KI16 (Huangshu, “Vitals Shu-point”) is an acupuncture point on the Kidney Channel Meridian. It is located on the middle abdomen, at the level of the umbilicus (CV8), 0.5 cun lateral to the midline. It regulates the intestines, warms the Middle Jiao, alleviates abdominal pain, and resolves stagnation.
On the middle abdomen, at the level of the umbilicus (CV8), 0.5 cun lateral to the midline.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 cun.
Regulates the intestines, warms the Middle Jiao, alleviates abdominal pain, and resolves stagnation.
Cutting abdominal pain, cold hernia of the large abdomen, dry stool, constipation, abdominal fullness with a gurgling sound and difficulty with bowel movements, cold in the heart region, red and painful inner canthus of the eye, large abdomen with cold hernia, hard masses below the heart.
Huangshu is a primary point for abdominal disorders, especially those involving pain, constipation, and a sensation of cold or hardness. Its location at the level of the navel and its connection to the Chong Mai make it effective for regulating the intestines and resolving stagnation in the middle and lower jiao. It is particularly indicated for cutting abdominal pain associated with constipation or cold hernia, directly addressing both the symptom and the underlying stasis.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 腹自幽門夾巨闕兩旁各半寸循衝脈下行至橫骨凡二十二穴第二十 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肓俞二穴，主善飢不欲食，心如懸，腹大時切痛，寒疝，大便燥，心下有寒，目赤痛從內眥始The text records that KI16 was used for frequent hunger without wish to eat, a feeling of the heart hanging, an enlarged abdomen with bouts of cutting pain, cold shan, dry stools, cold below the heart, and red painful eyes starting at the inner canthus.
《醫學綱目·刺灸》 Yīxué Gāngmù · Cìjiǔ — Outline of Medicine: Needling and Moxibustion, Lou Ying, 1565 · 卷之八·陰陽臟腑部 · 穴法下 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肓腧二穴，在商曲下一寸，直臍旁五分，衝脈足少陰之會。 針入三分，灸五壯According to this text, KI16 lies 1 cun below Shangqu, 0.5 cun beside the navel, at the meeting of the Chong vessel and foot shaoyin; needle 0.3 cun, 5 moxa cones.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 足少陰腎經穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
肓腧 在商曲下二寸。 （舊本一寸誤）臍旁五分足少陰衝脈之會。 （針一寸。 灸五壯）治腹痛寒疝大便燥According to this text, KI16 lies 2 cun below Shangqu (it says the old edition's 1 cun is an error), 0.5 cun beside the navel; needle 1 cun, 5 moxa cones, and it was used for abdominal pain, cold shan and dry stools.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷09 · Source: Wikisource ↗
大腸寒中（《千金》作疝），大便乾，腹中切痛，肓俞主之The text records that KI16 was used for cold in the large intestine (the Qianjin reads 'shan'), dry stools and cutting pain in the abdomen.
KI16 is one of 27 points on the Kidney Channel Meridian. Nearby points:
KI16 (Huangshu) is located on the middle abdomen, at the level of the umbilicus (CV8), 0.5 cun lateral to the midline.
KI16 regulates the intestines, warms the Middle Jiao, alleviates abdominal pain, and resolves stagnation. Common clinical indications include cutting abdominal pain, cold hernia of the large abdomen, dry stool, constipation, abdominal fullness with a gurgling sound and difficulty with bowel movements, cold in the heart region, red and painful inner canthus of the eye, large abdomen with cold hernia, hard masses below the heart.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 1.5 cun.
KI16 is a point on the Kidney Channel Meridian (Zú Shàoyīn Shènjīng).