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Ri Yue: TCM Acupoint Guide

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

Ri Yue (Riyue)

Location

Directly below the nipple, in the seventh intercostal space, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline, on the mammillary line, one rib below LIV-14 Qimen. To locate it, first find the second intercostal space just below the sternal angle, then count down five spaces. In males the nipple lies in the fourth intercostal space.

Needling

  • Puncture obliquely 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
  • Moxibustion is applicable.
  • Slanted insertion, 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Transverse-oblique insertion along the intercostal space 0.5 to 1 cun.
  • Caution: deep or perpendicular insertion may cause a pneumothorax.

Command Functions

  • Front-Mu point of the Gall Bladder
  • Meeting point with the Spleen and Yang Wei channels

Actions

  • Resolves Damp-Heat
  • Promotes the functions of the Gall Bladder and Liver
  • Benefits the Gall Bladder
  • Spreads Liver Qi
  • Lowers Rebellious Qi
  • Harmonizes the Middle Jiao

Indications

  • Jaundice
  • Hypochondriac pain and distention
  • A feeling of heaviness
  • Nausea
  • A sticky yellow tongue coat
  • Gall stones
  • Acute diseases of the biliary tract
  • Gastric and duodenal ulcers
  • Shoulder pain
  • Intercostal pain
  • Intercostal neuralgia
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Sighing
  • Fatigued extremities
  • Distention, fullness and pain of the lateral costal region
  • Epigastric pain
  • Abdominal distention
  • Heat of the hypogastrium
  • Vomiting
  • Acid regurgitation
  • Hiccup
  • Mastitis
  • Pain in the ribs and sides
  • Pain in the chest and hypochondrium
  • Acute and chronic hepatitis
  • Cholecystitis
  • Oppression and anguish
  • Frequent sighing and groaning
  • Speaks indistinctly
  • Paralysis of the four limbs
  • Sensation of Heat in the lower abdomen
  • Much spittle
  • Sighing with a tendency to sadness
  • Loss of the use of the four limbs

Combinations

PointsIndications
GB-34 Yanglingquan, LI-11 QuchiResolves Damp-Heat
UB-19 DanshuFrequent indecisiveness with a bitter taste in the mouth
SP-5 ShangqiuSighing with a propensity to sadness
HT-1 Jiquan, UB-20 PishuLoss of the use of the four limbs
ST-19 Burong, M-LE-23 Dannangxue, SJ-6 Zhigou, GB-40 QiuxuCholecystitis

Notes

This is an important point to resolve Damp-Heat affecting the Gall Bladder and Liver.

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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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