The Du Mai (Governing Vessel)
What are the Eight Extraordinary Meridians?
“Qi” means “strange” or “unusual,” indicating something unique. The Eight Extraordinary Meridians differ from the twelve regular meridians; they are not directly associated with the organs and do not have a paired relationship, hence they are termed “extraordinary meridians.”
The Eight Extraordinary Meridians refer to the Du Mai (Governing Vessel), Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), Dai Mai (Belt Vessel), Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel), Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel), Yin Qiao Mai (Yin Heel Vessel), and Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel). They are called extraordinary because they function differently from the twelve meridians.
The Du Mai runs along the midline of the back, which is considered a Yang area, thus it has a commanding and regulating role over all Yang meridians, often referred to as the “governor of all Yang” and the “sea of Yang meridians.”
IANYU
E
The Du Mai extends from the lower abdomen and connects with the six fu organs, circulating throughout the body. If the Du Mai is obstructed, it can lead to a decline in the function of the six fu organs. The term “Du” implies supervision and regulation, indicating its role in governing Yang Qi. The Du Mai runs along the back and connects to the brain; if the Qi of the Du Mai is imbalanced, symptoms such as “stiffness in the spine when full, heaviness in the head when deficient” may occur, indicating obstruction in the Qi of the Du Mai, preventing the clear Yang Qi from ascending.
(Image source: Internet)Additionally, due to the collateral of the Du Mai ascending from the lower abdomen, if the Qi is imbalanced, it can lead to conditions such as Qi rushing upwards to the heart, urinary retention, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and female infertility.The Du Mai, one of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, governs all Yang meridians in the body. The six Yang meridians converge at the Dazhui (GV14) point, and the Du Mai regulates the Qi and blood of the Yang meridians, hence it is called the “sea of Yang meridians.” It is responsible for reproductive functions, particularly male reproductive health. The Du Mai originates in the lower abdomen, exits at the perineum, runs along the midline of the back, ascends the spine, passes through the nape to the Fengfu (GV16) point, enters the brain, and then ascends to the head, following the midline of the head, through the crown, forehead, nose, and reaches the frenulum of the upper lip.
The Du Mai is associated with the kidneys, supervising the generation and movement of Yang Qi in the body. It operates in the lower dantian, where it connects with the Ren and Chong meridians. In the automatic operation of Yin and Yang, it promotes the generation of Yang Qi, opening all Yang meridians behind the body. The meridians behind the body, centered around the Du Mai, open and close freely due to its regulation.
Moreover, it activates all the back shu points, allowing the body’s Qi to connect with the pure Yang Qi of the universe, fulfilling the body’s need for Yang Qi; it ensures that the operation of the body’s meridians aligns with the natural laws of celestial bodies, achieving a state of co-existence and shared fate with nature; under the supervision of natural laws, it facilitates the natural operation of human life.
All the back shu points of the human body receive and transport the pure Yang Qi of nature; once this pure Yang Qi enters the body, it exists in the form of Wei Qi (Defensive Qi), supplementing any deficiency in the body’s Wei Qi. Once the Wei Qi enters the body, it is managed by the Yang Wei Mai, influenced by the Yang Wei, and then distributed to the three Yang meridians; subsequently, it reaches the Yang organs and all blood vessels within the body, promoting metabolism, balancing sugar metabolism, water metabolism, and the endocrine system, thereby enhancing the body’s immunity.
Pathway Distribution
The Du Mai originates from within the lower abdomen, exits at the perineum, runs along the interior of the spine, ascends to the nape at Fengfu (GV16), enters the brain, ascends to the crown, descends along the forehead to the nose, and reaches the inner gums at the upper lip.
Unique Physiological Functions
1. Regulates the Qi and blood of the Yang meridians, serving as the “sea of Yang meridians”: The Du Mai runs along the back, which is Yang, indicating its commanding and regulating role over the Qi of all Yang meridians. Additionally, the six Yang meridians converge at the Dazhui (GV14) point, and the Du Mai has a regulatory effect on the Yang meridians, hence the saying “governing all Yang meridians.”
2. Reflects the functions of the brain, kidneys, and spinal cord: The Du Mai is associated with the brain and connects with the kidneys. The kidneys produce marrow, and the brain is considered the sea of marrow. The relationship between the Du Mai, brain, kidneys, and spinal cord is very close.
3. Governs reproductive functions: The Du Mai connects with the kidneys, which are responsible for reproduction, thus it is related to reproductive functions.
The Eight Extraordinary Meridians are our lifelines; as long as you massage the major points on these meridians daily, you will feel as if a stream of clear Yang Qi has entered your body.
▪ THE END ▪
Scientific Regulation, Pattern DifferentiationFocus on Nutrition, Only for Health For consultation and regulation, please add: heyangtangvv09
