Luo Vessels (1) Meaning of Luo Vessels The luo vessels are branches that diverge from the main meridians, also known as “bie luo”. There are primarily fifteen luo vessels. These fifteen luo vessels consist of the branches from the twelve main meridians, as well as the branches from the Ren (Conception) and Du (Governing) meridians, … Read more
Introduction The clinical application of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in TCM diagnosis is a challenging area. Nowadays, it is rare for practitioners to proficiently use the twelve regular meridians for diagnosis, and even fewer are well-versed in the diagnosis of the extraordinary meridians. However, many complex and difficult conditions in clinical practice require the application … Read more
The Yuan Dynasty scholar Dou Hanqing summarized the effects of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians in his work “Biao You Fu”: “The Yang Qiao (Yang Heel) and Yang Wei (Yang Linking) govern the symptoms on the surface related to the shoulders, back, waist, and legs; the Yin Qiao (Yin Heel), Yin Wei (Yin Linking), and Chong … Read more
The concept of the Extraordinary Meridians (qijing bamai) was first introduced in the Nanjing and includes eight meridians: Du Mai (Governing Vessel), Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Chong Mai (Penetrating Vessel), Da Mai (Belt Vessel), Yang Wei Mai (Yang Linking Vessel), Yin Wei Mai (Yin Linking Vessel), Yang Qiao Mai (Yang Heel Vessel), and Yin Qiao … Read more
1 Following the proper rules of seated meditation, if the qi (气) flows through the “Ren” (任) and “Du” (督) meridians, various phenomena akin to the Daoist concepts of “Great Circulation” (大周天) and “Small Circulation” (小周天) will occur, all with regular and accurate responses. Just as in Esoteric Buddhism, when the three meridians and four … Read more
The relationship between Taoism and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is very close, and the influence of Taoist internal alchemy on the study of pulse diagnosis in TCM is particularly worthy of research. Internal alchemy practices use the human body as a furnace, and the meridian system within the body is the pathway for the circulation … Read more
II. Ren Meridian 【Pathway】 (Su Wen · Gu Kong Lun): The Ren Meridian originates below the Zhongji (Middle Pole), ascends through the pubic hair region, enters the abdomen, ascends to the Guanyuan (Gate of Origin), and reaches the throat, then ascends to the jaw and enters the eye. Translation: It starts from within the lower … Read more
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 … Read more
Practitioners often speak of the “qijing bamai (Eight Extraordinary Meridians)”; do you know how they differ from the meridians used in acupuncture? And do you understand why it is essential to open the Eight Extraordinary Meridians? The qijing bamai is a term used in Daoist medicine, referring to the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel), Du Mai … Read more
Acupuncture points, commonly known as “points“, are special locations on the body where the qi of the internal organs and meridians is infused into the surface. The term “腧” (shù) relates to the meaning of transmission and infusion, while “穴” (xué) means a hole or opening. There are many acupuncture points in the human body, … Read more