Yuan-source points
Yuan-source points are special acupuncture points where the body's primordial energy (Yuan Qi) surfaces and gathers along each of the twelve primary meridians. Located near the wrists and ankles, these points directly influence their corresponding organs and are used to diagnose and treat internal organ disorders.
Yuán Xué
Yuan-Source Points
Educational content · Consult qualified TCM practitioners for diagnosis and treatment
Overview
Yuan-source points (原穴, Yuán Xué) are special acupuncture points where the body's Yuan Qi (original qi or source qi) surfaces, passes through, and gathers along each of the twelve primary meridians. Think of them as "service stations" where the most fundamental energy of your organs stops and pools. Each of the twelve main meridians has exactly one Yuan-source point, all located near the wrists or ankles.
Yuan Qi is considered the primordial driving force of life—it originates from the Kidney area (specifically, "the moving qi between the kidneys") and is distributed throughout the body via the Triple Burner (San Jiao). Because Yuan-source points are where this vital energy concentrates, they have a direct connection to the health and function of their corresponding organs. When an organ becomes imbalanced, changes often appear at its Yuan-source point—practitioners may notice tenderness, temperature changes, or other abnormalities there.
A key distinction: on Yin meridians (Lung, Spleen, Heart, Kidney, Pericardium, Liver), the Yuan-source point is the same as the Shu-stream point among the Five Transporting points. On Yang meridians (Large Intestine, Stomach, Small Intestine, Bladder, Triple Burner, Gallbladder), there is a separate, distinct Yuan-source point located just beyond the Shu-stream point.
Historical Context
The concept of Yuan-source points was first introduced in the Ling Shu (Spiritual Pivot), one of the foundational texts of Chinese medicine dating to approximately 100 BCE. In the chapter "Nine Needles and Twelve Sources," eleven Yuan-source points were named along with their locations—though notably, the Heart meridian's Yuan-source point (Shenmen) was missing from this original list and was later added by the Nan Jing (Classic of Difficult Issues) around the 1st-2nd century CE.
The Nan Jing significantly developed the theoretical framework by explaining the relationship between Yuan-source points, Yuan Qi, and the Triple Burner. It established that Yuan Qi originates from "the moving qi between the kidneys" and is distributed throughout the body by the Triple Burner, which acts as its "special envoy." This text also formalized the complete system of twelve Yuan-source points corresponding to all twelve primary meridians.
By the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Yuan-source points had become central to clinical practice. The Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, 1601) shows Yuan-source points appearing in over 52% of its recorded treatment protocols. In modern times, these points continue to be used as representative points for their meridians in research on the meridian system.
Comparison
Lung - LU-9 Taiyuan
肺经 - 太渊Yin meridian. Yuan-source point is same as Shu-stream point. Primary point for Lung Qi deficiency, cough, asthma, and weakness of breathing. Also the Hui-meeting point of vessels.
Large Intestine - LI-4 Hegu
大肠经 - 合谷Yang meridian with separate Yuan-source point. One of the most important and versatile acupuncture points. Treats face, head, and sense organ disorders; expels wind; relieves pain. Combined with LR-3 forms 'Four Gates.'
Stomach - ST-42 Chongyang
胃经 - 冲阳Yang meridian with separate Yuan-source point. Located on the dorsum of the foot. Treats digestive disorders, facial paralysis, and toothache. Pulse can be felt here.
Spleen - SP-3 Taibai
脾经 - 太白Yin meridian. Yuan-source point is same as Shu-stream point. Primary point for Spleen Qi deficiency, digestive weakness, abdominal distension, and loose stools.
Heart - HT-7 Shenmen
心经 - 神门Yin meridian. Yuan-source point is same as Shu-stream point. Called 'Spirit Gate'—calms the mind, treats insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, and heart disorders.
Small Intestine - SI-4 Wangu
小肠经 - 腕骨Yang meridian with separate Yuan-source point. Benefits the wrist, clears heat and dampness, treats jaundice, headache, and neck stiffness.
Bladder - BL-64 Jinggu
膀胱经 - 京骨Yang meridian with separate Yuan-source point. Clears the head, treats headache, neck stiffness, back pain, and epilepsy.
Kidney - KI-3 Taixi
肾经 - 太溪Yin meridian. Yuan-source point is same as Shu-stream point. Critical point for tonifying both Kidney Yin and Yang. Treats lower back pain, tinnitus, infertility, and urinary disorders.
Pericardium - PC-7 Daling
心包经 - 大陵Yin meridian. Yuan-source point is same as Shu-stream point. Calms the heart and spirit, clears heart fire, treats palpitations, chest pain, and emotional disorders.
Triple Burner - TB-4 Yangchi
三焦经 - 阳池Yang meridian with separate Yuan-source point. Particularly significant as the Triple Burner distributes Yuan Qi throughout the body. Treats wrist pain, diabetes, and benefits fluid metabolism.
