Opening up the Ren and Du Meridians is a new experience

Anyone who has read martial arts novels before will have discovered a strange phenomenon: some kung fu masters had mediocre qualifications at first, but later by chance, they suddenly opened up their Ren and Du meridians, and then their skills increased greatly. However, the Ren and Du meridians are not as mythical as described in novels. These two meridians are actually very ordinary meridians in the human body.

In traditional Chinese medicine, meridians are divided into twelve main meridians and eight extraordinary meridians. The Ren and Du meridians are two of the eight extraordinary meridians. Due to their uniqueness and importance, they are often referred to as the "fourteen meridians" together with the twelve main meridians. But among the eight extraordinary meridians, only the Ren and Du meridians are usually widely remembered.

Unveil the mystery of the "Ren and Du Meridians" and let them step down from the mysterious altar forever!

1. Unveiling the mystery of the Ren Meridian

Let's first look at the Ren Meridian, which is a meridian in the front of the human body. What is its circulation route? The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine records the Ren Meridian's circulation route as follows: "The Ren Meridian starts below the Zhongji, goes up the hairline, goes along the abdomen to Guanyuan, reaches the throat, goes up the chin, follows the face and enters the eyes."

That is to say, the Ren meridian starts from the uterus, goes down to the perineum, to the mons pubis, goes up along the midline of the abdomen and chest, to the throat, up to the lower jaw, around the lips, along the cheeks, and branches to under the eye sockets. The Ren Meridian has a branch, which separates from the uterus and runs backwards along the front of the spine with the Chong Meridian.

In traditional Chinese medicine, every meridian may become diseased. So, what will happen if the Ren meridian is diseased? The "Suwen·Gukonglun" records the pathological changes of the Ren meridian, which are roughly as follows: "If the Ren meridian is diseased, men will have seven internal hernias, and women will have leucorrhea and mass accumulation." The Ren meridian has the functions of controlling all the yin meridians in the body, regulating the Qi and blood of the yin meridians, regulating menstruation, and nourishing the fetus during pregnancy. If there is a lesion in the Ren Mai, it is naturally related to this aspect. So what are the specific symptoms?

Unveil the mystery of the "Ren and Du Meridians" and let them step down from the mysterious altar forever!

Blockage of the Ren meridian may manifest as irregular menstruation, amenorrhea and infertility, white leucorrhea, lower abdominal lumps, fullness and pain, wandering pain, testicular swelling and pain, and hernia. Deficiency of the Ren meridian may manifest as restless fetal movement, lower abdominal distension, vaginal bleeding, or even miscarriage, delayed menstruation or amenorrhea, or prolonged menstruation, dizziness, blurred vision, soreness of the waist and knees, etc.

The Ren Meridian is the "sea of ​​yin meridians" with more than 20 acupoints on it, and these acupoints can also cure diseases. Therefore, the Ren Meridian also has its unique health-care function.

What kind of diseases can the acupoints on the Ren meridian mainly prevent and treat? According to comprehensive statistics, the Ren meridian and the acupoints on it can prevent and treat prostatitis, impotence, premature ejaculation, pelvic inflammatory disease, adnexitis, leucorrhea; stomachache, indigestion, gastric ulcer; as well as insomnia, chest tightness, shortness of breath, low back pain and other symptoms.

So, what are the acupoints on the Ren Meridian? This is also a topic that many people are concerned about. The Ren meridian starts at the Huiyin point and ends at the Chengjiang point, with 24 points in total (Huiyin, Qugu, Zhongji, Guanyuan, Shimen, Qihai, Yinjiao, Shenque, Shuifen, Xiawan, Jianli, Zhongwan, Shangwan, Juque, Jiuwei, Zhongting, Tanzhong, Yutang, Zigong, Huagai, Xuanji, Tiantu, Lianquan, Chengjiang).

Among the many acupoints on the Ren meridian, especially Huiyin, Guanyuan, Qihai, Shenque, Zhongwan, Tanzhong, Chengjiang and other acupoints are important acupoints for health preservation. The Ren meridian originates from the perineum. The perineum point has the functions of regulating menstruation, tonifying the kidney, clearing away dampness and heat. It can be used for urinary and bowel problems or incontinence, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse; spermatorrhea, impotence, genital itching; drowning suffocation, coma, insanity and other symptoms. So where is the specific location of the perineum? At the perineum, which is the midpoint of the line between the root of the scrotum and the anus for men and the midpoint of the line between the posterior joint of the labia majora and the anus for women.

Let’s talk about Shenque. This acupuncture point is what we often call the belly button. It has the effects of nourishing the essence and consolidating the foundation, restoring yang and rescuing from adverse conditions, nourishing the spleen and stomach, regulating qi and intestines. It can be used for stroke, cold limbs, diarrhea, sweating on one side of the body, edema and other symptoms.

