This point is an important focus in some Daoist meditation techniques. It is the yin extremity of the circuit of qi sometimes known as the ‘small circulation’ or the ‘micro-cosmic’ orbit. This circuit travels up the Du channel through Du 20 and down the Ren channel. Ren 1 is the most yin point on the body, lying in a dark and hidden location. Du 20, which lies opposite it on the head, at its uppermost pole, is the most yang. Because of its location, this point is underused. It is the meeting point of yin qi in the body. One of its alternative names is ‘Seabed’, which both alludes to its position at the bottom of the torso and also to its extreme yin nature (Hicks, 1999, p. 50).

This is a powerful point to invoke change when treatment on the 12 channels is failing to strengthen the patient. This point calms and anchors the spirit. It can be used to treat the spirit when people are struggling to cope or they have reached breaking point.

This is the Entry point for the Ren mai and is used when the practitioner is treating a Ren/Du block (see Chapter 33 for discussion of this treatment).

In ancient texts about sexual cultivation, with which there is a good deal of overlap with Chinese medicine, the zhong ji is the name given to the centre of qi in this area. It is also an old name for the uterus (Lo, 2001, p. 45). This point is mainly used to treat both chronic and acute problems of the bladder. It is also a re-union point that connects to the Liver, Spleen and Kidney channels. It can be used to treat problems in the Lower Burner, especially when any of these three Organs are implicated.

This point is a gate to the yuan qi. It can therefore be used to enhance this fundamental form of qi. It affects the qi of the Kidneys (see Chapter 12, this volume, for discussion about the qi between the two Kidneys) and enhances the lower dan tian, which is also referred to as the cinnabar field. Cinnabar is a mineral thought to have a near perfect balance of yin and yang. It was highly prized by Daoist alchemists. Ren 4, 5 and 6 are all points in the ‘cinnabar field’. By focusing on this area practitioners of qi gong transform, root and store yuan qi. (For more about the cinnabar field, see Lade, 1989, p. 255.)

Moxibustion is often used on this point if the uterus is cold and a woman is experiencing menstrual or fertility problems. It is sometimes used for male impotence or problems with the sperm. It can also be tonified to ‘anchor’ the spirit if a patient is anxious or restless. It is also a re-union point of the Liver, Spleen and Kidney channels, so it is used to affect these Organs, especially when they are causing symptoms in the Lower Burner.

The name Shi Men translates as a ‘stone woman’, which is a barren woman. Some texts warn practitioners that needling this point can make a woman infertile.

This is the front mu or alarm point of the Triple Burner and it is used to affect the qi of the Triple Burner. Like Ren 4, it is also a part of the cinnabar field. Because of its location and its link with the Triple Burner, it particularly affects the yuan qi. Like Ren 4, this is a ‘gate’ of qi and it is a powerful point for reviving a person who has become depleted in vitality of body and/or spirit. Moxibustion is commonly used if this area is cold.

This point is a major energy centre and like Ren 4 and 5 it affects the lower dan tian and the cinnabar field. This is one of the most powerful points for affecting the Kidney qi and thereby a person’s deepest vitality. Moxibustion is commonly used if this area is cold.

This is a re-union point for the Triple Burner, Pericardium and Kidney. It is occasionally used to treat problems due to imbalances in temperature or fluid in the Lower Burner. It is a less commonly used point for treating the lower dan tian than the above points.

This point lies on the navel and it is here that qi enters an embryo. This point was consequently regarded as a vital gate into the body. Some early Daoists considered the navel to be the seat of the Tai yi, the Supreme Unity; thus, this point has a strong connection to the spirit. This is a powerful point for building up a patient who is exhausted and worn out at a deep level and lacks vitality in the spirit. Only moxibustion can be used on this point and the moxa is placed on a bed of salt.