HT3 (Shaohai, “Lesser Sea”) is the He-Sea Point point of the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoyin Meridian. It is located on the medial aspect of the elbow, in the depression between the medial end of the transverse cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus, when the elbow is flexed. It calms the spirit, transforms phlegm, clears heat, activates the channel and alleviates pain.
On the medial aspect of the elbow, in the depression between the medial end of the transverse cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus, when the elbow is flexed.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun.
Calms the spirit, transforms phlegm, clears heat, activates the channel and alleviates pain.
Axillary scrofula, arm pain with inability to flex and extend, wind-bi pain, lingering disease, brain wind, cold teeth, headache, manic-depressive disorder, epilepsy, frantic speech, hand tremor, forgetfulness, dizziness, vomiting of foamy saliva, neck rigidity preventing turning the head, elbow contracture, pain in the axilla and hypochondrium, inability to raise the four limbs, belching, heart pain, chills and fever, toothache due to caries, malaria with chills in the back, neck pain radiating to the elbow and axilla, waist pain radiating to the lower abdomen.
As the He-Sea point of the Heart channel, Shaohai is a primary point for clearing Heart fire and phlegm-fire that obstruct the mind, making it effective for mania, epilepsy, and severe anxiety. It also has a strong local action on the elbow and arm, treating pain, contracture, and numbness along the channel pathway. Its ability to address scrofula, mentioned in multiple classics, highlights its function in transforming phlegm and resolving nodules.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《千金翼方》 Qiānjīn Yìfāng — Supplement to the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, c. 682 · 卷28 · Source: Wikisource ↗
少海，在臂曲側肘內橫紋頭，屈手向頭取之According to this text, HT3 lies on the flexed side of the arm at the end of the transverse crease inside the elbow, located by bending the hand toward the head.
《扁鵲神應針灸玉龍經》 Biǎn Què Shényìng Zhēnjiǔ Yùlóng Jīng — Bian Que's Jade Dragon Classic of Divinely Responsive Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1329 · 丁手少阴心之经 · Source: Wikisource ↗
少海 为合水。 在肘内廉节后大骨外，去肘端五分，横纹动脉中，屈肘向头取之。 忌灸。 治头疼，项急，胸满，心烦及肩膊手臂麻木难举According to this text, HT3 is the sea (he) water point, lying behind the inner elbow joint outside the large bone, 5 fen from the tip of the elbow, at the pulse in the crease, located by bending the elbow toward the head. Moxibustion is to be avoided; it records use for headache, stiff nape, chest fullness, vexed heart, and numbness of the shoulder and arm that are hard to raise.
《黃帝明堂灸經》 Huángdì Míngtáng Jiǔjīng — The Yellow Emperor's Bright Hall Moxibustion Classic, Tang · 卷上 · 正人形第十八 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
少海 二穴，在肘大骨外，去肘端五分陷者中，屈肘乃得之。 灸五壯。 主四肢不舉，癲癇吐舌，沫出羊鳴也According to this text, HT3 lies in the depression outside the large elbow bone, 5 fen from the tip of the elbow, found with the elbow bent, with 5 moxa cones. It records use for limbs that cannot be raised and for epilepsy with protruding tongue, frothing and sheep-like cries.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷07 · Source: Wikisource ↗
瘧背膂振寒，項痛引肘腋，腰痛引少腹，四肢不舉，少海主之The text records that HT3 was used for malaria with shivering cold along the back and spine, neck pain pulling into the elbow and armpit, lumbar pain pulling into the lower abdomen, and limbs that cannot be raised.
HT3 is one of 9 points on the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoyin Meridian. Nearby points:
HT3 (Shaohai) is located on the medial aspect of the elbow, in the depression between the medial end of the transverse cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus, when the elbow is flexed.
HT3 calms the spirit, transforms phlegm, clears heat, activates the channel and alleviates pain. Common clinical indications include axillary scrofula, arm pain with inability to flex and extend, wind-bi pain, lingering disease, brain wind, cold teeth, headache, manic-depressive disorder, epilepsy, frantic speech, hand tremor, forgetfulness, dizziness, vomiting of foamy saliva, neck rigidity preventing turning the head, elbow contracture, pain in the axilla and hypochondrium, inability to raise the four limbs, belching, heart pain, chills and fever, toothache due to caries, malaria with chills in the back, neck pain radiating to the elbow and axilla, waist pain radiating to the lower abdomen.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 cun. Caution: Classical texts note a significant disagreement on the appropriateness of moxibustion at this point, with several sources advising against it. The ulnar nerve is located medially and deep to this point, so care must be taken during needling to avoid injury.
HT3 is a point on the Heart Channel of Hand-Shaoyin Meridian (Shǒu Shàoyīn Xīnjīng).