Let’s talk about Zhongwan acupoint. What we usually call the pit of the stomach is right at Zhongwan acupoint, which is located in the upper abdomen, on the anterior midline, 4 inches above the navel. It has the functions of strengthening the spleen and stomach, eliminating accumulation and stagnation, regulating qi and relieving pain. It is suitable for epigastric pain, vomiting, hiccups, acid regurgitation; abdominal distension, diarrhea, indigestion; cough, asthma and excessive sputum; jaundice; insomnia and other symptoms.

Let’s talk about the Danzhong point, which is also a crucial point in the novel. The Danzhong acupoint is located on the chest, on the anterior midline, at the level of the fourth intercostal space, at the midpoint of the line connecting the two nipples. It has the effects of widening the chest, regulating qi, calming the mind and tranquilizing the nerves. It is suitable for asthma, chest tightness, heart pain, palpitations, low milk supply, hiccups, and choking.

Finally, let’s talk about Chengjiang acupoint, which is often used in pediatric massage. The Chengjiang acupoint is located on the face, in the central depression of the chin-labial groove. It has the effect of dispelling wind and unblocking meridians, and regulating the Ren and Du meridians. It is suitable for symptoms such as facial paralysis, swollen and painful gums, drooling, insanity, and enuresis.

This is a brief introduction to the Ren Meridian. Next, let’s take a look at the Du Meridian.

2. Unveiling the Mystery of the Du Meridian

The Du Meridian is a meridian on the back of our body, and is also known as the "Sea of ​​Yang Meridians". Let's first take a look at what the Governor Vessel looks like? In other words, what is its route? The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine records it like this: "The Governor Vessel starts from the center of the bone below the lower abdomen. For women, it enters the foramen, which is the end of the urinary foramen. Its network runs between the genitals and the anus, around the anus, and around the buttocks. It joins the networks of the Shaoyin and Juyang. The Shaoyin goes up the inner and posterior edges of the thighs, penetrates the spine and belongs to the kidney. It starts from the inner canthus of the eye with the Taiyang, goes up to the forehead and crosses the top of the head, goes up to the brain, goes out and goes down the neck, along the shoulder blades, inside the spine to the waist, goes in and around the lumbar spine to connect with the kidney. For men, it goes down the penis to the anus, which is the same as for women. The network goes straight up from the lower abdomen, penetrates the center of the navel, goes up to the heart and enters the throat, goes up to the chin and circles the lips, and is tied to the center below the eyes."

That is to say, the Du meridian starts from the center of the transverse bone in the lower abdomen (the uterus in women and the sperm chamber in men), and has the same origin as the Chong and Ren meridians. Then it comes out from the perineum (in women it is tied to the external urethral opening, and in men it follows the penis), then goes around the back of the anus, then around the buttocks, and goes up along the spine from the coccyx, enters the cranial cavity at the Fengfu point behind the neck, connects with the brain, and then goes up along the midline to the top of the head, follows the midline of the forehead to the bottom of the nose, and ends at the Yinjiao point.

Unveil the mystery of the "Ren and Du Meridians" and let them step down from the mysterious altar forever!

Having said that, I have only finished talking about the main line of the Du meridian. However, the Du meridian has several branches. The first branch branches out from the perineum, merges with the collaterals of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian and the Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian, and then ascends from the Kidney Meridian through the inner and posterior edge of the thigh, penetrates the spine and connects to the kidneys. The second branch of the Governor Vessel goes straight up from the lower abdomen, passes through the center of the navel, then goes up through the heart to the throat, then goes up to the cheek and surrounds the lips, and then goes up into the pupil. The third branch of the Du meridian is in the eye, and it starts from the inner canthus of the eye with the Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian, goes up at the forehead, intersects at the top of the head, enters into the brain, and then comes out and goes down to the neck, along the shoulders, and goes down along the spine to the waist, and enters into the kidney along the spine. In men, it follows the penis to the perineum. The fourth branch of the Du meridian branches out from the spine and belongs to the kidneys.

Du channel, as the sea of ​​yang channels, may also be invaded by pathogenic factors. So what will happen if Du channel is diseased? The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Internal Medicine says: "If Du channel is diseased, the spine will be stiff and bent. In this disease, pain will rush up from the lower abdomen to the heart, and the patient will be unable to move forward or backward. This is called Chong hernia. Females will be infertile, and will suffer from urinary incontinence, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and dry throat." Translated, this means that when Du channel is diseased, most of the time the patient will have a stiff and painful back as if it is broken; there will be gas rushing up in the lower abdomen and heart pain; females will be infertile, urinary obstruction or dribbling, hemorrhoids, enuresis, and dry throat.

