Neiyingxiang Point (EX-HN9 / Inner Welcome Fragrance)
Discover the exact location and acupressure method for Neiyingxiang (EX-HN9 / Inner Welcome Fragrance). Learn its benefits for acute red eyes, allergic rhinitis, and nasal congestion – the extraordinary point with nasal bloodletting therapy – plus classic combinations for comprehensive treatment.
Indications
Clears heat and drains fire, unblocks the nose and opens the orifices, dispels wind and releases the exterior. Treats acute red painful eyes (acute conjunctivitis), allergic rhinitis, nasal congestion, sinusitis, epistaxis, wind-heat headache, sore throat, and heatstroke.
Precise Location
Inside the nostril, at the mucosa between the nasal alar cartilage and the nasal concha.
Location Method
Sit upright or lie supine with the head slightly tilted back. The point is at the junction of the nasal alar cartilage and the nasal concha mucosa inside the nostril.
Massage Method
Use a sterilized cotton swab dipped in saline solution or clean water to gently press and knead the nasal mucosa inside the nostril for 1–2 minutes. Clinical practice commonly uses bloodletting: a sterilized reed tube or thin tube is gently inserted into the nasal mucosa to draw a few drops of blood – providing immediate results for red painful eyes and acute conjunctivitis. Strict disinfection is essential. Therapeutic actions: Clears heat and drains fire, unblocks the nose and opens the orifices, dispels wind and releases the exterior.
Compatibility
Allergic rhinitis: Combine with Hegu (LI-4), Fengchi (GB-20), and Dazhui (GV-14) – with laser irradiation or massage – to dispel wind, release the exterior, and unblock the nasal orifices. Acute red painful eyes: Combine with Jingming (BL-1), Taiyang (EX-HN5), and Erjian (EX-HN6). Nasal congestion and sinusitis: Combine with Yintang (EX-HN3), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN8), and Hegu (LI-4). Sore throat and headache: Combine with Shaoshang (LU-11) and Hegu (LI-4).
Efficacy & Actions
This is an extraordinary point located on the mucosa inside the nostrils. It clears heat and drains fire, unblocks the nose and opens the orifices, and dispels wind and releases the exterior. It is a commonly used key point for treating nasal and head-facial heat disorders. First documented in the Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion. "Nei" means inside; "Yingxiang" refers to Yingxiang (LI-20). Located inside the nostril, corresponding internally to Yingxiang, this point unblocks the nose and restores the sense of smell – hence the name Neiyingxiang (Inner Welcome Fragrance). In clinical practice, Neiyingxiang is often treated with bloodletting – using a reed tube or sterilized thin tube to prick the nasal mucosa to cause bleeding, which provides immediate relief for acute heat-type eye disorders such as red painful eyes. It is also used for nasal disorders such as allergic rhinitis.
Contraindications
Located on the nasal mucosa – strict disinfection is required for bloodletting to prevent infection. Manipulation should be gentle to avoid mucosal injury. Bloodletting is contraindicated in patients with bleeding disorders and pregnant women. Needling should not be too deep to avoid injury to the nasal concha.
