Dizziness, headache, sore throat, fever, muscle pain, fatigue, bloating, and loss of appetite indicate that your body’s resistance is at its lowest point. In addition to medication, sufficient sleep, and a balanced diet, moxibustion can help improve immunity. Here is a recommended set of acupuncture points for your reference:
1. Zu San Li (Stomach 36)
Function:
First, it strengthens the body’s defenses and nourishes the source Qi;
Second, it promotes metabolism and strengthens the body;
Third, it enhances the function of the endocrine system and boosts immunity.
Stimulation of Zu San Li has preventive and therapeutic effects on diseases of the digestive system, nervous system, blood system, circulatory system, endocrine system, urinary system, and reproductive system, especially for digestive system diseases, where its efficacy is more pronounced.
Indications:
Gastritis, chronic gastritis, gastric ulcers, gastric ptosis, gastric spasms, indigestion, hepatitis; neurasthenia, epilepsy, insomnia, headache, anemia, hemiplegia, hypertension, hypotension, arteriosclerosis; coronary heart disease; diabetes, enuresis; impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, irregular menstruation, excessive menstruation; colds; knee arthritis, lower limb arthritis, and other diseases.
2. Guan Yuan (Conception Vessel 4)
Function:
First, it nourishes the root and stabilizes the source Qi.
Second, it tonifies the kidneys and strengthens Yang, regulates menstruation, clears heat, and promotes dampness. This point is effective for nourishing the kidneys, restoring Yang, and is essential for reproductive health and vital energy.
Third, it replenishes deficiency and stabilizes the foundation. This point can enhance reproductive system function, improve immunity, prevent aging, and treat various deficiencies.
Indications:
Impotence, premature ejaculation, nocturnal emissions, irregular menstruation, cervical erosion, uterine prolapse, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, enuresis, urinary retention, urinary incontinence, cystitis, nephritis, urethritis, genital eczema; dysentery, hernia, prolapse, hypertension, diabetes; forgetfulness, neurasthenia; collapse, physical weakness.
3. Zhong Wan (Conception Vessel 12)
Function:
First, it regulates the spleen and stomach;
Second, it descends rebellious Qi and resolves stagnation. This point is effective for harmonizing the stomach, replenishing deficiency, promoting digestion, and stopping vomiting.
Indications:
Gastric spasms, gastric ulcers, gastric ptosis, bloating, indigestion, vomiting, halitosis, enteritis, duodenal ulcers, dysentery, appendicitis, constipation, hepatitis, cholecystitis, jaundice, hypertension, angina, heat stroke, epilepsy, hysteria, neurasthenia, insomnia, cough, asthma, hematemesis, uterine prolapse, irregular menstruation. This point is particularly important for treating digestive system diseases and is one of the key points for various gastric disorders.
4. Nei Guan (Pericardium 6)
Function:
First, it regulates Qi and invigorates blood;
Second, it calms the mind and stabilizes the spirit.
Indications:
Angina, myocarditis, rheumatic heart disease, bradycardia, arrhythmia; shock, coma, syncope, motion sickness, insomnia, hysteria, epilepsy, mental illness; gastric diseases, gastric spasms, vomiting, hiccups; diaphragm spasms, pregnancy sickness, hypotension, and pulse-less conditions. It is particularly effective for various heart diseases and mental disorders.
5. He Gu (Large Intestine 4)
Function:
First, it clears heat and releases the exterior;
Second, it relaxes the muscles and dispels wind, promoting gastrointestinal function. Its primary function is to clear heat and relieve pain.
Indications:
Colds, cough, headache, trigeminal neuralgia, facial nerve paralysis, epilepsy, schizophrenia; enteritis, dysentery, hemorrhoids, pediatric prolapse, toothache, rhinitis, epistaxis; tonsillitis, conjunctivitis, deafness, acute shoulder rheumatism, finger spasms, difficult labor, measles, excessive sweating, aphasia, etc. It is especially effective for headaches caused by colds.
6. Yong Quan (Kidney 1)
Function:
First, it clears the mind and awakens the spirit;
Second, it calms the mind and stabilizes the spirit;
Third, it clears heat and disperses wind.
Regular cupping on this point can guide the kidney’s deficient fire and clear the turbid Qi from the upper burner, promoting liver function, improving vision, and calming the throat and mind. It can lower blood pressure and promote local blood circulation, helping to prevent age-related numbness and edema.
Indications:
Shock, coma, dizziness, heat stroke, forgetfulness, headache, trigeminal neuralgia; epilepsy, hysteria, mental illness, pediatric convulsions; cerebral hemorrhage, functional paralysis, functional aphasia, facial spasms, hypertension, angina, myocarditis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, cough, epistaxis, jaundice, stomach pain, edema, impotence, low back pain, knee pain, chest pain, vision loss, measles, hernia, etc.
7. Yang Ling Quan (Gallbladder 34)
Function:
First, it promotes circulation and relieves stiffness;
Second, it smooths the meridians and benefits the joints;
Third, it clears heat and benefits the gallbladder.
Indications:
Diseases of the lower limbs and lower back, such as knee arthritis, ankle arthritis, sciatica, peroneal nerve paralysis, vasculitis, rheumatoid arthritis, low back pain, etc. It is also a key point for treating liver and gallbladder diseases, with good effects on hepatitis, cholecystitis, and jaundice. Additionally, it has therapeutic effects on hypertension, epilepsy, enuresis, and athlete’s foot.
8. Feng Chi (Gallbladder 20)
Location:
Located at the back of the neck, below the occipital bone, in the depression between the two large tendons, level with the earlobe. (Alternatively, it can be found below the occipital bone, level with Feng Fu point, in the depression between the upper ends of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and trapezius muscle.)
Function:
First, it clears the heart and brightens the eyes;
Second, it clears heat and disperses wind;
Third, it opens the orifices and invigorates the channels.
Indications:
Cerebral thrombosis, concussion, meningitis, forgetfulness, epilepsy, mental illness, migraine, insomnia, dizziness, hyperthyroidism, stiff neck, glaucoma, night blindness, optic neuritis, retinitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, hypertension, tinnitus, malaria, deafness, etc.
9. Yin Men (Bladder 37)
Location:
On the back of the thigh, on the line connecting Cheng Fu (Bladder 36) and Wei Zhong (Bladder 40), 6 cun below Cheng Fu.
Function:
First, it promotes circulation and relieves stiffness;
Second, it smooths the meridians.
Indications:
Low back pain, sciatica, herniated disc, lower limb muscular rheumatism, paralysis.
10. Ming Men (Du 4)
Function:
First, it nourishes the kidneys and regulates menstruation;
Second, it regulates the intestines and stabilizes prolapse.
Indications:
Nocturnal emissions, impotence, irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, enuresis, low back pain, headache, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, constipation.
Illustration by Zhang Hongxia, Department of Preventive MedicineLayout by Li YuReviewed by Liu Xiaofei