To be more specific, it is roughly like this: when evil invades the Du channel, symptoms may appear such as clenched jaw, headache, convulsions of the limbs, and even coma and fever; when the Du channel is weak, symptoms may appear such as dizziness, heaviness of the head, vertigo, forgetfulness, tinnitus and deafness, soreness and weakness of the waist and spine, rickets, etc.; when the Yang of the Du channel is deficient, symptoms may appear such as chills in the back, erectile dysfunction, cold and thin semen, spermatorrhea, cold and swollen pain in the lower abdomen of women, infertility caused by cold uterus, soreness and weakness of the waist and knees, etc.

There are many acupoints on the Du meridian, which can also prevent and treat some diseases. For example, lumbar muscle strain, lumbar disc herniation, ankylosing spondylitis, cervical spondylosis; pediatric indigestion, headache, fever, stroke, rectal prolapse, insomnia, nightmares, memory loss, degenerative arthritis, cholecystitis and other diseases can all be mediated through the acupoints of the Du meridian.

The Du meridian starts at Changqiang point and ends at Yinjiao point, with a total of 28 points. The acupoints are as follows: Changqiang, Yaoshu, Yaoyangguan, Mingmen, Xuanshu, Jizhong, Zhongshu, Jinsuo, Zhiyang, Lingtai, Shendao, Shenzhu, Taodao, Dazhui, Yamen, Fengfu, Naohu, Qiangjian, Houding, Baihui, Qianding, Xinhui, Shangxing, Shenting, Suoliao, Shugou, Duiduan, Yinjiao, etc. Let’s focus on the Changqiang, Mingmen, Dazhui, Fengfu, Baihui and other acupoints.

Let’s talk about the Changqiang point first. The location of this point is the same as the perineum, which is quite embarrassing. The location of the Changqiang acupoint is 0.5 inches below the end of the coccyx, at the midpoint of the line connecting the end of the coccyx and the anus. It has the effects of calming spasms and extinguishing wind, clearing away heat and dampness, and stopping diarrhea. It is suitable for diarrhea, bloody stools, constipation, hemorrhoids, rectal prolapse, epilepsy, etc.

Let’s talk about the Mingmen acupoint. As soon as you hear the name of this acupoint, you know that it is extraordinary. The Mingmen acupoint is located on the waist, on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the second lumbar vertebra. It has the effects of strengthening the kidneys, strengthening the waist and knees, consolidating the essence and stopping leukorrhea, dredging the meridians and regulating qi. It is suitable for spermatorrhea, impotence, irregular menstruation, leukorrhea, diarrhea, and low back pain.

Let's talk about the Dazhui point. This point is located on the posterior midline, in the depression below the spinous process of the seventh cervical vertebra. It has the effects of relieving exterior symptoms and clearing heat, dispersing wind and cold, extinguishing wind and stopping convulsions, clearing the lungs and calming the mind. It is suitable for fever, malaria, bone steaming and night sweats; chills all over the body, colds, red and swollen eyes, stiff neck and headache; epilepsy; cough and asthma, etc.

Let's talk about Fengfu point. This point is located on the back of the neck, 1 inch directly above the middle of the posterior hairline, directly below the external occipital protuberance, in the depression between the trapezius muscles on both sides. It has the functions of dispersing wind evil, clearing the heart and opening the orifices, and unblocking the organs. It is suitable for aphasia caused by stroke, hemiplegia, insanity, neck pain, stiff neck, dizziness, sore throat, etc.

Finally, let’s talk about Baihui acupoint. This acupoint can be said to be a very legendary acupoint. According to legend, when the ancient miracle doctor Bian Que was passing by Guo State, the prince of Guo State pretended to be dead and was about to be buried, but Bian Que brought him back to life, and he used the Baihui acupoint to save him. So, is Baihui Point really so magical? Let’s take a look together. Baihui point is on the head, 5 inches directly above the middle of the current hairline, or at the midpoint of the line connecting the two ear tips; it has the effects of calming the liver and extinguishing wind, raising yang and invigorating qi, refreshing the brain and tranquilizing the mind, clearing away heat and opening the orifices; it is suitable for dizziness, headache; fainting, hemiplegia due to stroke, aphasia; prolapse of the anus, prolapse of the uterus; epilepsy and insomnia. With so many functions of Baihui acupoint, what function did Bian Que use to treat the prince of Guo? It should be the function of Baihui acupoint to "awaken the brain and calm the mind, clear away heat and open the orifices", which is consistent with the main function of Baihui acupoint to treat "fainting, hemiplegia due to stroke, and aphasia".

This is a brief introduction to the basic situation of the Ren and Du meridians. From the above knowledge, we can see that martial arts novels have demonized the "Ren and Du Meridians". As long as we can understand the true meaning of them, the veils of mystery will be lifted and the "fantasy" colors will be self-defeating. We should return to reality from novels and accept that the Ren and Du meridians are actually two meridians in the human body and that they have the function of maintaining health and preventing diseases.