gynecological diseases from the source.
8. Sanyinjiao (Spleen 6): The anti-aging point for women.
For women, Sanyinjiao is especially important, often referred to as the “anti-aging point.” It is a “miracle drug” for gynecological diseases, sometimes called “female Zusanli.” Regular moxibustion or massage of this point can help women maintain youth, delay aging, and postpone menopause. Sanyinjiao is the intersection of the spleen, liver, and kidney meridians, regulating menstruation and improving skin condition. Since the spleen generates Qi and blood, governs blood, the liver stores blood, and the kidneys produce Qi and blood, as long as women have sufficient Qi and blood, issues like irregular menstruation will disappear. In fact, issues like spots, acne, and wrinkles on women’s faces are often related to menstrual irregularities.
9. The first choice for kidney tonification: Taixi (Kidney 3):
Taixi is located in the depression behind the inner ankle. It is a place of abundant and precious Yuan Qi in the body, referred to by ancient physicians as “one of the nine points to restore Yang.”
Taixi is the source point of the kidney meridian, where the original Qi of the kidney meridian passes through and resides. The kidneys store essence and differentiate Yin and Yang, so whether it is kidney essence deficiency or insufficient kidney Yin and Yang, Taixi can nourish them.
Diseases treated include: kidney Yin deficiency, Yin deficiency leading to excess fire causing sore throat, oral ulcers, tinnitus, deafness, insomnia, forgetfulness, or kidney Yang deficiency leading to cold limbs, lower limb edema, etc. Moxibustion on Taixi can prevent and treat these conditions.
These 9 acupuncture points can address 90% of diseases.Both men and women can benefit from moxibustion, as it can comprehensively enhance physical quality, addressing the root causes.
Moxibustion duration: 15-20 minutes for each point on the limbs, 30-50 minutes for each point on the waist and abdomen. You can purchase multiple moxibustion boxes to perform moxibustion simultaneously; if you cannot complete it in one session, you can divide it over two days. The order of moxibustion is back, abdomen, and legs, from top to bottom and left to right. You can perform moxibustion daily for several days, as it is generally recommended to rest for 1-2 days each week.
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