REN23 (Lianquan, “Lianquan”) is the Window of the Sky point of the Conception Vessel Meridian. It is located on the anterior midline of the neck, in the depression superior to the hyoid bone, at the root of the tongue. It benefits the tongue and throat, promotes the generation of fluids, resolves phlegm, and clears fire.
On the anterior midline of the neck, in the depression superior to the hyoid bone, at the root of the tongue.
With the head tilted back, needle obliquely 0.5 to 1.0 cun towards the root of the tongue. It is also common to needle transversely towards Jinjin (EX-HN12) and Yuye (EX-HN13) on either side.
Benefits the tongue and throat, promotes the generation of fluids, resolves phlegm, and clears fire.
Tongue stiffness, inability to speak, tongue slackness, tongue root pain, tongue root shrinking, mouth dryness, excessive salivation, throat obstruction, mouth and tongue sores, sudden loss of voice, difficulty swallowing, cough, asthma, thirst, stomach heat causing excessive drooling, mouth ulcers.
Lianquan is a primary local point for a wide range of disorders affecting the tongue and throat, from structural issues like stiffness or flaccidity to functional problems like aphasia or excessive salivation. Its connection to the Yin Wei Mai and its location at the root of the tongue make it crucial for regulating fluids in the mouth, treating both dryness and drooling. The classical texts emphasize its role in treating both excess conditions, such as phlegm-heat obstructing the throat, and deficiency patterns leading to fluid dryness or muscular weakness of the tongue.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《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 ↗
廉泉一穴，在頷下結喉下四寸中央，乃陰維腎脈之會。 可灸三壯，針三分According to this text, REN23 (a single point) lies below the jaw in the midline, 4 cun below the laryngeal prominence as stated here, and is a meeting of the Yinwei and kidney vessels; it may receive 3 moxa cones and is needled 3 fen.
《針方六集》 Zhēnfāng Liùjí — Six Collections on Needling, Wu Kun, 1618 · 卷之五·紛署集 · 頸凡十七穴第十二 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
廉泉一穴，主舌強舌縱，舌卷短縮，舌腫滿口，重舌，喉痹，咳嗽上氣，喘息嘔沫，涎出難言The text records that REN23 (a single point) was used for stiff or slack tongue, curled and shortened tongue, swollen tongue filling the mouth, 'double tongue', throat-bi, cough with rising qi, panting with frothy vomiting, and drooling with difficulty speaking.
REN23 is one of 24 points on the Conception Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
REN23 (Lianquan) is located on the anterior midline of the neck, in the depression superior to the hyoid bone, at the root of the tongue.
REN23 benefits the tongue and throat, promotes the generation of fluids, resolves phlegm, and clears fire. Common clinical indications include tongue stiffness, inability to speak, tongue slackness, tongue root pain, tongue root shrinking, mouth dryness, excessive salivation, throat obstruction, mouth and tongue sores, sudden loss of voice, difficulty swallowing, cough, asthma, thirst, stomach heat causing excessive drooling, mouth ulcers.
With the head tilted back, needle obliquely 0.5 to 1.0 cun towards the root of the tongue. It is also common to needle transversely towards Jinjin (EX-HN12) and Yuye (EX-HN13) on either side.
REN23 is a point on the Conception Vessel Meridian (Rèn Mài).