Gallbladder - GB-40 Qiuxu
胆经 - 丘墟Yang meridian with separate Yuan-source point. Benefits the joints, clears Gallbladder heat, treats lateral ankle pain, hypochondriac pain, and eye disorders.
Liver - LR-3 Taichong
肝经 - 太冲Yin meridian. Yuan-source point is same as Shu-stream point. The most important point for spreading Liver Qi. Treats Liver Qi stagnation, headaches, eye problems, emotional disorders, and hypertension.
Yuan Qi Connection
原气Yuan-source points are where the body's most fundamental energy—Yuan Qi (original qi)—surfaces and gathers. This primordial energy originates from the space between the kidneys and is the driving force behind all life activities. Because these points tap directly into this root energy, they can profoundly influence organ function.
Triple Burner Distribution
三焦输布The Triple Burner (San Jiao) acts as the 'special envoy' that transports Yuan Qi throughout the body. It distributes this source energy to all organs and meridians. Needling Yuan-source points helps activate the Triple Burner's function, allowing Yuan Qi to flow freely and restore balance.
Yin Channels: Shu Equals Yuan
阴经以输为原On Yin meridians, the Yuan-source point shares the same location as the Shu-stream point (the third of the Five Transporting points). This means Yin meridians have overlapping functions at this point—both the properties of the Shu-stream point and the Yuan-source point apply.
Yang Channels: Separate Yuan Point
阳经另有原穴Unlike Yin meridians, Yang meridians have a distinct, separate Yuan-source point located just beyond (proximal to) the Shu-stream point. This gives Yang meridians an additional special point for accessing Yuan Qi.
Diagnostic Reflection
诊断反映When organs become diseased, abnormalities often manifest at their corresponding Yuan-source points. Practitioners can palpate these points to assess organ health—checking for tenderness, temperature changes, swelling, or other signs. This makes Yuan-source points valuable diagnostic tools as well as treatment points.
Bidirectional Regulation
双向调节Yuan-source points have a unique ability to both tonify (strengthen) deficiency and drain excess—a function called 'double regulation.' This means the same point can be used whether the organ is weak or overactive, making Yuan-source points extremely versatile in clinical practice.
Practical Application
Diagnosis: Yuan-source points serve as windows into organ health. Practitioners palpate these points looking for abnormalities—tenderness, temperature changes, swelling, or unusual sensations can indicate problems with the corresponding organ. For example, sensitivity at KI-3 (Taixi) might suggest Kidney deficiency, while tenderness at LR-3 (Taichong) could point to Liver Qi stagnation.
Treating Organ Disorders: The classical principle "for diseases of the five Zang organs, select the twelve Yuan-source points" guides clinical application. Yuan-source points on Yin meridians primarily tonify their corresponding organs, making them ideal for deficiency conditions. Yang meridian Yuan-source points are often used to expel pathogenic factors and address excess patterns, though they can also treat their paired Fu organs through the interior-exterior relationship.
Yuan-Luo Pairing Method: One of the most important clinical applications is combining a Yuan-source point with a Luo-connecting point from the paired meridian. The rule is: for deficiency, tonify the Yuan-source point and disperse the Luo-connecting point of the paired channel; for excess, disperse the Yuan-source point and tonify the Luo-connecting point of the paired channel. For example, to treat Lung Qi deficiency, needle LU-9 (the Lung Yuan-source point) with LI-6 (the Large Intestine Luo-connecting point).
Clinical Relevance
Primary Indications: Yuan-source points are most effective for treating disorders of their corresponding Zang-Fu organs. Yin meridian Yuan-source points excel at tonifying the five Zang organs (Heart, Lung, Spleen, Liver, Kidney), while Yang meridian Yuan-source points are better suited for expelling pathogenic factors and treating excess conditions. Through the interior-exterior relationship, they can also treat the paired organ.
Common Point Combinations:
- Yuan-Luo pairing: Combine the Yuan-source point of the affected meridian with the Luo-connecting point of its paired meridian (e.g., LU-9 + LI-6 for Lung deficiency)
- Yuan-Shu pairing: Combine the Yuan-source point with the corresponding Back-Shu point for deeper organ tonification (e.g., KI-3 + BL-23 for Kidney deficiency)
- Four Gates (Si Guan): LI-4 (Hegu) + LR-3 (Taichong) together powerfully move Qi and Blood throughout the body, treating pain, stress, and emotional disorders
- Zang-Fu pairing: Combine Yin and Yang Yuan-source points (e.g., LU-9 + LI-4) following the principle that "Shaoyin pairs with Shaoyang, Taiyin pairs with Taiyang, Jueyin pairs with Yangming"
Needle Technique: Yuan-source points can be tonified with gentle stimulation and moxa to strengthen deficient organs, or dispersed with stronger stimulation to clear excess conditions. Their bidirectional regulatory nature makes them highly adaptable to the patient's condition.
Common Misconceptions
"Yuan-source points only tonify—they can't treat excess conditions." While Yuan-source points are famous for their tonifying ability, they actually have bidirectional regulatory effects. They can both tonify deficiency AND drain excess, making them versatile for many clinical situations. Yang meridian Yuan-source points are particularly useful for expelling pathogenic factors.
