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ACUPUNCTURE

Nao Hu: TCM Acupoint Guide

NAOHU
By the TCMHH editorial team Not medically reviewed How we work Updated 6 Oct 2026
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Name

Nao Hu (Naohu)

Location

At the back of the head on the midline, 1.5 cun directly above DU-16 Fengfu, in the depression on the upper border of the external occipital protuberance, 2.5 cun above the midpoint of the posterior hairline.

Needling

  • Transverse insertion superiorly or inferiorly 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Slanted insertion 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Use moxibustion with caution.
  • Puncture subcutaneously 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.

Command Functions

  • Meeting point with the Urinary Bladder channel

Actions

  • Eliminates Wind
  • Alleviates pain
  • Benefits the eyes
  • Benefits the brain
  • Clears the mind
  • Calms the Shen

Indications

  • Heaviness of the head
  • Head Wind
  • Aversion to wind in the head
  • Wind dizziness
  • Swelling and pain of the head
  • Pain of the face
  • Red face
  • Stiffness and pain of the neck
  • Goiter
  • Chills and fever
  • Sweating
  • Pain of the bones
  • Insomnia
  • Collapsing syndrome
  • Mania
  • Vertigo
  • Lassitude and heaviness of the lower extremities due to Deficiency
  • Pale face
  • Cervical adenopathy
  • Dimness of vision
  • Near-sightedness
  • Eye pain
  • Excessive lacrimation
  • Yellow eyes
  • Jaundice
  • Epilepsy
  • Clonic spasm
  • Lockjaw
  • Loss of voice
  • Bleeding from the root of the tongue
  • Seizures
  • Occipital headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Tinnitus
  • Windstroke
  • Severe giddiness
  • Pain in the mouth

Combinations

PointsIndications
UB-7 Tongtian, GB-19 NaokongPain and heaviness of the head
UB-19 Danshu, UB-49 Yishe, UB-48 YanggangYellow eyes
UB-9 Yuzhen, GB-20 Fengchi, DU-16 Fengfu, DU-23 ShangxingPain of the eyes with inability to see
UB-8 Luoque, KI-9 Zhubin, SI-5 Yanggu, DU-19 Houding, DU-18 Qiangjian, UB-9 YuzhenMadness with vomiting

Contraindications

According to several classical texts, moxibustion and needling are both contraindicated for this point. It is said that if you needle too deeply, you can kill the patient. It is said that if you moxa this point, the patient can become dumb.

Notes

This point is used mostly to subdue Interior Wind affecting the brain.

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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.

Spotted an error or a better source? Tell us — corrections are logged on our editorial policy page.

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