ACUPUNCTURE
Li Dui: TCM Acupoint Guide
Name
Li Dui (Lidui)
Location
On the dorsal aspect of the second toe, approximately 0.1 cun from the lateral corner of the nail, at the junction of the lines drawn along the lateral border of the nail and the base of the nail.
Needling
- Perpendicular or oblique insertion directed proximally, 0.1 to 0.2 cun, or prick to bleed.
- Straight insertion, 0.1 to 0.3 cun.
- Puncture subcutaneously, 0.1 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Jing-well point
- Metal point
- Sedation point
Actions
- Clears Heat from the Stomach channel
- Clears Heat
- Calms the Shen
- Restores consciousness
- Brightens the eyes
- Clears the Heart
- Relieves Food Retention
Indications
- Swelling of the face
- Heat in the head
- Epistaxis
- Yellow nasal discharge
- Rhinitis with nosebleed
- Toothache
- Lockjaw
- Throat Bi
- Cracked lips
- Deviation of the mouth
- Sensation of Cold in the shin
- Cold of the lower limbs and feet
- Swelling and pain of the knee
- Withdrawal
- Psychosis
- Resuscitation
- Gingivitis
- Tonsillitis
- Hepatitis
- Indigestion
- Abdominal Heat
- Epigastric pain
- Sore throat
- Hoarse voice
- Inguinal neuralgia
- Tetany
- Periorbital furuncle
- Gonad pain
- Pain in the buttocks
- Bulimia
- Fullness and distention of the chest and abdomen
- Excessive hunger
- Anorexia
- Inversion counterflow
- Malaria
- Febrile disease with absence of sweat
- Yellow urine
- Jaundice
- Loss of consciousness
- Excessive dreaming
- Easily frightened with a desire to sleep
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Mania-depression
- Desires to ascend to high places and sing
- Discards clothing and runs around
- Ischemia of the brain
- Neurasthenia
- Hysteria
- Depression
- Disorientation
- Deviation of the mouth
- Hangover
- Liver abscess
- Cerebral anemia
- Bell's palsy
- Agitation
- Cervical adenopathy
- Pain in the chest and breast
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| ST-42 Chongyang, ST-40 Fenglong, ST-25 Tianshu, ST-43 Xiangu | Facial swelling |
| SP-1 Yinbai | Nightmares |
| LIV-1 Dadun or KI-3 Taixi, KI-6 Zhaohai, DU-20 Baihui, GB-21 Jianjing, LI-2 Erjian, LI-3 Sanjian, UB-18 Ganshu | Somnolence |
| LI-3 Sanjian, SJ-8 Sanyangluo, SJ-10 Tianjing, LIV-10 Zuwuli | Somnolence with no desire to move the four limbs |
| LI-2 Erjian, HT-6 Yinxi, PC-5 Jianshi | Excessive fright |
| LIV-3 Taichong, GB-31 Fengshi | Weakness of the legs, moxa all points |
Contraindications
Forbidden during the sixth month of pregnancy.
Notes
The primary functions of this point are to clear Heat in the Stomach channel and to clear Heat and calm the Shen. Probably the best point for insomnia. Use with direct moxa for Heart Fire.
Sources and further reading
We cite classical materia medica and modern reference works. This article is health education, not medical advice.
- Shennong Bencao Jing (The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica), Han dynasty.
- Bencao Gangmu (Compendium of Materia Medica), Li Shizhen, 1578.
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia, current edition — identity, quality and safety monographs.
- NCCIH and WHO reference material on traditional medicine safety.
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