ACUPUNCTURE
Zhao Hai: TCM Acupoint Guide
ZHAOHAI
Name
Zhao Hai (Zhaohai)
Location
1 cun below the prominence of the medial malleolus, in the groove formed by two ligament bundles, between the tibialis posterior tendon anteriorly and the flexor digitorum longus tendon posteriorly. These tendons may be highlighted by flexing and inverting the foot.
Needling
- Oblique insertion directed superiorly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Straight insertion 0.5 to 1 cun, causing soreness and numbness extending toward the calf and ankle.
- Puncture perpendicularly 0.3 to 0.5 cun.
- Moxibustion is applicable.
Command Functions
- Master (Confluent) point of the Yin Qiao (Motility) vessel
- Luo-connecting point of the Yin Qiao vessel
- Couple point of the REN channel
Actions
- Benefits the throat
- Nourishes the Kidneys
- Clears Deficiency Heat
- Regulates the Yin Qiao vessel
- Calms the Shen
- Regulates the Lower Jiao
- Cools Heat
- Tonifies Kidney Yin
- Promotes the function of the uterus
- Benefits the eyes
- Cools the Blood
- Opens the chest
Indications
- Swelling and pain of the throat with difficulty in swallowing
- Plum pit Qi Stagnation (globus hystericus)
- Dry throat
- Redness and pain of the eyes originating at the inner canthus
- Vision disturbed by seeing spots or stars
- Head Wind
- Dizziness
- Irregular menstruation
- Amenorrhea
- Dysmenorrhea
- Chronic Cold of the uterus leading to infertility
- Difficult labor
- Persistent flow of lochia
- Postpartum dizziness
- Postpartum pain in the umbilical region
- Red and white leukorrhea
- Uterine prolapse
- Tightness and contraction of the inner aspect of the leg
- Weariness or pain in the four limbs
- Cold-Damp leg qi
- Deficiency in the elderly
- Cramps of the feet and hands
- Dry pharynx
- Pharyngitis
- Tonsillitis
- Pruritis vulvae
- Seizures
- Psychosis
- Mental disorder
- Madness
- Eye pain
- Pain and swelling of the scrotum
- Swelling of the four limbs
- Blurred vision
- Inability to keep the eyes open
- Dry cough
- Stinging urine
- Bee and wasp stings of the tongue or throat
- Hemorrhage
- Insomnia
- Somnolence
- Night-time epilepsy
- Sadness
- Fright
- Nightmares
- Five sole heat with agitation
- Frequent urination
- Enuresis
- Dribbling urination in women
- Blood Lin
- Edema
- Constipation
- Itching of the genitals
- Sudden involuntary erection
- Seminal emission
- Shan disorder
- Hypogastric pain
- Hot or Cold sensations in the lower abdomen
- Sudden turmoil disorder
- Distention and fullness of the chest and abdomen
- Oppressive sensation of the body
- Hemiplegia
- Acute severe sore throat
- Pinkish vaginal discharge mixed with white matter
- Gonorrhea
- Urinary retention
- Sudden hernia
- Excessive erection
- Intestinal tuberculosis
- Neurasthenia
- Chronic malaria
- Unilateral lower abdominal pain in women
- Menopausal syndrome with Heat
- Asthma
- Cough with excess sputum
- Vomiting
- Dry eyes
- Colic
Combinations
| Points | Indications |
|---|---|
| DU-20 Baihui (needle first), LIV-3 Taichong, SP-6 Sanyinjiao | Most types of acute throat pain |
| SI-2 Qiangu, LIV-4 Zhongfeng | Swelling of the throat with inability to swallow |
| UB-62 Shenmai | Night-time epilepsy and diseases below the ankle |
| KI-3 Taixi, DU-20 Baihui, GB-21 Jianjing, LI-2 Erjian, LI-3 Sanjian, ST-45 Lidui, UB-18 Ganshu | Somnolence |
| UB-62 Shenmai, KI-5 Shuiquan, LIV-8 Ququan, or HT-8 Shaofu, LIV-3 Taichong, LIV-8 Ququan, or LIV-1 Dadun | Uterine prolapse |
| SP-3 Taibai, LIV-13 Zhangmen, or SJ-6 Zhigou, or SP-3 Taibai, LIV-13 Zhangmen, SJ-6 Zhigou | Constipation |
| LIV-1 Dadun | Cold Shan disorder |
| SP-6 Sanyinjiao, LIV-8 Ququan | Lower abdominal pain from the seven kinds of Shan disorder |
| GB-25 Jingmen | Dark urine and obstruction of the water pathway |
| KI-3 Taixi, REN-4 Guanyuan, UB-40 Weizhong | Heat sensations and pain in the hypogastrium |
| LU-7 Lieque | Benefits the throat |
| REN-14 Juque, PC-6 Neiguan, ST-40 Fenglong | Seizures |
| SJ-5 Waiguan | Retained placenta |
| PC-6 Neiguan | Opens the chest for chest pain |
Notes
This is the best point on the Kidney channel to nourish Kidney Yin. This is the main distal point to treat sore throat with a lingering nature that worsens in the evening with tiredness. This is known as the "joyous sleep" point. This point is traditionally used for emergency throat problems (immediately apply pressure). Use this point when there is an Excess or Deficiency of any secretions. This point releases sex hormones.
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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