ACUPUNCTURE
Ran Gu: TCM Acupoint Guide
RANGU
Name
Ran Gu (Rangu)
Location
On the medial side of the foot, distal and inferior to the medial malleolus, in the depression distal and inferior to the navicular tuberosity.
Needling
- Straight insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: distention and soreness possibly extending to the sole of the foot.
- Perpendicular insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
- Puncture perpendicularly, 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Ying-spring point
- Fire point
- Beginning point of the Yin Qiao channel, according to some sources
- Secondary sedation point
Actions
- Cools the Blood
- Pacifies Fire
- Clears Deficiency Heat
- Regulates the Kidneys
- Regulates the Lower Jiao
- Invigorates the Yin Qiao channel
- Eliminates Fire from the throat
Indications
- Swelling in the throat
- Dysphagia
- Propensity to fear and fright
- Suffocation
- Swelling of the ankle
- Shan disorder
- Lower abdominal swelling
- Chest oppression
- Throat affliction
- Coughing
- Lassitude of the legs
- Urinary problems
- Inability to stand
- Sensation of Cold in one leg and Heat in the other
- Nervousness
- Perspires easily
- Thirst
- Epigastric pain
- Diarrhea
- Blood Stagnation in the abdomen
- Spermatorrhea
- Infertility
- Uterine prolapse
- Irregular menstruation
- Eating up of the genital region
- Tetany in the newborn
- Prostate problems
- Itching of the genitals
- Nocturnal emissions
- Seminal emissions
- Impotence
- Difficult urination
- Cold or Damp diarrhea
- Pain of the lower legs which prevents standing for long
- Pain and swelling of the instep
- Restless feet
- Malar flush
- Feeling Heat in the head in the evening
- Mental restlessness
- Thirst with no desire to drink
- Dry throat and mouth at night
- Pruritus vulvae
- Acute infantile omphalitis
- Spitting Blood
- Trismus in nursing infants
- Congestion of Blood in the uterus
- Abdominal distention
- Inflammation of the scrotum
- Night sweats but Cold
- Urethritis
- Rigidity
- Difficult movement
- Painful articulations, especially spinal pain
- Very hot and sweaty feet
- Polyuria
- Dehydration
- Coldness
- No moisture on the feet
- Never perspires
- Edema
- Great swelling of the ankles
- Burning diarrhea with the whole anus inflamed
- Defecating five to six times a day, often accompanied by a high fever
- Constipation
- Cystitis
- Painful eyes
- Red eyes
- Frigidity
- Jerky movements
- Paralysis
- Inability to speak
- Throat Bi
- Insufficient saliva to moisten the throat
- Spontaneous sweating
- Diminished Qi
- Hemoptysis
- Wasting and thirsting disorder
- Jaundice
- Protrusion of the tongue
- Fearful as if about to be apprehended
- Stabbing Heart pain
- Pharyngitis
- Diabetes
- Tetanus
- Congested throat
- Thirst and emaciation
- Diarrhea with intestinal pain and noises
- Tidal fevers
- Syrupy, painful urinary dysfunction
- Dysenteric disorders
- Clenched jaws
- Pain and swelling of the dorsal aspect of the foot
- Acute diarrhea
- White vaginal discharge
- Urinary incontinence
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| KI-3 Taixi | Swelling of the inside of the throat; febrile disease with agitation, cold feet and profuse perspiration (first needle KI-2 Rangu, then KI-3 Taixi) |
| KI-1 Yongquan | Throat Bi with chills and fever |
| REN-22 Tiantu, HT-4 Lingdao, KI-10 Yingu, KI-7 Fuliu, ST-40 Fenglong | Loss of voice |
| KI-10 Yingu, DU-15 Yamen, LU-11 Shaoshang, LU-10 Yuji, LI-2 Erjian, PC-9 Zhongchong | Stiffness of the tongue |
| KI-7 Fuliu | Drooling |
| UB-49 Yishe, SJ-1 Guanchong, or UB-49 Yishe, REN-24 Chengjiang, SJ-1 Guanchong | Wasting and thirsting disorder with great thirst |
| REN-24 Chengjiang, M-HN-20 Jinjin-Yuye, DU-26 Renzhong, REN-23 Lianquan, LI-11 Quchi, PC-9 Laogong, LIV-3 Taichong, LIV-2 Xingjian, SP-5 Shangqiu, SP-1 Yinbai | Wasting and thirsting disorder |
| SJ-6 Zhigou, KI-3 Taixi | Stabbing Heart pain |
| GB-34 Yanglingquan | Apprehension and fear as if about to be apprehended |
| ST-30 Qichong, KI-14 Siman, LIV-13 Zhangmen | Moxa for stone edema of the upper abdomen |
| KI-12 Dahe | Seminal emission, retraction of the penis, impotence |
| DU-4 Mingmen, UB-23 Shenshu, REN-6 Qihai | Impotence |
| GB-25 Jingmen, SP-9 Yinlingquan | Cold or Damp diarrhea with undigested food |
| UB-23 Shenshu, UB-64 Jinggu | Cold lower extremities |
| LIV-3 Taichong joined to KI-1 Yongquan | Pain of the toes |
| LU-10 Yuji | Clears Empty Heat from the Lungs |
| HT-6 Yinxi | Clears Empty Heat from the Heart |
Contraindications
Some sources say that it is forbidden to bleed this point. Some sources say that this point is forbidden to needle after the eighth month of pregnancy.
Notes
Some sources say that if the point is sore on palpation, the prostate is involved. For emergency use after being kicked in the testicles, stimulate the needle for three minutes bilaterally. This is considered a calming point. It has a hormonal effect on the ovaries. It is the principal point to clear Heat arising from Kidney Yin Deficiency. Moxa may be used for spontaneous sweating, cold feet and legs, cold diarrhea, edema and impotence.
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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