Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming (ST)
The Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming pertains to the stomach and connects with the spleen. Therefore, it has the closest relationship with the stomach. It is an extremely important meridian for the digestive system, sustaining the acquired foundation (postnatal root) of the human body. It originates from the side of the nose on the head, runs across the forehead, passes through the neck, and enters the supraclavicular fossa. It then descends through the chest and abdomen, continues down the lower limb, and terminates at the tip of the foot. It is a very long meridian.
Active Hours
Chen hour, Stomach Meridian
Functions
The Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot), in the chapter "Meridians" (Jing Mai), records: "The Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming governs disorders of the blood: mania, malaria (or intermittent fevers), prevalence of heat, sweating, sniveling and epistaxis, wry mouth (facial paralysis)... When there is excess in the stomach, it leads to rapid digestion with increased appetite (polyphagia) and yellowish urine. When the stomach qi is insufficient, the front of the body will feel cold and shiver; when there is cold in the stomach, there will be distension and fullness."
Related Conditions
Visceral patterns (Zang-fu symptoms): When the Stomach Meridian of Foot-Yangming is obstructed, symptoms such as stomach pain and distension, indigestion, vomiting, regurgitation, and borborygmus (rumbling intestines) may occur. In severe cases, there may be a loss of appetite or a complete lack of appetite. Meridian patterns (Jing-luo symptoms): When this meridian is obstructed, it may easily give rise to night sweats, high fever, toothache, sore throat, deviation of the mouth (wry mouth), nasal discharge, and epistaxis (nosebleed), among other symptoms.
Daily Care
After a whole night, the stomach has long been ravenously empty. Eating breakfast at this time allows it to digest food with maximum effort. If you skip eating and don't fill your stomach, it will continue secreting gastric acid. Prolonged hunger can lead to risks such as gastric ulcers, duodenitis, gastritis, and cholecystitis! Massaging and kneading the Stomach Meridian promptly after meals can help regulate gastrointestinal function. The Stomach Meridian is a pathway running from head to foot. During the Chen hour (7:00–9:00 a.m.), one hour after meals, and one hour before bedtime—three times daily—pat, tap, or press along the Stomach Meridian for about 10 minutes each session. Stimulating and dredging the meridian in this way can relieve discomfort and eliminate fatigue.
Acupoints
No acupoints listed for this meridian yet.