DU20 Baihui

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

DU20 (Baihui, “Baihui”) is the Sea of Marrow point of the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the midline of the head, 1.5 cun posterior to the point Qianding (DU21), at the center of the vertex. This point is often found in a slight depression within the hair whorl, at the intersection of the midline and a line connecting the apexes of the two ears. It pacifies wind, calms the spirit, raises yang qi, clears the senses, benefits the brain, and treats a wide range of disorders.

Location

On the midline of the head, 1.5 cun posterior to the point Qianding (DU21), at the center of the vertex. This point is often found in a slight depression within the hair whorl, at the intersection of the midline and a line connecting the apexes of the two ears.

Needling

Subcutaneous (transverse) insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun, often directed anteriorly or posteriorly depending on the desired effect.

D
o
n
o
t
o
v
e
r
-
m
o
x
i
b
u
s
t
;
t
h
e
s
k
i
n
o
n
t
h
e
v
e
r
t
e
x
i
s
t
h
i
n
(
Z
i
S
h
e
n
g
J
i
n
g
)
.
I
n
i
n
f
a
n
t
s
w
h
o
s
e
f
o
n
t
a
n
e
l
h
a
s
n
o
t
y
e
t
c
l
o
s
e
d
,
n
e
e
d
l
i
n
g
i
s
c
o
n
t
r
a
i
n
d
i
c
a
t
e
d
(
Z
i
S
h
e
n
g
J
i
n
g
)
.

TCM functions

Pacifies wind, calms the spirit, raises yang qi, clears the senses, benefits the brain, and treats a wide range of disorders..

Indications

Head wind, headache, vertex pain, wind dizziness, vertigo, heaviness of the head, eye pain as if the eye is coming out, inability to look left or right, stroke with slurred speech, lockjaw, hemiplegia, half-body not used, vexation and oppression of the heart, fright palpitations, poor memory, forgetfulness, mental confusion, lack of heart strength, epilepsy, wind epilepsy, infantile convulsions, opisthotonos, foaming at the mouth, sheep-like bleating, frequent crying, indiscriminate speech, sudden death-like collapse (shi jue), mania, manic walking, seeing ghosts, prolapse of the rectum, malaria, stuffy nose, loss of taste, red face after drinking alcohol, deafness, tinnitus, not recognizing people, sudden collapse from wind..

Sea of MarrowGhost Point (Sun Si-miao)

Clinical notes

As the highest point on the body and the meeting point of all yang channels, Baihui is a supreme point for raising clear yang, pacifying internal wind, and calming the spirit. It is essential for treating conditions affecting the head and brain, such as headache, dizziness, stroke, and epilepsy. Its ability to lift yang makes it a primary point for all types of prolapse, while its action on the spirit addresses memory loss, palpitations, and psycho-emotional disorders. The classics emphasize its broad application, stating it can treat 'all the hundred diseases.'

On the Governing Vessel channel

DU20 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:

Frequently asked questions

Where is DU20 located?

DU20 (Baihui) is located on the midline of the head, 1.5 cun posterior to the point Qianding (DU21), at the center of the vertex. This point is often found in a slight depression within the hair whorl, at the intersection of the midline and a line connecting the apexes of the two ears.

What is DU20 used for?

DU20 pacifies wind, calms the spirit, raises yang qi, clears the senses, benefits the brain, and treats a wide range of disorders. Common clinical indications include head wind, headache, vertex pain, wind dizziness, vertigo, heaviness of the head, eye pain as if the eye is coming out, inability to look left or right, stroke with slurred speech, lockjaw, hemiplegia, half-body not used, vexation and oppression of the heart, fright palpitations, poor memory, forgetfulness, mental confusion, lack of heart strength, epilepsy, wind epilepsy, infantile convulsions, opisthotonos, foaming at the mouth, sheep-like bleating, frequent crying, indiscriminate speech, sudden death-like collapse (shi jue), mania, manic walking, seeing ghosts, prolapse of the rectum, malaria, stuffy nose, loss of taste, red face after drinking alcohol, deafness, tinnitus, not recognizing people, sudden collapse from wind.

How is DU20 needled?

Subcutaneous (transverse) insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun, often directed anteriorly or posteriorly depending on the desired effect. Caution: Do not over-moxibust; the skin on the vertex is thin (Zi Sheng Jing). In infants whose fontanel has not yet closed, needling is contraindicated (Zi Sheng Jing).

Which meridian is DU20 on?

DU20 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).

Interactive body mapConditions & evidenceFind an acupuncturistTCM glossary
⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.