Heart Meridian - The Heart Channel of Hand Shao-Yin

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Quick Facts

Associated Organ

Heart

Acupuncture Points

9 points

Peak Hours

11:00 - 13:00

Flow Direction

Centrifugal (away from torso)

Overview

The Heart Meridian (Hand Shao Yin) is one of the twelve principal meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine, beginning internally at the heart organ and emerging at the armpit to travel down the inner arm to the little finger. Known as the 'Emperor' of all organs, the Heart governs blood circulation, houses the Shen (spirit/mind), and controls mental and emotional functions. This meridian contains 9 acupuncture points and is most active during the 午 (wǔ) hour, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. It has an interior-exterior relationship with the Small Intestine Meridian.

24-Hour Qi Circulation Cycle

Previous in cycle

Spleen Meridian

Current Channel

Heart Meridian

11:00 - 13:00

Peak Activity Hours

Next in cycle

Small Intestine Meridian

Channel Pathways

The Heart Meridian consists of multiple channel systems, each with its own pathway and clinical significance.

Heart Primary Channel

手少阴心经 | Shǒu Shào Yīn Xīn Jīng

Pathway Description

The internal pathway:

The Heart Primary Channel of Hand Shao-Yin originates from the Heart.
It emerges from the blood vessel system surrounding the Heart and runs to the Lungs.
It then descends and emerges in the center of the axilla at Jiquan HE-1, which is the starting point of the external pathway.

The external pathway:

The Channel continues descending along the medial aspect of the upper arm between the Lung and Pericardium Channel.
Reaching Shaohai HE-3 at the elbow, it descends further along the antero-medial lower arm to Shenmen HE-7 at the pisiform bone of the wrist.
It then runs through the palm between the fourth and fifth metacarpal bones.
Continues travelling along the radial aspect of the little finger, it finally terminates at Shaochong HE-9 at the radial corner of the nail.

Branches:

1st branch: An internal branch separates from the Heart, ascends along the oesophagus and the neck region, passes the face and cheek and finally disperses around eye issues.
2nd branch: The other internal branch also originates from the Heart. It then descends through diaphragm and connects with the Small Intestine.

Heart Divergent Channel

手少阴经别 | Shǒu Shào Yīn Jīng Bié

Heart Sinew Channel

手少阴经筋 | Shǒu Shào Yīn Jīng Jīn

Pathway Description

The Heart Sinew Channel starts from the radial aspect of the little finger.
After binding at the pisiform bone at Shenmen HE-7, it ascends the anterior and ulnar aspect of the forearm and binds again at Shaohai HE-3 at the elbow.
It continues ascending the anterior part of the upper arm, arrives at the axillary region and binds there again. This is also the place it meets with the Lung Sinew Channel.
From the axillary region, it goes deeper into the body, penetrates the chest and binds at Shanzhong REN-17 at the body midline.
It then descends and penetrates the diaphragm and finally ends at the umbilicus.

Heart Luo-Connecting Vessel System

手少阴络脉 | Shǒu Shào Yīn Luò Mài

Pathway Description

Heart Luo-Connecting Vessel System separates from the primary channel at its Luo-Connecting point of Tongli HE-5.
It then spreads like a reticulate network, which is composed of many branches and sub-branches such as Sun Luo or Fu Luo.
- Sun Luo (Grandson Vessel): The small connecting vessels across the body.
- Fu Luo (Floating Vessel): Vessels of the skin.
One branch connects with the Small Intestine Primary Channel.
One branch follows its own Primary Channel to the Heart, bypassing the anterior arm, axilla and chest.
From the Heart, it then ascends to the root of the tongue and terminates in the eye.
Some books claim that the branch continues internally to the Brain.

Five Element Correspondences

Traditional associations of the Heart and its meridian within the Five Element framework.

Emotion

Joy (excessive joy/mania)

Color

Red

Taste

Bitter

Climate

Heat

Sense Organ

Tongue

Tissue

Blood Vessels

Manifests In

Complexion (Face)

Sound

Laughing

Body Fluid

Sweat

Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points along the Heart Meridian and related points from other channels.

9 Points on this Channel

Jiquan

HT-1

Qingling

HT-2

Shaohai

HT-3

Lingdao

HT-4

Tongli

HT-5

Yinxi

HT-6

Shenmen

HT-7

Shaofu

HT-8

Shaochong

HT-9

Related Points from Other Channels

Shaoze SI-1

Connection point where Heart Meridian flows into Small Intestine Meridian at the little finger

Xinshu BL-15

Back-Shu point of the Heart on the Bladder Meridian, used for Heart disorders

Juque REN-14

Front-Mu point of the Heart on the Ren Mai, used for Heart conditions

Detailed Information

In-depth information about the Heart Meridian and its clinical significance.

Overview

The Heart Meridian, known in Chinese as Shǒu Shào Yīn Xīn Jīng (手少阴心经), is one of the twelve principal meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It belongs to the Hand Shao Yin channel category, meaning it carries a 'lesser yin' quality. In TCM, the Heart is considered the 'Emperor' of the body—the supreme ruler of all organs and the seat of consciousness, emotions, and spirit (Shen).

Pathway and Trajectory

Internal Pathway: The meridian originates deep within the heart organ itself. From there, it descends through the diaphragm to connect with the small intestine (its paired yang organ). A branch ascends from the heart, runs alongside the esophagus (throat), and connects to the 'eye system'—the tissues linking the eyes to the brain. Another branch travels from the heart up to the lungs before emerging externally.

External Pathway: The external portion begins at HT-1 (Jiquan) in the center of the armpit. It descends along the inner aspect of the upper arm (posterior to the Lung and Pericardium meridians), passes through the elbow at HT-3 (Shaohai), continues down the inner forearm on the ulnar (pinky) side, reaches the wrist at HT-7 (Shenmen) near the pisiform bone, crosses the palm at HT-8 (Shaofu), and terminates at the radial corner of the little fingernail at HT-9 (Shaochong). From here, Qi flows into the Small Intestine Meridian.

Key Functions

Governs Blood and Blood Vessels: The Heart controls blood circulation throughout the body, ensuring all organs receive nourishment.
Houses the Shen (Spirit): The Heart is the residence of consciousness, awareness, memory, and emotional balance. A healthy Heart Shen manifests as clear thinking, good memory, and emotional stability.
Controls Sweating: In TCM, sweat is the 'fluid of the Heart,' and excessive sweating can indicate Heart imbalance.
Opens to the Tongue: The Heart's condition is reflected in speech clarity and the tongue's color and movement.
Manifests in the Complexion: A healthy rosy complexion indicates good Heart blood; pallor or a dull face suggests Heart deficiency.

Common Conditions Treated

The Heart Meridian points are primarily used for treating heart, chest, and mental-emotional conditions including: palpitations, chest pain, angina, insomnia, anxiety, poor memory, excessive dreaming, mania, depression, speech disorders (stuttering, aphasia), night sweats, and pain or numbness along the inner arm. Points like HT-7 (Shenmen) are particularly renowned for calming the spirit and treating insomnia and anxiety.

Five Element Correspondences

The Heart belongs to the Fire element and is associated with summer, the color red, the bitter taste, the emotion of joy (which in excess becomes mania), and the direction south. Its peak energy time is at midday (11 AM - 1 PM), reflecting its yang, sun-like nature within the body.

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