Yinbai Point (SP-1 / Hidden White, also known as Guilei, Guiyan, Yinbai)
Opens the orifices and awakens the spirit, benefits the spleen and governs blood. Based on its properties, it is mainly used for acute gynecological bleeding, acute vomiting, and acute diarrhea.
Indications
Metrorrhagia and metrostaxis, uterine spasm, infantile malnutrition, enteritis, and excessive dreaming. (1) Blood disorders: Hematuria, hematochezia, hematemesis, epistaxis, menorrhagia, metrorrhagia/metrostaxis. (2) Mental disorders: Manic-depressive disorders, schizophrenia, neurasthenia, excessive dreaming, nightmares, irritability with sadness. (3) Digestive disorders: Abdominal distension, sudden diarrhea, vomiting, acute enteritis. (4) Local conditions: Beriberi, toe pain, foot swelling.
Precise Location
Located on the Spleen Meridian, on the medial side of the distal phalanx of the great toe, approximately 0.1 cun from the nail corner.
Location Method
Sit upright, raise the foot and place it on the opposite thigh. Press beside the medial nail corner of the great toe with the thumb of the opposite hand – that is the point.
Massage Method
Massage: Firmly pinch and knead with the thumb tip. Press vertically into the point with the thumbnail – once each morning and evening, for 1–3 minutes on each side. Therapeutic actions: Regulates menstruation and blood, strengthens the spleen and calms the spirit.
Compatibility
Dysmenorrhea: Combine with Suliao (GV-25), Neiguan (PC-6), Yinbai (SP-1), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Disease overview: Dysmenorrhea is characterized by spasmodic lower abdominal pain before, during, or after menstruation, with systemic discomfort, severely affecting daily life – classified as primary and secondary. Massage sequence: First gently massage Suliao (at the tip of the nose) for 2 minutes; then press Neiguan and Yinbai for 3 minutes each; finally scrape Sanyinjiao for 3 minutes. Bleeding disorders (metrorrhagia, menorrhagia): Combine with Diji (SP-8) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Diarrhea: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36), Yinbai (SP-1), and Tianshu (ST-25). Infantile convulsions: Combine with Wuchu (BL-5), Zhigou (TE-6), and Yinbai (SP-1). Hematochezia: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36). Hematuria: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3). Hematemesis and epistaxis: Combine with Pishu (BL-20), Ganshu (BL-18), and Shangwan (RN-13). Gynecological disorders: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Metrorrhagia: Combine with Dadun (LR-1). Menorrhagia: Reinforce or moxibust Yinbai, with moxibustion at Shiqizhui (EX-B8). Syncope: Combine with Baihui (GV-20). Coma: Combine with Shuigou (GV-26). Nightmare disorder: Combine with Lidui (ST-45). Abdominal distension: Combine with Pishu (BL-20), Weishu (BL-21), Zusanli (ST-36), and Tianshu (ST-25).
Efficacy & Actions
Yinbai belongs to the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian and is the Jing-Well point of this meridian, corresponding to the Wood element in the five-element theory. It strengthens the spleen and stops diarrhea, drains dampness and stops leukorrhea, regulates menstruation and stops bleeding. It has a particularly strong hemostatic effect and is a key point for stopping bleeding. The even reinforcing-reducing technique or pricking to release blood is commonly used, as is moxibustion. First documented in Lingshu · Benshu. "Yin" means hidden or concealed. According to the Erya · Shigu: "Yin means subtle." "Bai" is the color of Metal, generated by Earth. Located on the foot, hence "Yin," at the junction of the red and white skin, hence "Bai." Positioned below the yin meridians, like a hidden dragon, it is the Jing-Well point of the Earth element – earth qi originates here while metal qi begins to hide – hence the name Yinbai (Hidden White). It is also known as "Guilei," "Guiyan," and "Yinbai." Menstruation is a physiological phenomenon every woman experiences. Due to diet, emotions, physical condition, or medication, menstruation may become irregular – sometimes with sudden heavy bleeding or intermittent discharge, commonly known as "flooding and leaking." In such cases, immediately take the patient to the hospital while applying strong pressure to Yinbai, or gently touching the point with incense smoke, which helps stop bleeding. (1) Strengthens the Spleen and Governs Blood: The Spleen governs blood – if the spleen fails to govern blood, blood does not stay in the meridians. As the Jing-Well point of the Spleen, according to "diseases of the zang organs are treated at the well points," it effectively treats bleeding disorders such as hematochezia, hematuria, hematemesis, menorrhagia, and metrorrhagia – especially menorrhagia and metrorrhagia. Moxibustion at this point warms and unblocks meridian qi, restoring the spleen's blood-governing function to stop flooding and leakage. The Liver stores blood – excessive liver discharging leads to blood storage failure, causing various bleeding patterns, often combined with Dadun (LR-1). Acute bleeding is treated with moxibustion, chronic bleeding with needling. (2) Treats Digestive System Disorders: Belonging to the Spleen Meridian, which governs transportation and transformation, needling strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach. "Well points treat fullness below the heart," so it is especially effective for abdominal fullness, vomiting, and poor appetite, as well as acute diarrhea. (3) Opens the Orifices and Awakens the Spirit: As the Jing-Well point where yang meridians meet yin meridians, qi and blood are abundant here. Prick bleeding or reducing needling opens the orifices and awakens the spirit. This is "Guilei" – one of the "Thirteen Ghost Points" – treating various mental disorders, especially nightmares, manic-depressive disorders, and infantile convulsions. The Yizong Jinjian records: "Lidui and Yinbai needled together treat nightmare disorder."
Contraindications
Studies show that needling Yinbai may relax the abdomen – caution should be exercised in pregnant women. Moxibustion is permissible.
