DU24 (Shenting, “Shenting”) is the Meeting point of DU, BL, ST point of the Governing Vessel Meridian. It is located on the midline of the head, 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the bridge of the nose. It calms the Spirit, pacifies wind, benefits the head, eyes, and nose.
On the midline of the head, 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the bridge of the nose.
Subcutaneous (transverse) insertion, directed posteriorly along the scalp, 0.3 to 0.5 cun. Oblique insertion is also used. Perpendicular insertion is generally avoided.
Calms the Spirit, pacifies wind, benefits the head, eyes, and nose.
Epilepsy with vomiting of foam, wind epilepsy with inability to recognize people, sheep-like bleating, madness, fright palpitations, insomnia, headache, dizziness, eye pain, tearing, rhinitis with clear discharge, nosebleed, vomiting and fullness, feverish head pain, shortness of breath, thirst, eye cannot see, eye twitching, upward staring eyes, infantile convulsions, mania with aimless walking, fright and inability to sleep.
Shenting is a primary point for calming the Shen and is frequently used for anxiety, insomnia, and mania. Its location at the intersection of the Du, Bladder, and Stomach channels makes it effective for frontal headaches, sinus issues, and eye disorders. While classical texts forbid needling, modern practice uses subcutaneous insertion, primarily for its calming effects and for local conditions like rhinitis and headache.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷07 · Source: Wikisource ↗
頭腦中寒，鼻衄目泣出（《千金》作寒熱頭痛），神庭主之The text records that DU24 was used for cold inside the head, with nosebleed and tearing (the Qianjin reads chills and fever with headache).
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷上 · 正人形第一 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
神庭 一穴，在鼻柱上髮際中。 灸三壯。 主登高而歌，棄衣而走，角弓反張，羊癇吐舌According to this text, DU24 lies at the hairline above the bridge of the nose and receives 3 moxa cones; it records use for climbing high places to sing, throwing off clothes and running, arched-back rigidity, and 'goat epilepsy' with tongue protrusion.
《千金翼方》 Qiānjīn Yìfāng — Supplement to the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, c. 682 · 卷26 · Source: Wikisource ↗
神庭在髮際直鼻，不刺（一雲入髮際一分）According to this text, DU24 lies at the hairline directly above the nose and is not to be needled (another view places it 0.1 cun inside the hairline).
DU24 is one of 28 points on the Governing Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
DU24 (Shenting) is located on the midline of the head, 0.5 cun posterior to the anterior hairline, directly superior to the bridge of the nose.
DU24 calms the Spirit, pacifies wind, benefits the head, eyes, and nose. Common clinical indications include epilepsy with vomiting of foam, wind epilepsy with inability to recognize people, sheep-like bleating, madness, fright palpitations, insomnia, headache, dizziness, eye pain, tearing, rhinitis with clear discharge, nosebleed, vomiting and fullness, feverish head pain, shortness of breath, thirst, eye cannot see, eye twitching, upward staring eyes, infantile convulsions, mania with aimless walking, fright and inability to sleep.
Subcutaneous (transverse) insertion, directed posteriorly along the scalp, 0.3 to 0.5 cun. Oblique insertion is also used. Perpendicular insertion is generally avoided. Caution: Classical texts strongly warn against needling this point, stating it can cause madness or loss of vision. The Jia Yi Jing and Qian Jin Yi Fang both list it under needling prohibitions. Moxibustion should be performed with care, avoiding overheating.
DU24 is a point on the Governing Vessel Meridian (Dū Mài).