REN6 (Qihai, “Sea of Qi”) is the Yuan-Source Point of the Huang (Membranes) point of the Conception Vessel Meridian. It is located on the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun inferior to the center of the umbilicus. It tonifies Original Qi, warms the Lower Jiao, fortifies the Kidneys, regulates Qi, treats all chronic Qi diseases, and restores collapsed Yang.
On the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun inferior to the center of the umbilicus.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 2.0 cun. Deep insertion can puncture the peritoneum and small intestine if the bladder is not empty, especially in thin patients.
Tonifies Original Qi, warms the Lower Jiao, fortifies the Kidneys, regulates Qi, treats all chronic Qi diseases, and restores collapsed Yang.
Zang organ qi vacuity and exhaustion, insufficient true qi, all chronic qi diseases, shortness of breath, cold limbs with reversal (jue ni), abdominal cramping from cold, lower abdominal pain, lower abdominal cramping and tension, lower abdominal cold qi pain, diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal distention, abdominal masses like an overturned cup, intestinal rumbling, constipation, reddish urine, sudden heart pain, hernia (seven types), seminal emission, urinary dripping, enuresis in children, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding (beng zhong), red and white vaginal discharge, postpartum persistent lochia, pain around the umbilicus, lower back pain from sprain, general debility and emaciation, weakness of the four limbs, collapse of yang, loss of consciousness.
Qihai is a paramount point for tonifying the body's foundational energy. Its classical name, 'Sea of Qi,' aptly describes its capacity to treat profound deficiency, exhaustion, and collapse of yang, making it a cornerstone of constitutional and restorative treatments. Moxibustion is particularly emphasized in the classics for its ability to warm the lower jiao, bolster the Kidneys, and revive depleted Yuan Qi. It is essential for treating chronic diseases, severe debility, and various gynecological and urogenital disorders stemming from cold and deficiency.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《備急千金要方》 Bèijí Qiānjīn Yàofāng — Essential Prescriptions Worth a Thousand Gold for Emergencies, c. 650 · 第十五下 · Source: Wikisource ↗
脹滿瘕聚滯下疼冷，灸氣海百壯，穴在臍下一寸，忌不可針The text records that for distension and fullness with conglomerations, dysenteric discharge, pain and cold, 100 moxa cones were applied at REN6, located 1 cun below the navel (as stated here), and that it must not be needled.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷03 · Source: Wikisource ↗
一名脖，一名下肓，在臍下一寸五分，任脈氣所發，刺入一寸三分，灸五壯According to this text, REN6 (also called Bo or Xiahuang) lies 1.5 cun below the navel, where the Ren vessel qi emerges; it is needled 1.3 cun with 5 moxa cones.
《扁鵲神應針灸玉龍經》 Biǎn Què Shényìng Zhēnjiǔ Yùlóng Jīng — Bian Que's Jade Dragon Classic of Divinely Responsive Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1329 · 灸法杂抄切要 · Source: Wikisource ↗
脏气虚惫，真气不足，一切气疾久痞老者，宜灸气海The text records that for exhausted, deficient organ qi with insufficient true qi, and for all long-standing qi disorders and old focal blockages, moxibustion at REN6 is advised.
《醫學入門》 Yīxué Rùmén — Introduction to Medicine, Li Chan, 1575 · 治病奇穴 · Source: Wikisource ↗
灸后觉气壅盛，可灸气海及足三里，泻火实下The text records that if, after moxibustion, one feels qi congested and exuberant, moxibustion may be applied at REN6 and Zusanli to drain the fire and fill the lower part.
REN6 is one of 24 points on the Conception Vessel Meridian. Nearby points:
REN6 (Qihai) is located on the anterior midline of the lower abdomen, 1.5 cun inferior to the center of the umbilicus.
REN6 tonifies Original Qi, warms the Lower Jiao, fortifies the Kidneys, regulates Qi, treats all chronic Qi diseases, and restores collapsed Yang. Common clinical indications include zang organ qi vacuity and exhaustion, insufficient true qi, all chronic qi diseases, shortness of breath, cold limbs with reversal (jue ni), abdominal cramping from cold, lower abdominal pain, lower abdominal cramping and tension, lower abdominal cold qi pain, diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal distention, abdominal masses like an overturned cup, intestinal rumbling, constipation, reddish urine, sudden heart pain, hernia (seven types), seminal emission, urinary dripping, enuresis in children, irregular menstruation, uterine bleeding (beng zhong), red and white vaginal discharge, postpartum persistent lochia, pain around the umbilicus, lower back pain from sprain, general debility and emaciation, weakness of the four limbs, collapse of yang, loss of consciousness.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 2.0 cun. Deep insertion can puncture the peritoneum and small intestine if the bladder is not empty, especially in thin patients. Caution: Traditionally avoided or used with caution in PREGNANCY (strong qi/blood-moving or labour-promoting action). The Qian Jin Yao Fang notes '忌不可針' (forbidden to needle), though this is a minority view contradicted by most other major classics which provide specific needling instructions. The Zhen Jiu Ju Ying warns that excessive moxibustion on Qihai and ST36 in a young, qi-deficient person can lead to heat symptoms later in life, such as headache and aversion to warmth.
REN6 is a point on the Conception Vessel Meridian (Rèn Mài).