Ren (and Stimpy)

No, I'm afraid that our beloved cartoon cat and dog will NOT be participating in todays discussion.  Today, we have the last of the regular channels, a Yin channel that runs up the center of the body, from the anus to below the mouth, also known as the "conception vessel".  The Ren channel is closely linked to the Du channel, and is similar in that there is no specific internal organ to which it relates.  However, like the Du channel, the Ren channel has influence over all of the Yin channels in the body, where Du influences Yang.

The Ren channel contains many alarm points, and is commonly used to treat the internal organs.

It has one Luo connecting point, that of Ren 15 (Jiuwei) that connects it to the Du channel.  Together with Du1, the change from polarity of Yin to Yang and vice versa occurs here.

The energy circulation of both the Ren and Du channels travels up the exterior of the body from the anus and enters the mouth, where it travels back down to the anus.  As they pass the other organs and channels, they help balance the 6 sets of coupled internal organs.  A complete energy cycle takes 24 hours.

Here we go with common points...

Ren1  Huiyin. This is in the center of the perineum, and is the subject of my post "The do not disturb Sticky".  While officially used for hemorrhoids, it also serves to send qi upwards, which can help with prolapsed organs and put them back into position.

Trust me, if someone jabbed you in this point, you'd feel the energy go up!

Ren2  Immediately above the midpoint of the superior boarder of the pubic symphysis.  Indicated for, you guessed it, genitourinary disorders!  Also good for

• Incontinence and retention of urine, chronic inflammation, nocturnal enuresis in children
• Impotence, spermatorrhea, and premature ejaculation.
• Menstrual disorders

Ren3  Alarm point for Urinary Bladder.  4 cun below the umbilicus.  Indicated for the same as Ren2

Ren4  Alarm point for Small Intestine.  3 cun below the umbilicus.  Same for Ren2 plus diarrhea.

Ren5, Alarm point for Sanjiao.  Indicated for edema and ascites, lipodystrophy and Panniculitis

Note:  A very effective combination for edema and ascites is Ren5, Ren9 Sp9 and Ub20.  There is also an edema point in the ear.

Ren6,  Tonification point, good when used with St36 and Sp6 for chronic fatigue and hypotension.  Indicated for Neurasthenia. 

Ren8.  Forbidden point for acupuncture, it is the center of the umbilicus.  It is used only as a landmark to located other acupuncture points.  Moxibustion at this point is useful to tonify and for yin disorders like chronic diarrhea.

Ren9, 1 cun above the umbilicus, specific point for edema and ascites.

Ren12, Alarm point for stomach.  Influential point for Fu organs (hollow or Yang).  Located midway between the tip of the xyphoid process and umbilicus.  Indicated for peptic ulcer, abdominal distension, flatulence (what would Freud say?) dyspepsia, nausea and vomiting.

Ren17, Influential point for the respiratory system, alarm point for the pericardium.  On the sternum, between the two nipples, level with the 4th intercostal space.  Indicated for heart disease, bronchial asthma and other lung disorders, breast disorders.

Ren22, Tiantu, dangerous point!  This is the best point for treating and acute attack of bronchial asthma or hiccup.  Treat it as a forbidden point until you gain enough experience!  

Ren23, On the midline of the neck, below the chin, midway between the adam's apple and the lower boarder of the mandible.  I use this one frequently for sore throats and such.  Also indicated for Aphasia, mutism, dysarthria, sudden loss of speech, dysphagia, speech difficulties following paralytic strokes, stammering, excessive salivation, pharyngitis, laryngitis, Pseudobulbar palsy, speech disorders from parkinson's.

Ren24, in the middle of the mental labial groove, in the depression between the point of the chin and the midpoint of the lower lip.  Indicated for facial paralysis, trigeminal neuralgia, toothache of the lower incissors, swelling of the gums, excessive salivation.  It is a good anesthetic point for tooth extraction.