DU23 (Shangxing, “Upper Star”) is the Ghost point point of the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the midline of the head, in a palpable depression one cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the nose. It clears the head and nose, brightens the eyes, calms the spirit, dispels wind and heat.
On the midline of the head, in a palpable depression one cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the nose.
Subcutaneous (transverse) insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, typically directed posteriorly along the channel.
Clears the head and nose, brightens the eyes, calms the spirit, dispels wind and heat.
Headache, head wind, head wind with dizziness, head heaviness, head pain as if splitting, malarial headache with chills, heat disease with no sweat, epilepsy, eye pain, eye pain that prevents seeing, eye dizziness, inability to see far, mouth and nose bleeding, nosebleed, nasal polyps, nasal congestion, profuse nasal discharge, facial swelling, face turning blue, eye twitching with upward gaze, inability to recognize people, madness, mania, ghost talk, desire to kill people, desire to commit suicide, fright, palpitations, vexation, fever.
Shangxing is a primary point for disorders of the nose, eyes, and mind. Its location on the Governing Vessel and its classical name 'Ghost Hall' highlight its utility for clearing heat and wind from the head to treat nasal congestion, nosebleeds, eye pain, and headaches. Furthermore, its function extends to calming the spirit, making it a crucial point in classical prescriptions for mania, epilepsy, and severe emotional disturbances.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《神應經》 Shényìng Jīng — Classic of Divine Response, Chen Hui, 1425 · 穴法图 · Source: Wikisource ↗
上星 在鼻上入发际一寸。 针三分，以细三棱针泻诸阳气、热气。 可灸七壮，不宜多，若频灸拔气上，目不明According to this text, DU23 lies 1 cun inside the hairline above the nose; it is needled 0.3 cun, using a fine three-edged needle to drain yang and heat qi, and may receive 7 moxa cones but not many, since frequent moxa is said to draw qi upward and dim the eyes.
《千金翼方》 Qiānjīn Yìfāng — Supplement to the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, c. 682 · 卷26 · Source: Wikisource ↗
上星在顱上直鼻中央，入髮際一寸，陷容豆According to this text, DU23 lies on the skull directly above the centre of the nose, 1 cun inside the hairline, in a hollow that holds a bean.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷07 · Source: Wikisource ↗
熱病（《千金》下有煩滿二字）汗不出，上星主之The text records that DU23 was used for febrile disease without sweating (the Qianjin adds vexation and fullness).
DU23 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU23 (Shangxing) is located on the midline of the head, in a palpable depression one cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the nose.
DU23 clears the head and nose, brightens the eyes, calms the spirit, dispels wind and heat. Common clinical indications include headache, head wind, head wind with dizziness, head heaviness, head pain as if splitting, malarial headache with chills, heat disease with no sweat, epilepsy, eye pain, eye pain that prevents seeing, eye dizziness, inability to see far, mouth and nose bleeding, nosebleed, nasal polyps, nasal congestion, profuse nasal discharge, facial swelling, face turning blue, eye twitching with upward gaze, inability to recognize people, madness, mania, ghost talk, desire to kill people, desire to commit suicide, fright, palpitations, vexation, fever.
Subcutaneous (transverse) insertion, 0.5 to 1.0 cun, typically directed posteriorly along the channel.
DU23 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).