ST18 (Rǔgēn, “Rǔgēn”) is an acupuncture point on the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the chest, in the fifth intercostal space, directly inferior to the nipple, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline. This point is located in the depression 1.6 cun below the center of the nipple. It unbinds the chest, descends rebellious Qi, benefits the breasts, and alleviates pain.
On the chest, in the fifth intercostal space, directly inferior to the nipple, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline. This point is located in the depression 1.6 cun below the center of the nipple.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-1 cun. Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax.
Unbinds the chest, descends rebellious Qi, benefits the breasts, and alleviates pain.
Fullness and pain below the chest, chest fullness and stuffiness, chest pain, rebellious cough, stuck Qi in the diaphragm, difficulty swallowing due to esophageal constriction, arm pain and swelling, breast pain, breast abscess with chills and fever, pain that prevents touch, cholera with muscle spasms, coldness of the four limbs, chest swelling, chest and back distention with wheezing.
Rugen is a primary local point for conditions of the chest and breast. Its name, 'Root of the Breast,' highlights its classical application for breast abscess, pain, and lactation issues. The classical sources also emphasize its capacity to treat fullness, pain, and rebellious Qi in the chest, such as coughing and wheezing. Furthermore, it is noted for treating severe systemic conditions like cholera with tetany, demonstrating its function in harmonizing the Stomach and descending rebellious Qi.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸逢源》 Zhēnjiǔ Féngyuán — Sources of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, Li Xuechuan, 1815 · 卷四 · 經穴考正 · 足陽明胃經穴考 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
乳根 在乳中下一寸六分。 去中各四寸陷中仰取之。 （又婦人屈乳頭齊處是穴○針三分灸三壯）治胸下滿According to this text, ST18 lies 1.6 cun below the nipple (ST17), in the depression 4 cun from the midline, located with the face upward; in women it is where the bent nipple reaches. Needle 0.3 cun, moxibustion 3 cones; it was used for fullness below the chest.
《千金翼方》 Qiānjīn Yìfāng — Supplement to the Thousand Gold Prescriptions, c. 682 · 卷26 · Source: Wikisource ↗
乳根在乳下一寸六分陷中According to this text, ST18 lies in the depression 1.6 cun below the nipple.
《針灸甲乙經》 Zhēnjiǔ Jiǎyǐ Jīng — Systematic Classic of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, c. 256–282 · 卷12 · Source: Wikisource ↗
乳癰，淒索寒熱，不可接，乳根主The text records that ST18 was used for breast abscess with shivering cold and heat, so painful it cannot be touched.
ST18 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST18 (Rǔgēn) is located on the chest, in the fifth intercostal space, directly inferior to the nipple, 4 cun lateral to the anterior midline. This point is located in the depression 1.6 cun below the center of the nipple.
ST18 unbinds the chest, descends rebellious Qi, benefits the breasts, and alleviates pain. Common clinical indications include fullness and pain below the chest, chest fullness and stuffiness, chest pain, rebellious cough, stuck Qi in the diaphragm, difficulty swallowing due to esophageal constriction, arm pain and swelling, breast pain, breast abscess with chills and fever, pain that prevents touch, cholera with muscle spasms, coldness of the four limbs, chest swelling, chest and back distention with wheezing.
Oblique or transverse insertion 0.5-1 cun. Deep perpendicular insertion carries a risk of pneumothorax. Caution: Overlies the thoracic cavity — risk of PNEUMOTHORAX. Needle obliquely or transversely, never deeply or perpendicularly toward the chest wall.
ST18 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).