REN-6 Qihai - Sea of Qi
| English: | Sea of Qi |
| Also Known As: | Little Dantian |
Location
- On the midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun inferior to the umbilicus and 3.5 cun superior to the pubic symphysis.
Needling
- Perpendicular insertion 0.8 to 1.5 cun.
- Caution: deep needling may penetrate the peritoneal cavity.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
- Slanted insertion pointed downward 2 to 3 cun. Sensation: local distention and soreness, possibly extending into the genital region.
- Caution: When the bladder is full, do not insert the needle too deeply.
Command Functions
- Hara point
Actions
- Fosters Yuan Qi
- Tonifies Qi
- Tonifies the Kidneys
- Fortifies Yang
- Restores collapse of Yang
- Regulates Qi functions
- Regulates Qi Circulation
- Harmonizes the Blood
- Dispels Dampness
- Dispels Damp-Heat
- Dries Cold-Damp
- Tonifies the body
- Prolongs life
- Enriches Yin
- Regulates the REN-channel
- Regulates menstruation
- Regulates the Lower Jiao
- Regulates the water pathways
- Clears Deficiency Heat
- Cools Blood Heat
- Calms the fetus
- Raises Middle Qi
- Warms Cold
- Expels urinary stones
Indications
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Combinations
| REN-21 | SP-6 | |
Distressed, rapid dyspnea | Impotence | White turbidity Chronic seminal emission Postpartum Blood clot pain |
UB-27 | ||
Palpitations and insomnia | Irregular menstruation | Dysmenorrhea |
REN-4 | PC-6 | |
Red and white vaginal discharge | Bloody dysenteric disorder | Hemafecia |
REN-4 | ||
Red and hesitant urinary flow | Dark urine | Obstructed urination |
The five types of painful urinary dysfunction | Periumbilical pain | Dysmenorrhea |
UB-40 | GB-34 | |
Incontinence | Qi Deficiency | Moves Qi and relieves pain and distention in the lower abdomen |
Contraindications
- Contraindicated during pregnancy.
Notes
- This point as well as REN-4 Guanyuan is known as Dantian (Cinnabar Field).
- This point is used when one is bogged down in negativity, who have given up on life.
- This is one of the most important points for tonification.
- This is a major point for reinforcing the Kidneys, especially Kidney Yang.
- This point is the center of energy for the whole body.
- Moxa is used most often.
- Raises Yang Qi in a manner similar to Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang.
- REN-6 vs REN-17: REN-6 moves Qi in the Middle and Lower Jiao and tonifies Qi of the whole body; REN-17 moves and tonifies Qi of the Upper Jiao.
Five Elements Spirit Perspective
| Spirit of the Point | Sea of Qi is the main center of energy, corresponding to the Dan Tian, where energy is stored in the umbilical area in Daoist meditation. It is a sea of great value to draw on and gives access to Qi; it can bring warmth so energy spreads out of the sea into the stream and the mind. It is used for extreme physical, mental and spiritual exhaustion and is very tonifying. It offers the Heart a quiet strength so the spirits can rest there. It gives a strong connection to the navel and to the nourishment a person may not have received, on any level, in childhood. It is a huge, vast oceanic reservoir to draw on, or to fill, when body, mind and spirit are depleted overall. Energy spreads from here through the whole person and fills the other seas; cut off from it a person has no spark, no vitality and no interest in life. Eastern meditation stresses the energy of the lower Dan Tian, our center of gravity, as the source that replenishes the sea and generates spiritual power. |
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| Worsley | Location: On the front midline, 1½ ACI below the umbilicus. |
| When to Consider |
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From Class
- ST-25 + Ren-12 + Ren-6 (Earth School protocol): Earth School protocol: ST-25 (regulates intestines, unwinds psoas), Ren-12 (regulates stomach qi), Ren-6 (regulates qi, tonifies kidneys); release the psoas for back complaints. (Alexander)
- ST-40 Fenglong with SP-3: ST-40 transforms phlegm, clears worry-heat and calms Shen but drains a weak Spleen; pair with SP-3 Taibai or Ren-4/Ren-6/Ren-12. (Yuen)
- SP-6 / Ren-6 / Ren-4: Moxa on these to build spleen blood for low hematocrit. (Yuen)
- 2nd month: HT-6, Ren-15 (Gao), Ren-6 (Huang), BL-43, SP-8: Month 2: HT-6; Ren-15 (Gao), Ren-6 (Huang), BL-43 releases scapular heat, SP-8 governs the Bao; herbs Huang Lian, Qian Shi, Tu Si Zi, Xu Duan. (Lewis)
- Full-body protocol: ST-36 to ST-40/42, SP-6/7/8, LV-3, LI-4, ST-25, Ren-12, Ren-6, Ren-17: Earth School 'treat the center' approach; feel ST-36 qi descend to ST-40/42. (Alexander)
- Kidney qi: KI-12 to KI-14, KI-19, KI-27, Ren-4, Ren-6, Du points: Tonify kidney qi in cancer via Chong/Ren points KI-13, KI-14, KI-19, KI-27, Ren-4, Ren-6; enzyme protocols (Gerson, Kelley) fail when kidneys are weak. (Yuen)
- Dai Mai for diabetes: Opening the Dai reduces visceral fat and accesses the pancreas (LV-13, GB-26–28); Li Shizhen: moxa Ren-6, then GB-26, and Du-20 to raise yang. (Rabinowitz)