LU1 (Zhongfu, “Zhongfu”) is the Front-Mu of the Lung point of the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin Meridian. It is located on the upper chest, 1 cun inferior to Yunmen (LU2), in a depression between the first and second ribs, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline. The point is found in a palpable depression where a pulsation can be felt. It disseminates and descends Lung Qi, clears Lung heat, transforms phlegm, regulates the water passages, and calms the spirit.
On the upper chest, 1 cun inferior to Yunmen (LU2), in a depression between the first and second ribs, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline. The point is found in a palpable depression where a pulsation can be felt.
Transverse-oblique insertion 0.5-1.0 cun laterally along the intercostal space. Avoid deep perpendicular insertion to prevent pneumothorax.
Disseminates and descends Lung Qi, clears Lung heat, transforms phlegm, regulates the water passages, and calms the spirit.
Abdominal distention, swelling of the four limbs, inability to eat, wheezing, chest fullness, shoulder and back pain, vomiting, cough with rebellious Qi, tight Lung channel, Lung cold and heat, chest agitation, gallbladder heat with vomiting, coughing turbid saliva, sweating from wind, skin pain, facial swelling, shortness of breath, inability to lie down, chest heat from Shang Han (cold damage), spirit possession disorders (flying corpse, hidden corpse), goiter, internal stasis of blood, evil wind and pathogenic Qi.
As the Front-Mu point of the Lung, Zhongfu is a primary point for treating all disorders of the Lung organ, whether excess or deficient, hot or cold. It excels at descending rebellious Lung Qi, making it crucial for cough, wheezing, and chest fullness. Its location as the first point on the channel and its connection with the Spleen channel also make it effective for addressing phlegm accumulation and digestive issues that impact the respiratory system, such as poor appetite and abdominal bloating.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《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 · 卷三 · 肺臟經文 · 肺經分寸歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
中府在任脈中行華蓋穴旁，直開去六寸，乳上三肋間陷中，動脈應手，仰而取之，是其穴也It is located 6 cun lateral to Huagai on the Ren channel, in the depression of the third rib space above the breast where a pulse is felt, and is found with the head tilted back, according to this text.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 经穴起止 · Source: Wikisource ↗
中府在乳上三肋间，去云门下一寸陷中。 针入三分，不宜灸。 主喉痹，胸满塞痛，面肿，呕吐，咳唾浊涕，肩背痛，腹胀，食饮不下According to this text, LU1 lies in the third rib space above the breast, 1 cun below Yunmen; it is needled 3 fen and moxa is not advised. It was used for throat-bi, chest fullness and pain, facial swelling, vomiting, cough with turbid sputum, shoulder and back pain, abdominal distension and inability to take food.
《神灸經綸》 Shénjiǔ Jīnglún — Principles of Divine Moxibustion, Wu Yiding, 1851 · 卷之二 · 十二經脈起止 · 肺經十一穴分寸 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
中府 穴在任脈中行華蓋穴旁直開去六寸乳上三肋間陷中動脈應手仰而取之灸三壯五壯According to this text, LU1 lies 6 cun lateral to Huagai in the third rib space above the breast where a pulse is felt, found with the head tilted back, and receives 3 or 5 moxa cones.
LU1 is one of 11 points on the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin Meridian. Nearby points:
LU1 (Zhongfu) is located on the upper chest, 1 cun inferior to Yunmen (LU2), in a depression between the first and second ribs, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline. The point is found in a palpable depression where a pulsation can be felt.
LU1 disseminates and descends Lung Qi, clears Lung heat, transforms phlegm, regulates the water passages, and calms the spirit. Common clinical indications include abdominal distention, swelling of the four limbs, inability to eat, wheezing, chest fullness, shoulder and back pain, vomiting, cough with rebellious Qi, tight Lung channel, Lung cold and heat, chest agitation, gallbladder heat with vomiting, coughing turbid saliva, sweating from wind, skin pain, facial swelling, shortness of breath, inability to lie down, chest heat from Shang Han (cold damage), spirit possession disorders (flying corpse, hidden corpse), goiter, internal stasis of blood, evil wind and pathogenic Qi.
Transverse-oblique insertion 0.5-1.0 cun laterally along the intercostal space. Avoid deep perpendicular insertion to prevent pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall.
LU1 is a point on the Lung Channel of Hand Taiyin Meridian (Shǒu Tàiyīn Fèijīng).