Zhaohai Point (KI-6 / Shining Sea, also known as Yinqiao, Louyin)
Nourishes yin and benefits the kidney, clears and benefits the throat, calms the spirit and stabilizes the mind. Based on its properties, it is clinically used for chronic pharyngitis, insomnia, epilepsy, foot inversion, constipation, and male and female reproductive system disorders.
Indications
Sore throat, heart pain, wheezing, constipation, borborygmus with diarrhea, irregular menstruation, and insomnia. (1) Throat disorders: Dry throat, itchy throat, sore throat, dry cough, globus hystericus. (2) Mental disorders: Insomnia, epilepsy, restlessness with fear. (3) Gynecological disorders: Irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, uterine prolapse, vaginal itching. (4) Urinary disorders: Frequent urination, urinary retention, constipation, hernia. (5) Lower limb disorders: Heel pain, foot inversion.
Precise Location
On the medial side of the foot, 1 cun below the tip of the medial malleolus, in the depression at the lower border of the medial malleolus.
Location Method
(1) At the intersection of a vertical line from the tip of the medial malleolus and a horizontal line at the lower border of the medial malleolus. (2) Slide downward from the tip of the medial malleolus to the depression at its lower border. (3) With both soles together, the point is in the depression at the lower edge of the medial malleolus, directly below the tip.
Massage Method
① Massage: Press and knead firmly with the thumb. ② Scraping therapy: Scrape from the ankle joint toward the sole. Press and knead Zhaohai firmly with the thumb about 200 times, or for 3–5 minutes, to treat insomnia, restlessness, and related conditions. Therapeutic actions: Nourishes yin and benefits the kidney, clears and benefits the throat, calms the spirit and stabilizes the mind, regulates menstruation and leukorrhea.
Compatibility
Irregular menstruation: Combine with Shenshu (BL-23), Guanyuan (RN-4), and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Throat disorders: Combine with Lieque (LU-7). Excessive sleepiness: Reduce Zhaohai, reinforce Shenmai (BL-62). Insomnia: Reinforce Zhaohai, reduce Shenmai (BL-62). Urinary retention: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Irregular menstruation: Combine with Guanyuan (RN-4), Sanyinjiao (SP-6), Geshu (BL-17), and Xuehai (SP-10). Dysmenorrhea and leukorrhea: Combine with Zhongji (RN-3) and Sanyinjiao (SP-6). Constipation: Combine with Zhigou (TE-6). Beriberi: Combine with Zusanli (ST-36). Foot inversion and foot eversion: Combine with Shenmai (BL-62).
Efficacy & Actions
Zhaohai belongs to the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and is one of the Eight Confluent Points, connecting to the Yin Qiao Vessel, of which it is the starting point. Needling this point regulates qi and blood of the Kidney Meridian and the Yin Qiao Vessel, with effects of nourishing yin, calming the spirit, benefiting the throat, and regulating menstruation. It is a commonly used key point for treating disorders caused by kidney yin deficiency. First documented in Zhenjiu Jiayijing. "Zhao" means shining or illuminating; "Hai" means sea where all rivers gather. Located below the medial malleolus, this is where the Yin Qiao Vessel originates and Kidney Meridian qi gathers. The qi here is vast and broad like a sea – hence the name Zhaohai (Shining Sea). It is also known as "Yinqiao" and "Louyin." (1) Key Point for Throat Disorders: As a Kidney Meridian point and one of the Eight Confluent Points connecting to the Yin Qiao Vessel – the Kidney Meridian "enters the lung, courses along the throat, and connects to the root of the tongue" – needling Zhaohai treats throat disorders through both meridian pathway and Eight Confluent Point theory, generating mutual nourishment of metal and water to nourish kidney yin and clear the throat. "Dry throat – Zhaohai is the primary point" – this was recorded in the Zhenjiu Jiayijing. Used for dry throat, sore throat, aphonia, dry cough, tonsillitis, etc. Patients should be instructed to take deep breaths and swallow while needling – immediate results are common. Often combined with Lieque (LU-7) as a fixed pairing: "Lieque of the Ren Mai governs the lung system; Yinqiao Zhaohai connects to the throat." (2) Common Point for Gynecological Disorders: As a Kidney Meridian point originating from the Yin Qiao Vessel, it tonifies the kidney and supplements essence, regulates Chong and Ren, treating gynecological disorders due to kidney yin deficiency – irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, leukorrhea, uterine prolapse, vaginal itching, frequent urination, and urinary retention. (3) Common Point for Constipation: With strong yin-nourishing effects, it is known as the "First Point for Nourishing Kidney Yin" – especially suitable for constipation due to yin deficiency with fire excess. The Yulong Ge states: "When constipation is stubborn and won't pass, Zhaohai is clearly the point; combine with Zhigou for draining, and the miraculous point shows its power." Often combined with Zhigou (TE-6) – Zhigou drains triple burner fire, Zhaohai nourishes kidney water – one drains fire, one supplements water, resolving constipation. (4) Functions of the Yin Qiao Vessel: Zhaohai originates from the Yin Qiao Vessel, which controls eyelid opening and closing and limb movement. The Lingshu · Maidu states: "The Qiao Vessels moisten the eyes; when qi does not nourish, the eyes cannot close." When Yang Qiao qi is excessive, the eyes open and one is alert; when Yin Qiao qi is excessive, the eyes close and one sleeps. The Qiao Vessels are closely related to sleep – only when functioning properly can one maintain normal sleep-wake cycles. The Nanjing · 29 Difficult Question states: "Yin Qiao disorders present with yang-side relaxation and yin-side tension; Yang Qiao disorders present with yin-side relaxation and yang-side tension." Thus Zhaohai treats insomnia, excessive sleepiness, nocturnal epilepsy, foot inversion, often combined with Shenmai (BL-62) with different reinforcing-reducing techniques.
Contraindications
Zhaohai has strong stimulation – use caution when needling in pregnant women; massage or finger pressure is preferred. The point is in the depression at the lower border of the medial malleolus – locate the deepest part of the depression.
