Understanding the Meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding the Meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The meridians are a collective term for the jingmai (经脉) and luomai (络脉). They serve as pathways for the circulation of qi (气) and blood (血) in the human body, connecting the organs (脏腑) and facilitating communication between the internal and external environments, as well as traversing vertically and horizontally throughout the body. The functions … Read more

Understanding the Differences Between Meridians and Collaterals

Understanding the Differences Between Meridians and Collaterals

Jingluo (Meridians and Collaterals) refers to the collective term for jingmai (meridians) and luomai (collaterals), where jingmai serves as the main trunk and luomai as the branches. This is a unique theory in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot) states: “The twelve jingmai are internally connected to the five organs and externally … Read more

Sublingual Collaterals in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Sublingual Collaterals in Traditional Chinese Medicine

▲Click the blue “Nan Ke Yi Meng” above to followDaily progress in TCM brings joyLingxi Note:In TCM tongue diagnosis, the observation of the sublingual collaterals (their thickness, length, color, arrangement, distortion, nodules, etc.) reflects the state of Qi and blood in the body (normal, deficiency, blood stasis).In TCM, examining the tongue and pulse is essential; … Read more

Observations on the Sublingual Vessels in Tongue Diagnosis

Observations on the Sublingual Vessels in Tongue Diagnosis

In normal individuals, there are two longitudinal vessels located on either side of the frenulum under the tongue, known as the sublingual vessels (shé xià luò mài). The mucous membrane under the tongue forms a prominent fold that connects to the floor of the mouth, called the frenulum (shé xì dài). On either side of … Read more

Understanding the Differences Between Jingmai (Meridians) and Luomai (Collateral Vessels)

Understanding the Differences Between Jingmai (Meridians) and Luomai (Collateral Vessels)

Jingmai (经脉) are generally not easily visible; their changes in fullness and emptiness can be diagnosed from the cun kou (寸口) pulse position. The visible pulses are all luomai (络脉). All luomai do not pass through large joints but connect in the spaces where jingmai cannot reach, and when combined with the floating luomai of … Read more

The Fifteen Collaterals (7) – The Foot Taiyang Collateral

The Fifteen Collaterals (7) - The Foot Taiyang Collateral

Foot Taiyang Collateral, one of the fifteen collaterals, is a branch of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian. The acupuncture point is Gong Sun (公孙), located 1 cun posterior to the base of the big toe, branching into the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian. Its branch enters the abdomen and connects with the intestines and stomach; if … Read more

The Concept and Clinical Significance of Sublingual Collaterals

The Concept and Clinical Significance of Sublingual Collaterals

The Concept of Sublingual Collaterals In a normal person, there are two longitudinal collaterals located on each side of the lingual frenulum under the tongue, known as the sublingual collaterals (舌下络脉, jié xià luò mài). The mucosal midline under the tongue forms a prominent fold connecting to the floor of the mouth, called the lingual … Read more

The Hand Taiyin Luo Vessel: An Overview

The Hand Taiyin Luo Vessel: An Overview

Hand Taiyin Luo Vessel is one of the fifteen luo vessels. In the Ling Shu: Jing Mai, it states: “The branch of the Hand Taiyin is called Lieque, originating from the wrist at the point of Lieque, connecting with the Hand Taiyin channel, directly entering the palm, and dispersing into the thenar region.” This means … Read more

What Happens When the Collaterals are Vacuous and Affected by Wind? A TCM Perspective on Wind-Dispelling and Collateral Unblocking

What Happens When the Collaterals are Vacuous and Affected by Wind? A TCM Perspective on Wind-Dispelling and Collateral Unblocking

As spring approaches, the climatic characteristic is dominated by wind (feng). The Huangdi Neijing states: “Wind is the beginning of all diseases.” “Especially during the spring season, the wind pathogen can invade the body through the skin, opening the pores, and particularly attacks the areas where yang qi gathers in the body, such as the … Read more

Learning Acupuncture Points with Caiyun: 15 Luo Points

Learning Acupuncture Points with Caiyun: 15 Luo Points

The main function of the luo mai (络脉) is to strengthen the connection between the interior and exterior of the twelve primary meridians. Although the luo mai also connects to the internal organs within the chest and abdomen, it does not have fixed connections; it emphasizes communication between the superficial and deep meridians distributed in … Read more