"All twelve Yuan-source points are separate, distinct points." This is only true for Yang meridians. On Yin meridians, the Yuan-source point is identical to the Shu-stream point (the third of the Five Transporting points). So while we speak of twelve Yuan-source points, only six of them have unique locations—the other six share their location with Shu-stream points.
"Yuan-source points only treat organ disorders." While their primary indication is indeed Zang-Fu disorders, Yuan-source points can also treat channel problems, limb disorders, and even emotional imbalances. Their connection to Yuan Qi gives them broader applications than treating organs alone.
"The Heart's Yuan-source point has always been known." Actually, the original Ling Shu text listed only eleven Yuan-source points and omitted Shenmen (HT-7). It was the Nan Jing, written later, that completed the system by adding the Heart meridian's Yuan-source point.
Organizing Principle
Yuan-source points are unified by their relationship to Yuan Qi (original qi or source qi)—the most fundamental energy that drives all life activities. Every Yuan-source point is located near the wrist (for arm meridians) or ankle (for leg meridians), in areas where Yuan Qi surfaces from deep within the body and "pools" before continuing along the meridian.
The theoretical basis comes from the Nan Jing: Yuan Qi originates from "the moving qi between the kidneys" (essentially, the Kidney essence) and is distributed throughout the body by the Triple Burner (San Jiao). The Triple Burner is called the "special envoy" of Yuan Qi—it carries this vital energy to all organs and meridians. Because Yuan-source points are where this root energy concentrates, needling them can tap directly into the body's most fundamental vitality.
Clinical Use: Select the Yuan-source point of the meridian whose organ is affected. For tonification (strengthening weak organs), use gentle stimulation; for dispersion (clearing excess), use stronger manipulation. The Yuan-Luo pairing method—combining a Yuan-source point with the Luo-connecting point of the paired meridian—is a classic technique for balancing interior-exterior related channels and treating complex disorders involving multiple organs.
Points in this Category
Taiyuan
Lung meridian Yuan-source point; also the Shu-stream point and Hui-meeting point of vessels; treats Lung disorders and tonifies Lung Qi
Hegu
Large Intestine meridian Yuan-source point; one of the most versatile and commonly used acupuncture points; combined with LR-3 forms the 'Four Gates'
Chongyang
Stomach meridian Yuan-source point; located on the dorsum of the foot; treats digestive disorders
Taibai
Spleen meridian Yuan-source point; also the Shu-stream point; primary point for Spleen Qi deficiency and digestive issues
Shenmen
Heart meridian Yuan-source point; also the Shu-stream point; calms the spirit and treats heart disorders
Wangu
Small Intestine meridian Yuan-source point; benefits the wrist and clears heat
Jinggu
Bladder meridian Yuan-source point; treats headaches, neck stiffness, and back pain
Taixi
Kidney meridian Yuan-source point; also the Shu-stream point; crucial for tonifying Kidney Yin and Yang
Daling
Pericardium meridian Yuan-source point; also the Shu-stream point; calms the heart and clears heat
Yangchi
Triple Burner meridian Yuan-source point; regulates the Triple Burner's distribution of Yuan Qi throughout the body
Qiuxu
Gallbladder meridian Yuan-source point; benefits the joints and clears Gallbladder heat
Taichong
Liver meridian Yuan-source point; also the Shu-stream point; spreads Liver Qi, calms the Liver, and subdues Liver Yang
Classical Sources
Ling Shu (灵枢)
Chapter 1: Nine Needles and Twelve Sources (九针十二原)五脏有疾也，应出十二原，而原各有所出，明知其原，睹其应，而知五脏之害矣。
When the five Zang organs have diseases, they are reflected at the twelve Yuan-source points. Each Yuan-source point has its location; if one clearly knows the Yuan-source points and observes their responses, one can understand the disorders of the five Zang organs.
Nan Jing (难经)
Chapter 66 (六十六难)脐下肾间动气者，人之生命也，十二经之根本也，故名曰原。三焦者，原气之别使也。
The moving qi between the kidneys below the navel is the source of human life and the root of the twelve meridians, hence the name 'Yuan' (source). The Triple Burner is the special envoy of Yuan Qi.
Zhen Jiu Da Cheng (针灸大成)
Zhi Zheng Zong Yao (治证总要)Various treatment protocols
Historical analysis shows Yuan-source points appear in 52% of the 151 treatment prescriptions recorded in this text, demonstrating their clinical importance.
Modern References
A Manual of Acupuncture
Comprehensive reference covering Yuan-source points with detailed clinical applications and classical citations
The Foundations of Chinese Medicine
Discusses the theoretical basis of Yuan-source points within the broader context of TCM theory
Discussion on the relationship between yuan-source points of yang meridians and diseases of fu-organs
PubMed published research examining the clinical indications of Yang meridian Yuan-source points for Fu organ diseases