Heart Channel

Jiquan HE-1

Chinese: 极泉

Pinyin: Jí Quán

Location

In the center of the axilla, on the medial side of the axillary artery. 

How to locate

With the arm abducted, palpate along the thoracic wall in a superior direction towards the center of the axilla until reaching the highest point. 

Main actions

  1. Nourishes the Heart Yin
  2. Opens the Channel and remove Stagnation
  3. Calms the Mind

Indications

Thirst Sadness Anxiety Insomnia Dry mouth Chest pain Dry throat sHeart pain Axilla pain Palpitations Night sweats Restlnessness Stiff shoulder Hypochondrium fullness

Needling

0.5–1 cun vertically in the direction of GB-21.

Caution: Axillary plexus and artery. Needling in a medial direction may puncture the Lungs!

Commentary for Jiquan HE-1

Jiquan HE-1 is mostly used to nourish the Heart Yin and clear Empty-Heat in the Heart. Therefore, it is able to treat Empty symptoms such as thirst, dry mouth and throat, night sweating, mental restlessness and insomnia. 

It can also be stimulated to remove Stagnation from the Channel, so as to ease Heart and chest pain, distension and fullness of hypochondrium, inability to raise the shoulder as well as pain in the axilla.

Finally, it can calm the Mind to treat mental disorders such as sadness, anxiety and palpitation.