Shixuan Shíxuān

Reviewed by · Licensed Acupuncturist & TCM Physician · Last reviewed June 2026

Shixuan (Shíxuān, “Shíxuān”) is an extra (non-channel) acupuncture point. It is located on the tip of each of the ten fingers, approximately 0.1 cun from the free edge of the fingernail. It clears heat, drains fire, opens the portals, and revives consciousness.

Location

On the tip of each of the ten fingers, approximately 0.1 cun from the free edge of the fingernail.

Needling

Prick to bleed, squeezing out a few drops of blood. Alternatively, superficial perpendicular insertion 0.1-0.2 cun.

TCM functions

Clears heat, drains fire, opens the portals, and revives consciousness..

Indications

Tonsillitis , wind-stroke with facial deviation, wind-stroke with opisthotonos and blindness, carbuncles on the back and waist..

Clinical notes

Shixuan are a set of powerful emergency points, primarily used in their pricked-to-bleed form to clear extreme heat and revive consciousness. They are classically indicated for severe sore throat (tonsillitis), high fever, coma, and various manifestations of wind-stroke. Their location at the terminal ends of the channels makes them potent for rapidly discharging pathogenic factors from the body's most distal regions.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Shixuan located?

Shixuan (Shíxuān) is located on the tip of each of the ten fingers, approximately 0.1 cun from the free edge of the fingernail.

What is Shixuan used for?

Shixuan clears heat, drains fire, opens the portals, and revives consciousness. Common clinical indications include tonsillitis , wind-stroke with facial deviation, wind-stroke with opisthotonos and blindness, carbuncles on the back and waist.

How is Shixuan needled?

Prick to bleed, squeezing out a few drops of blood. Alternatively, superficial perpendicular insertion 0.1-0.2 cun.

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⚠️ This page is for general education and is not medical advice. Acupuncture is a traditional practice; evidence varies by condition and study quality, and individual results differ. It does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a licensed professional. Always consult a qualified acupuncturist or physician.