LI5 (Yáng Xī, “Yang Stream”) is the Jing-River point point of the Large Intestine Meridian. It is located on the dorsal aspect of the wrist, at the wrist crease, in the depression between the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis when the thumb is extended. This depression is known as the 'anatomical snuffbox'. It clears heat, alleviates pain, benefits the throat and wrist, calms the spirit.
On the dorsal aspect of the wrist, at the wrist crease, in the depression between the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis when the thumb is extended. This depression is known as the 'anatomical snuffbox'.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5-0.8 cun.
Clears heat, alleviates pain, benefits the throat and wrist, calms the spirit.
Toothache, ear pain, deafness, tinnitus, heat in the body, vexation of the heart, heart pain, malaria with severe cold, cough with phlegm, madness, seeing ghosts, raving, epilepsy, convulsions, fright, red and painful eyes, headache, sore throat.
As the Fire and Jing-River point of the Large Intestine channel, Yangxi is a primary distal point for clearing Yangming heat from the head and sense organs. It is classically indicated for a wide range of issues like toothache, sore throat, and tinnitus, especially when heat is a factor. Its ability to treat 'madness' and 'raving' also points to its function of clearing heat that is disturbing the spirit.
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 ↗
目痛瞑，頭痛，齲齒痛，泣出，厥逆頭痛，胸滿不得息，陽溪主之The text records that LI5 was used for eye pain with closed eyes, headache, toothache from caries, tearing, headache from reversal (jue), and chest fullness with inability to breathe.
《普濟方·針灸門》 Pǔjì Fāng · Zhēnjiǔ Mén — Formulas for Universal Relief: Acupuncture & Moxibustion Section, Zhu Su, 1406 · 卷四百十六 · 針灸門 · 手陽明大腸經左右二十八穴 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
陽谿二穴 火也。 一名中魁。 在腕中上側兩筋間陷中。 針三分。 留七呼。 灸二壯According to this text, LI5 is a fire point, also called Zhongkui, located in the depression between two tendons on the upper side of the wrist; needle 0.3 cun, retain 7 breaths, 2 moxa cones.
《子午流注針經》 Zǐwǔ Liúzhù Zhēnjīng — Needling Classic of the Midday-Midnight Flow, Yan Mingguang, c. 1153 · 卷下 · 針經井滎歌訣 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
陽谿為經表腕邊，顛狂喜笑鬼神言，
心煩目赤頭風痛，熱病心驚針下痊This verse records that LI5, the jing (river) point at the edge of the wrist, was used for madness with laughter and talk of ghosts and spirits, vexation, red eyes, head-wind pain, and febrile disease with palpitations from fright, and claims recovery upon needling.
《醫宗金鑑·刺灸心法要訣》 Yīzōng Jīnjiàn · Cìjiǔ Xīnfǎ Yàojué — Golden Mirror of Medicine: Essential Teachings on Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Wu Qian et al., 1742 · 卷七 · 手部主病針灸要穴歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
陽谿主治諸熱證，癮疹痂疥亦當針，頭痛牙痛咽喉痛，狂妄驚中見鬼神This verse records that LI5 was used for various heat patterns, and should also be needled for urticaria, scabs and scabies, headache, toothache, sore throat, and wild raving with fright and seeing ghosts and spirits.
LI5 is one of 20 points on the Large Intestine Meridian. Nearby points:
LI5 (Yáng Xī) is located on the dorsal aspect of the wrist, at the wrist crease, in the depression between the tendons of extensor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis when the thumb is extended. This depression is known as the 'anatomical snuffbox'.
LI5 clears heat, alleviates pain, benefits the throat and wrist, calms the spirit. Common clinical indications include toothache, ear pain, deafness, tinnitus, heat in the body, vexation of the heart, heart pain, malaria with severe cold, cough with phlegm, madness, seeing ghosts, raving, epilepsy, convulsions, fright, red and painful eyes, headache, sore throat.
Perpendicular insertion 0.5-0.8 cun.
LI5 is a point on the Large Intestine Meridian (Shǒu Yángmíng Dàcháng Jīng).