ACUPUNCTURE
Qi Hai: TCM Acupoint Guide
QIHAI
Name
Qi Hai (Qihai)
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.
- 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.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.8 to 1.2 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
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
- Zang Deficiency with Qi exhaustion
- Yuan Qi Deficiency
- Sudden collapse of Yang
- Slow and minute pulse
- Yin Deficiency with sudden collapse of Yang
- Loss of consciousness from Windstroke
- All kinds of chronic Qi diseases that do not respond to treatment
- Emaciation of the muscles and body
- Feebleness and weakness of the muscles
- Failure of the fontanel to close in babies
- Upward attack of the qi of the five Zang
- Uterine bleeding
- Persistent flow of lochia
- Postpartum bleeding
- Irregular menstruation
- Dysmenorrhea
- Red and white vaginal discharge
- Infertility
- Constipation
- Dyspnea
- Edema
- Shortness of breath
- Weakness of the four limbs
- Excessive uterine bleeding
- Atony of the bladder sphincter
- Flaccid Windstroke
- Abandoned stroke
- Abdominal pain
- Severe abdominal pain
- Enterorrhagia
- Intestinal disorders
- Sudden abdominal distention with dyspnea
- General fatigue
- Fright and fear with inability to lie down
- Nervous depression
- Heart exhaustion
- Slipped disc
- Appendicitis
- Chronic appendicitis
- Polyuria
- The five types of Lin, painful urinary dysfunction
- Duodenal ulcer
- Vomiting all that one eats
- Problems due to Blood clots
- Profuse perspiration
- Dyspnea and pulmonary problems
- Sudden pain below the Heart
- Emaciation in women
- Asthma
- Chilliness
- Profuse clear urination
- The feeling that everything is an effort
- Lower Jiao wasting and thirsting
- Menopausal syndrome
- Forgetfulness
- Stomach ache
- Lochioschesis
- Cold-predominant Bi
- Vaginal prolapse
- Gastric prolapse
- Headache due to Kidney Qi Deficiency
- Lack of coordination
- Nagging heaviness
- Impure thoughts
- Acne
- Impotence
- Seminal emission
- Nocturnal emission
- Uterine prolapse
- Rectal prolapse
- Deficiency and Cold of the Lower Jiao
- Inversion counterflow of the four limbs
- Cold illness with a dark face
- Diarrhea
- Dysenteric disorder
- White and turbid urine
- Hesitant urination
- Childhood enuresis
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary incontinence in children
- The seven kinds of Shan, hernia, disorder
- Twisting pain of the umbilicus
- Abdominal masses
- Abdominal distention and swelling
- Pain and Cold sensations below the umbilicus
- Retraction of the testicles
- Retraction of the penis
- Upward staring eyes
- Sudden pain of the Heart
- Lumbar pain
- Epigastric pain
- Red face
- Dark, yellow urine
- Metritis
- Lower abdominal pain
- Colic
- Hard lumps in the lower abdomen
- Asthenia
- Psychopathy
- Insomnia
- Sun stroke
- Coma
- Kidney pain in women
- Intestinal paralysis
- Male urinary problems
- Nephritis
- Underdevelopment in children
- Yin symptoms with a red face
- Syncope because the lower energy cannot rise to the top of the body
- Running piglet Qi
- Problems during menstruation occurring after coitus
- Neurasthenia
- Loose stools
- Lack of willpower
- Loose stools with mucus
- Restless fetus disorder due to Deficiency
- Hypertension due to Yang Deficiency
- Anxiety and palpitations due to Qi and Blood Deficiency
- Scrotal pain or inflammation
- Shock
- Prolapse of the Bladder
- Intestinal prolapse
- Upper urinary tract stones
- Cannot digest food
- Hypotension
- Fear
- Isolation
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| REN-21 Xuanji | Distressed, rapid dyspnea |
| DU-4 Mingmen, UB-23 Shenshu, KI-2 Rangu | Impotence |
| SP-6 Sanyinjiao | White turbidity, chronic seminal emission, postpartum Blood clot pain |
| SP-6 Sanyinjiao, ST-27 Daju | Palpitations and insomnia |
| REN-3 Zhongji, GB-26 Daimai, UB-23 Shenshu, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Irregular menstruation |
| UB-27 Xiaochangshu | Dysmenorrhea |
| REN-4 Guanyuan, PC-5 Jianshi, UB-30 Baihuanshu, GB-26 Daimai, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Red and white vaginal discharge |
| PC-6 Neiguan, ST-25 Tianshu, ST-44 Neiting, SP-1 Yinbai, KI-6 Zhaohai | Bloody dysenteric disorder |
| REN-12 Zhongwan, ST-36 Zusanli | Hemafecia |
| REN-4 Guanyuan, UB-54 Zhibian, UB-48 Yanggang | Red and hesitant urinary flow |
| REN-4 Guanyuan, KI-3 Taixi, KI-10 Yingu, UB-23 Shenshu, UB-28 Pangguangshu | Dark urine |
| SP-6 Sanyinjiao, SP-9 Yinlingquan, KI-10 Yingu, PC-7 Daling | Obstructed urination |
| LIV-1 Dadun or SP-10 Xuehai | The five types of painful urinary dysfunction |
| REN-9 Shuifen, REN-8 Shenque | Periumbilical pain |
| REN-3 Zhongji, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Dysmenorrhea |
| REN-4 Guanyuan, DU-2 Yaoshu | Incontinence |
| UB-40 Weizhong | Qi Deficiency |
| GB-34 Yanglingquan | 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, the Cinnabar Field. It is used when a person is bogged down in negativity and has given up on life. One of the most important points for tonification, and a major point for reinforcing the Kidneys, especially Kidney Yang. This point is the center of energy for the whole body. Moxibustion is used most often here.
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.
Did this article help you?
Your answer shapes what gets rewritten next.
Keep readingRelated entries
Zhi Tan: TCM Acupoint Guide
Zhi Tan (Zhitan) is in the hollow below the acromial end of the clavicle. Needling: straight insertion, 2 to 3 cun. Indications: hemiplegia due to stroke.
Huo Rou Men: TCM Acupoint Guide
Huo Rou Men (Huoroumen) is 2 cun lateral to the midline and 1 cun superior to the umbilicus, level with REN-9 Shuifen. Caution: in thin patients, deep.
Tian Shu: TCM Acupoint Guide
Tian Shu (Tianshu). On the abdomen, 2 cun lateral to the umbilicus. Note: the 2 cun line on the abdomen is located halfway between the umbilicus and the.
Zhi Xie: TCM Acupoint Guide
Zhi Xie (Zhixie) is 2.5 cun below the navel, on the midline of the abdomen. Needling: straight insertion, 1 to 1.5 cun. Indications: enteritis, round worms.
Something this article did not cover?
Ask us directly. We reply within two days, and good questions become public articles.
Ask a question →