GB13 (Benshen, “Root of the Spirit”) is the Meeting point of the Gallbladder and Yang Linking (Yang Wei Mai) channels point of the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. It is located on the head, directly superior to the outer canthus of the eye, located 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline and 3 cun lateral to the midline of the head. It calms the Spirit, pacifies Liver wind, and clears the head.
On the head, directly superior to the outer canthus of the eye, located 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline and 3 cun lateral to the midline of the head.
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun, often directed posteriorly towards Fengchi (GB20).
Calms the Spirit, pacifies Liver wind, and clears the head.
Epilepsy, convulsions, fright, headache, dizziness, neck rigidity, chest and costal pain, infantile convulsions, mania, vomiting of foam.
Benshen is a primary point for addressing disturbances of the Shen (spirit) and calming internal wind, particularly when these manifest in the head. It is frequently used for epilepsy, convulsions, and severe headaches or dizziness arising from Liver wind or phlegm-fire harassing the upper orifices. Its location on the Gallbladder channel and connection to the Yang Wei Mai make it effective for conditions involving both mental agitation and physical tension in the head and neck.
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03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
本神，在曲差兩傍各一寸五分，在髮際 〈 （一曰直耳上入髮際四分） 〉 足少陽、陽維之會，刺入三分，灸三壯According to this text, GB13 lies 1.5 cun to each side of BL4, at the hairline (another view: directly above the ear, 0.4 cun into the hairline), a meeting point of foot shaoyang and the yangwei vessel; needling is 0.3 cun with 3 moxa cones.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第八 · Source: Wikisource ↗
次灸本神二處各七壯，穴在耳正直上入發際二分是穴（又作四分）The text records next applying 7 moxa cones at GB13 on both sides, the point lying directly above the ear, 0.2 cun into the hairline (another reading: 0.4 cun).
GB13 is one of 44 points on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
GB13 (Benshen) is located on the head, directly superior to the outer canthus of the eye, located 0.5 cun within the anterior hairline and 3 cun lateral to the midline of the head.
GB13 calms the Spirit, pacifies Liver wind, and clears the head. Common clinical indications include epilepsy, convulsions, fright, headache, dizziness, neck rigidity, chest and costal pain, infantile convulsions, mania, vomiting of foam.
Transverse (subcutaneous) insertion, 0.5 to 1.5 cun, often directed posteriorly towards Fengchi (GB20).
GB13 is a point on the Gallbladder Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyáng Dǎnjīng).