ST36 (Zusanli, “Leg Three Miles”) is the He-Sea point (Earth) point of the Stomach Meridian. It is located on the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun inferior to ST35 (Dubi), in a depression one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, within the tibialis anterior muscle. It harmonizes the Stomach, fortifies the Spleen and resolves dampness, supports the correct Qi and fosters the original Qi, tonifies Qi and Blood, calms the spirit, activates the channel and alleviates pain, revives yang and restores consciousness.
On the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun inferior to ST35 (Dubi), in a depression one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, within the tibialis anterior muscle.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 2.0 cun.
Harmonizes the Stomach, fortifies the Spleen and resolves dampness, supports the correct Qi and fosters the original Qi, tonifies Qi and Blood, calms the spirit, activates the channel and alleviates pain, revives yang and restores consciousness.
Stomach pain, abdominal distention, borborygmus, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, difficulty ingesting food, blockage and pain in the throat and diaphragm, breast abscess, breast swelling, mania, epilepsy, hemiplegia, beriberi, edema, soreness of the knee and leg, emaciation from general deficiency, five taxations and seven injuries, shortness of breath, inability to stand for long, dizziness, urinary disturbance, palpitations, cough, asthma, fever, pain along the channel, weakness and flaccidity of the foot, jaundice, pain in the heart, chest and hypochondrium, postpartum fainting, aversion to the smell of food, incessant talking, inappropriate laughter, fear and anger, cholera, cold in the stomach, undigested food in the stool, pain extending to the flanks, swelling of the face, dry lips, nosebleed, water swelling, pain in the shin, lassitude, excessive sweating, febrile disease without sweating, mouth deviation, goiter, cold limbs, hiccups.
As the He-Sea and Lower He-Sea point of the Stomach, Zusanli is the paramount point for regulating the entire digestive system. It powerfully tonifies the body's overall Qi and Blood, making it essential for treating weakness, fatigue, and chronic illness. Its ability to descend rebellious Qi treats nausea, vomiting, and hiccups, while its harmonizing action addresses both diarrhea and constipation. Beyond digestion, it is a key point for any condition involving leg pain, weakness, or paralysis, and is famed for its immune-boosting and longevity-promoting effects, especially when moxibustion is applied regularly.
Classical text; the translation was prepared with AI and is not clinical advice.
《針灸大成》 Zhēnjiǔ Dàchéng — Great Compendium of Acupuncture & Moxibustion, 1601 · 卷九 · Source: Wikisource ↗
足三里 主中風中濕，諸虛耳聾，上牙疼，痺風，水腫，心腹脹， 噎膈哮喘，寒濕腳氣，上中下部疾，無所不治The text records that ST36 was used for wind-strike and damp-strike, deafness from various depletions, upper toothache, bi-wind, water swelling, distension of heart and abdomen, dysphagia and wheezing, cold-damp leg qi, and disorders of the upper, middle and lower body, even claiming there was nothing it was not used for.
《神灸經綸》 Shénjiǔ Jīnglún — Principles of Divine Moxibustion, Wu Yiding, 1851 · 卷之二 · 十二經脈起止 · 胃經四十五穴分寸 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
足三里 從犢鼻下行髀骨外側大筋內宛宛中坐而豎膝低跗取之千金云灸二百壯至五百壯本云灸三壯小兒忌灸According to this text, ST36 is found below Dubi, on the outer side of the bone inside the large sinew in the hollow, with the patient seated, knee raised and instep lowered; the Qianjin gives 200 to 500 moxa cones, this book 3 cones, and moxibustion is to be avoided in small children.
《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 · 卷八 · 灸法早晚次序歌 · Source: jicheng.tw ↗
但人有病，欲灸足三里者，須年三十以上，方許灸之，恐年少火盛傷目The text states that a person wishing to receive moxibustion at ST36 should be over thirty years old, for fear that in the young, abundant fire would harm the eyes.
ST36 is one of 45 points on the Stomach Meridian. Nearby points:
ST36 (Zusanli) is located on the anterior aspect of the lower leg, 3 cun inferior to ST35 (Dubi), in a depression one finger-breadth lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, within the tibialis anterior muscle.
ST36 harmonizes the Stomach, fortifies the Spleen and resolves dampness, supports the correct Qi and fosters the original Qi, tonifies Qi and Blood, calms the spirit, activates the channel and alleviates pain, revives yang and restores consciousness. Common clinical indications include stomach pain, abdominal distention, borborygmus, indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, dysentery, difficulty ingesting food, blockage and pain in the throat and diaphragm, breast abscess, breast swelling, mania, epilepsy, hemiplegia, beriberi, edema, soreness of the knee and leg, emaciation from general deficiency, five taxations and seven injuries, shortness of breath, inability to stand for long, dizziness, urinary disturbance, palpitations, cough, asthma, fever, pain along the channel, weakness and flaccidity of the foot, jaundice, pain in the heart, chest and hypochondrium, postpartum fainting, aversion to the smell of food, incessant talking, inappropriate laughter, fear and anger, cholera, cold in the stomach, undigested food in the stool, pain extending to the flanks, swelling of the face, dry lips, nosebleed, water swelling, pain in the shin, lassitude, excessive sweating, febrile disease without sweating, mouth deviation, goiter, cold limbs, hiccups.
Perpendicular insertion 1.0 to 2.0 cun. Caution: The Zhen Jiu Ju Ying warns that excessive moxibustion on ST36 and CV6 in a young person with weak Qi can lead to conditions of heat rising to the head in old age, such as headache that is aggravated by warmth and relieved by cold. It also cautions that incorrectly using ST36, the He-Sea point of the Stomach, for conditions caused by the six external evils or patterns of upper heat and lower cold can be very dangerous.
ST36 is a point on the Stomach Meridian (Zú Yángmíng Wèijīng).