ACUPUNCTURE
Zan Zhu: TCM Acupoint Guide
ZANZHU
Name
Zan Zhu (Zanzhu)
Location
On the medial extremity of the eyebrow, at the supraorbital notch, in the depression directly above UB-1 Jingming. Note: palpate laterally along the eyebrow from its medial end and feel for the hollow directly above UB-1 Jingming; this point is often tender on palpation.
Needling
- For headache or facial paralysis, insert transversely and joined to M-HN-6 Yuyao, 1 to 1.5 cun. Sensation: distention and pain locally and around the eye.
- For eye diseases, transverse-oblique insertion inferiorly towards UB-1 Jingming, 0.5 to 1 cun. Sensation: distention and pain locally and around the eye.
- For supraorbital neuralgia, insert the needle transversely towards the inner canthus, 0.5 cun. Sensation: possibly an electric, numb sensation extending toward the neck.
- Transverse lateral insertion to join with M-HN-6 Yuyao, for supraorbital pain.
- Prick to bleed for Heat disorders.
- Straight insertion, 0.3 to 0.5 cun. Sensation: local distention.
- Puncture subcutaneously, 0.3 to 0.5 cun, or prick with a three-edged needle to cause bleeding.
Command Functions
- Secondary entry point
Actions
- Expels Wind
- Clears Heat
- Clears the head
- Brightens the eyes
- Soothes the Liver
- Removes obstructions from the channel
- Stops pain
- Hay fever point
- Clears the nose
- Strengthens the back
Indications
- Hay fever
- Sinus problems
- Disorders of the eyes
- Disorders of vision
- Vertigo
- Tearing on exposure to Wind
- Pain and stiffness of the eye
- Pain in the cheek
- Delirium
- Twitching of the eyelids
- Glaucoma
- Keratoleukoma
- Head Wind
- Dizziness
- Epistaxis
- Rhinitis
- Sneezing
- Incessant sneezing
- Facial pain
- Red face with cheek pain
- Hemorrhoid pain
- Manic behavior
- Loss of consciousness
- One-sided headache
- Cold and Hot headaches
- Insanity
- Hysteria with vision loss
- Optic nerve atrophy
- Hyperthyroidism with protruding eyes
- Inflammation of the back
- Paralysis of the back
- Pain in the superciliary ridge
- Acute conjunctivitis
- Eye dizziness
- Eyelids move incessantly preventing sleep
- White membrane covering the corner of the conjunctiva
- Madness
- Torticollis
- Cephalic congestion in children
- Facial paralysis
- Facial tics
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Floaters
- Red eyes
- Blurred vision
- Persistent headaches around or behind the eyes
- Headache
- Failing vision
- Pain of the supraorbital region
- Blurred vision with dizziness
- Frontal headache
- Dimness of vision
- Visual dizziness
- Night blindness
- Redness, swelling and pain of the eye
- Itching of the eyes
- Infantile epilepsy with upward staring of the eyes
- Bursting sensation of the eye
- Pain and stiffness of the neck
- Headache following alcohol intoxication
- Myopia
- Infantile convulsions
- Color blindness
- Acute lower back injuries with muscular spasm
- Motor impairment of the back
- Frontal sinusitis
- Pain between the eyebrows
- Pain in the forehead
- Headache around the eyebrows
- Eyeball pain
- Inability to open the eyes wide
- Eyebrow inflammation
- Cadaveric syncope
- Cerebral hemorrhage
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| UB-6 Chengguang, UB-23 Shenshu, SJ-18 Qimai, SJ-23 Sizhukong, SJ-22 Erheliao | Wind headache |
| ST-8 Touwei | Headache with eye pain, pain between the eyebrows, twitching of the eyelids, painful eyes |
| DU-20 Baihui, DU-21 Qianding, DU-24 Shenting, DU-25 Shangxing, SJ-23 Sizhukong, GB-20 Fengchi, LI-4 Hegu, ST-8 Touwei | One-sided or generalized head Wind |
| M-HN-3 Yintang, ST-36 Zusanli | Head Wind following intoxication |
| UB-12 Fengmen, DU-24 Shenting, LI-4 Hegu, LI-20 Yingxiang, UB-67 Zhiyin, KI-20 Futonggu | Rhinitis with clear nasal discharge |
| Joined to M-HN-6 Yuyao, GB-20 Fengchi, LI-4 Hegu | Frontal headache |
| M-HN-9 Taiyang, GB-20 Fengchi, LI-4 Hegu | Acute conjunctivitis |
| ST-2 Sibai, REN-24 Chengjiang | Facial muscle spasms |
| M-HN-7 Yuwei, LI-14 Binao | Sore eyes |
| M-HN-13 Yiming, UB-1 Jingming, ST-36 Zusanli | Opacity of the vitreous body |
Contraindications
According to several classical texts, moxibustion is contraindicated.
Notes
An important local point for the eyes. You can bleed this point for inflamed eyes, and it can be used for cerebral congestion.
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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