REN15 (Jiuwei, “Jiuwei”) is the Luo-Connecting Point of the Ren Mai point of the Conception Vessel Meridian. It is located on the anterior midline of the upper abdomen, in the depression just inferior to the tip of the xiphoid process. This is described as 0.5 cun below the 'shield-like bone' (xiphoid). For individuals where this bone is not palpable, it is located 1 cun inferior to the infrasternal angle. It calms the spirit and settles fright, descends rebellious lung and stomach qi, unbinds the chest.
On the anterior midline of the upper abdomen, in the depression just inferior to the tip of the xiphoid process. This is described as 0.5 cun below the 'shield-like bone' (xiphoid). For individuals where this bone is not palpable, it is located 1 cun inferior to the infrasternal angle.
Subcutaneous insertion, angled inferiorly, 0.4 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or superior insertion is contraindicated due to the risk of injuring the liver or heart.
Calms the spirit and settles fright, descends rebellious lung and stomach qi, unbinds the chest.
Epilepsy, manic running about, delirious speech, fright palpitations, mental exhaustion, aversion to the sound of human voices, running piglet disorder , heat disease, one-sided headache radiating to the eye, belching, wheezing, gurgling sound in the throat, chest fullness, cough, vomiting, throat impediment and swelling, inability to swallow food or drink, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, sudden abdominal skin discoloration in children.
As the Luo-Connecting point of the Ren Mai, Jiuwei connects to the abdomen and back, and as the Yuan-Source of the 'Gao' (membranes/pericardium), it has a profound effect on the Heart and Spirit. It is a primary point for treating severe shen disturbances like epilepsy, mania, and extreme anxiety. Although classically used for a wide range of respiratory and digestive issues, its modern use focuses heavily on its powerful spirit-calming function, especially for conditions with a psycho-emotional root manifesting in the chest.
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 · 腹入鳩尾循任脈下行至會陰凡十五穴第十九 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
鳩尾一穴，非高手不能下。 主息賁胸滿，咳嘔，喉痹咽腫，噫喘喉鳴，水漿不下，癲癇，狂妄昏悶，吐血，心驚The text records that REN15 (a single point) should only be needled by a skilled hand; it was used for 'xi ben' (lung accumulation) with chest fullness, cough and vomiting, throat-bi and swollen throat, belching, panting and wheezing, inability to swallow fluids, epilepsy, mania with confusion, vomiting blood and heart fright.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第二十九 · Source: Wikisource ↗
鳩尾，在臆前蔽骨下五分，不可灸刺According to this text, REN15 lies 5 fen below the xiphoid in front of the chest, and neither moxibustion nor needling may be applied.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷十 · Source: Wikisource ↗
鳩尾 在兩歧骨下一寸，針三分，禁灸According to this text, REN15 lies 1 cun below the fork of the two (costal) bones; it is needled 3 fen and moxibustion is forbidden.
REN15 is one of 24 points on the Conception Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
REN15 (Jiuwei) is located on the anterior midline of the upper abdomen, in the depression just inferior to the tip of the xiphoid process. This is described as 0.5 cun below the 'shield-like bone' (xiphoid). For individuals where this bone is not palpable, it is located 1 cun inferior to the infrasternal angle.
REN15 calms the spirit and settles fright, descends rebellious lung and stomach qi, unbinds the chest. Common clinical indications include epilepsy, manic running about, delirious speech, fright palpitations, mental exhaustion, aversion to the sound of human voices, running piglet disorder , heat disease, one-sided headache radiating to the eye, belching, wheezing, gurgling sound in the throat, chest fullness, cough, vomiting, throat impediment and swelling, inability to swallow food or drink, coughing up blood, shortness of breath, sudden abdominal skin discoloration in children.
Subcutaneous insertion, angled inferiorly, 0.4 to 1.0 cun. Deep perpendicular or superior insertion is contraindicated due to the risk of injuring the liver or heart. Caution: Multiple classics state that this point should not be needled or should only be needled by an expert, as improper technique can be fatal ('shorten one's life'). Several sources also forbid moxibustion, warning it can permanently weaken a person's 'heart strength'. The Jia Yi Jing states it is a forbidden point for both needle and moxa.
REN15 is a point on the Conception Vessel Meridian (Rèn Mài).