Acupuncture
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EX-HN-13
Safety Warnings
- Dangerous point - requires extra caution
- Deep needling contraindicated - shallow insertion only
- Moxibustion contraindicated
Needle Depth
Prick to bleed (no standard depth) cun
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Body Area
Face — Perioral
Location
Below the tongue, on the right lingual vein side of the frenulum.
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and reduces swelling
- Generates Body Fluids
- Benefits the tongue
Indications
Diarrhea
Tongue pain
Throat pain
Mouth ulcers
Loss of voice
Swollen tongue
Morning sickness
Tongue stiffness
Lotus flower tongue
Aphasia after Windstroke
Commentary
Jinjin EX-HN-12 and Yuye EX-HN-13 are mostly combined, despite that they are not used often due to their location on the frenulum.
Their main function is to clear Heat and reduce swelling of the tongue, in sudden, severe and recalcitrant cases.
They can also be applied to treat severe morning sickness.
Classical Sources
《类经图翼》(Lei Jing Tu Yi): "左金津，右玉液，在舌下两旁紫脉上。主治消渴、口疮、舌肿、喉痹。三棱针出血。" ("Left is Jinjin, right is Yuye, on the purple veins on both sides under the tongue. Treats wasting-thirst, mouth sores, tongue swelling, throat obstruction. Prick with three-edged needle to bleed.")
《针灸大成》(Zhen Jiu Da Cheng): "在舌下两旁紫脉上是穴，卷舌取之。治重舌肿痛喉闭，用白汤煮三棱针出血。" ("The point is on the purple veins on both sides under the tongue; curl the tongue to locate. Treats double tongue, painful swelling, and throat closure. Use a boiled three-edged needle to draw blood.")
《备急千金要方》(Bei Ji Qian Jin Yao Fang): "治舌卒肿，满口溢出如吹猪胞，气息不得通，须臾不治杀人：刺舌下两边大脉出血……" ("For sudden tongue swelling that fills the mouth like a blown pig bladder, blocking breathing and fatal if untreated: prick the large veins on both sides under the tongue to draw blood...")
How to Locate
Roll up the tongue and reveal the lingual veins on the frenulum. Yuye EX-HN-13 is on the right side, while Jinjin EX-HN-12 is on the left lingual veins.
Caution
Contraindicated in patients with bleeding disorders or those taking anticoagulant medication. Ensure proper sterilization of the three-edged needle before puncture. Do not puncture the central vein under the tongue (frenulum center) as this may cause uncontrollable bleeding which can be life-threatening according to classical texts. Use swift, shallow puncture technique only. This point should only be performed by experienced practitioners due to the sensitive location and risk of excessive bleeding.
Needle Angle
90° (Perpendicular)
Depth Category
Shallow
Standard Depth
Prick to bleed (no standard depth) cun
Needling Directions
Swift puncture with a needle, lancet or three-edged needle and let bleed. It is often used together with Jinjin EX-HN-12. Caution: It is contraindicated for patients with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulant medication.
Expected Deqi Sensation
Sharp pricking pain during puncture. No traditional deqi sensation is sought as this point is exclusively used for bloodletting, not retention needling. Patient should feel immediate relief of tongue and throat symptoms after bleeding.
Moxibustion
Contraindicated
Duration: N/A - Moxibustion is contraindicated
Cupping
Contraindicated
Bloodletting
Particularly Recommended
Gua Sha
Contraindicated
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