HT-3 Shaohai - Little Sea
More Spirit Names: Lesser Sea, Lesser Yin Sea
| English: | Lesser Sea |
| Also Known As: | Little Sea Yellow Sea Lesser Yin Sea |
Location
- With the arm bent at the elbow, this point can be found in the depression between the end of the transverse crease on the ulnar side of the elbow and the medial condyle of the humerus.
- With the elbow flexed, at the midpoint of the line connecting the medial end of the cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus.
- Midway between PC-3 Quze and the medial epicondyle of the humerus, at the medial end of the transverse cubital crease, when the elbow is fully flexed.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun, causing local distention and soreness, or an electric, numb sensation extending through the forearm.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Oblique insertion, distally or proximally, or directed toward LI-11 Quchi, 0.5 to 1.5 cun.
Note: according to a number of classical sources, moxibustion is contraindicated.
Command Functions
- He-Sea (Uniting) point
- Water point
Actions
- Calms the Shen
- Clears the vessels
- Transforms Phlegm
- Clears Heat
- Activates the channel
- Benefits the arm
- Invigorates the collaterals
- Relaxes the tendons
Indications
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Combinations
| LI-10 | M-HN-54 | ST-33 |
Numbness in the arm | Neurasthenia | Chest pain |
KI-9 | PC-1 Or SJ-10 | |
Vomiting of foam | Vomiting of foamy, watery saliva | Scrofula |
LI-10 | ||
Manic raving, fear and fright | Stiff tongue Tongue thrusting | Stubborn numbness of both forearms |
Contraindications
- Some sources say that moxibustion is contraindicated.
- Some sources say that cauterization is to be used in emergency situations only.
Notes
- This is a very calming point, even with acupressure.
- This is a first aid point for exhaustion.
- It is a reservoir of vital Qi.
- This is an important point for numbness and trembling of the arm and hand and disorders of the elbow.
- This is a special point for scrofula.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | The Supreme Controller's Sea, the essence's water, the king's bath, creator of body and soul: holy healing water that brings peace and tranquility and cleanses soul, spirit and mind. It brings the energy of the Kidneys through the Heart, the watery aspects of stillness and power; Water energy gives us power in life, the power, drive and energy. "Seas" always represent large amounts, not a pond or a puddle. A great accumulation of Qi is stored here in abundance, and we can draw on the Qi of this sea. Anything held very tightly vibrates more and heats up; a Heart held tight and closed builds up heat. This point may be called little, yet as the sea point of the Heart it opens onto an ocean of Yin potential that can cool the Heart fire and so calm it. |
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| Worsley | Location: With the elbow slightly bent, near the inner end of the elbow crease, roughly midway between the biceps tendon and the humerus's medial epicondyle. Trace the medial edge of biceps downward to the elbow (arm half flexed) to reach it. |
| When to Consider |
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| Notes |
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From Class
- ST-41, HT-3 (extreme agitation): For screaming, shouting or violent outbursts, ST-41 and HT-3 help stabilize the temperament. (Lewis)
- HT-3 + PC-1 + KI-9 (+ GB-22 for women): Combination from the father of the attacking and purging school (Zhang Zihe) for phlegm harassing the heart; HT-3 + KI-9 for heart-kidney communication. (Gioioso)
- HT-3 / HT-5: Calm the shen (stronger) and settle the shen (sedative-like); HT-5 for breaking through/overwhelm. (Gioioso)
- HT-3 Shaohai / HT-5 Tongli: Primary heart points to calm the shen when irritable/agitated; slow the thought process. (Gioioso)
- HT-3 Shaohai — Health palace: Cools and harmonizes the heart, supporting peace amid physical and emotional challenges. (Lewis)
- Quiet the shen: ST-23, ST-24, HT-3 to HT-6: For yin emotions (depression, fear). (Yuen)
- Stabilize the shen (ding shen): ST-41, HT-3: Sedative-like; stabilize temperament so one doesn't self-harm. (Yuen)