Qihai Point (RN-6 / Sea of Qi, also known as Boyu, Xiahuang, Dantian, Qize, Jiyu)
Cultivates and supplements primordial qi, raises yang and lifts prolapse, regulates qi movement, and regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea. Based on its properties, it is used for uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, hernia, enuresis, impotence, premature ejaculation, irregular menstruation, frequent urination, urinary urgency, and various chronic conditions.
Indications
Lower abdominal disorders, gynecological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, deficiency patterns, limb weakness, and irregular menstruation. (1) Male disorders: Spermatorrhea, seminal incontinence, impotence, infertility. (2) Gynecological disorders: Irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, metrorrhagia, infertility, persistent postpartum lochiorrhea, retained placenta. (3) Urinary disorders: Urinary retention, enuresis, frequent urination, five types of strangury. (4) Qi sinking disorders: Rectal prolapse, uterine prolapse, hernia, gastric ptosis, prolonged diarrhea. (5) Deficiency patterns and chronic diseases: Consumptive disease with emaciation, fatigue, post-illness or post-surgery recovery.
Precise Location
In the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun below the umbilicus, on the anterior midline – 2 finger-widths below the center of the umbilicus.
Location Method
Lie supine. On the anterior midline, measure 2 finger-widths (approximately 1.5 cun) downward from the center of the umbilicus – that is the point.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead with the thumb. ② Cupping: Apply retained cupping with a fire cup. ③ Scraping therapy: Scrape from top to bottom. Press and knead Qihai with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat limb weakness and irregular menstruation. Therapeutic actions: Cultivates and supplements primordial qi, raises yang and lifts prolapse, regulates qi movement, and regulates menstruation and stops leukorrhea.
Compatibility
Urinary and reproductive disorders: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), and Shenshu (BL-23). Kidney yang deficiency: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Mingmen (GV-4), and Shenshu (BL-23). Strangury: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36). Male and female reproductive disorders: Combine with Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Dysentery: Combine with Tianshu (ST-25). Qi sinking: Combine with Baihui (GV-20), Guanyuan (RN-4), Zusanli (ST-36), and Zhongwan (RN-12). Lower jiao qi movement disorders: Combine with Tanzhong (RN-17), Zhigou (TE-6), and Taichong (LR-3). Difficult urination: Combine with Yinlingquan (SP-9) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Lower abdominal masses, strangury, amenorrhea: Combine with Xuehai (SP-10). Leukorrhea and turbid discharge: Combine with Xiaochangshu (BL-27). Dribbling urination with lower abdominal distension and pain: Combine with Yinlingquan (SP-9), Dadun (LR-1), and Xingjian (LR-2).
Efficacy & Actions
Qihai belongs to the Conception Vessel (Ren Mai) and is the sea of vital qi where primordial qi converges. It greatly supplements primordial qi, raises and lifts yang qi, supplements kidney qi, and regulates the qi movement of the lower jiao. It is a key point for treating all conditions of true qi deficiency, middle qi sinking, chronic diseases unresponsive to prolonged treatment, and lower jiao qi movement disorders. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. Located below the umbilicus, where prenatal primordial qi converges and governs the qi movement of the entire body – hence the name Qihai (Sea of Qi). It is also known as "Boyu," "Xiahuang," "Dantian," "Qize," and "Jiyu." (1) Key Point for Strengthening the Body and Health Preservation: This point is the sea of vital qi, the gathering place of primordial qi, and the source of vital qi – it regulates qi movement, benefits primordial qi, supplements kidney deficiency, and consolidates essence and blood, making it a key point for strengthening the body. It is used for all cases of primordial qi deficiency or collapse, often with moxibustion. The Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing records: "Liu Gongdu said: 'I have no other method for health preservation than not allowing primordial qi to be affected by emotions – if one can regularly moxibust Qihai to keep it warm, that is sufficient.'" For those weakened by severe or chronic illness, this point restores the function of primordial qi. (2) Key Point for Male and Female Reproductive Disorders: Located in the lower abdomen, this is the mansion where essence is stored and the qi meeting point of the lower jiao – supplementing kidney deficiency and consolidating essence and blood. It treats male kidney essence deficiency, spermatorrhea, impotence, premature ejaculation, and female irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, leukorrhea, uterine prolapse, retained lochia, postpartum abdominal pain, and infertility – often combined with Sanyinjiao (SP-6). The Baizheng Fu states: "Needling Sanyinjiao and Qihai specifically treats turbid discharge and prolonged spermatorrhea." (3) Primary Point for Qi Sinking: "How to treat all qi disorders? Needling or moxibusting Qihai brings relief." As the gathering place of primordial qi and the sea of vital qi, supplementing this point benefits qi and consolidates the root, raises yang and lifts prolapse – used for all true qi deficiency, organ qi exhaustion, and middle qi sinking such as uterine prolapse, rectal prolapse, hernia, gastric ptosis, and prolonged diarrhea, often with moxibustion. The Zhenjiu Zisheng Jing states: "Qihai treats organ qi exhaustion, true qi deficiency, and all qi disorders that have not healed for a long time – all are treated with moxibustion." Clinically combined with Baihui (GV-20), Guanyuan (RN-4), Zhongwan (RN-12), and Zusanli (ST-36). (4) Common Point for Urinary Disorders: The Great Compendium states: "Qihai specifically treats the five types of strangury." As a Ren Mai point – the Ren Mai and Chong Vessel both originate in the uterus, connect posteriorly to the Du Mai and Kidney Meridian, and are closely related to the three yin meridians of the hand and foot, known as the "Sea of Yin Meridians." Located in the lower abdomen, with the bladder and reproductive system beneath, it treats urinary retention, frequent urination, urinary urgency, enuresis, lower abdominal pain, and distension. The Great Compendium records a case: In the summer of the Jiachen year, a patient with dysentery and incessant hematemesis, fever, cough, and a fist-sized mass around the umbilicus causing severe pain was near death. Though the pulse was critical, the chest was still warm. Despite contraindications for needling that day, Qihai was urgently needled and moxibusted with 50 cones – the patient revived, the mass dispersed, and the pain ceased.
Contraindications
Avoid deep needling when the bladder is full – the patient should urinate before needling. Use with caution in pregnant women; moxibustion is contraindicated during pregnancy. Moxibustion is permissible and is a commonly used moxibustion point in clinical practice.
