Zu San Li is the combined acupuncture point of the Yangming Stomach Meridian, one of the four main acupuncture points. It is considered as the most important acupoint for health in the human body, and was known as the "longevity point" by ancient people. The Yangming Stomach Meridian is a meridian with abundant Qi and blood, running from the head to the feet, and it is mainly distributed on the head, chest, abdomen, and the lateral aspect of the lower limbs. Therefore, cupping on the Zu San Li acupoint can not only regulate the function of the digestive system, but also have certain effects on diseases such as headache, toothache, mental disorders, fever, rhinitis, facial paralysis, oral ulcers, asthma, palpitations, hypertension, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Hence, there is a saying "keep Zu San Li to keep the abdomen and longevity".
The theory of the meridians related to Zu San Li has been confirmed by a large number of modern scientific studies. The Zu San Li acupoint has a regulatory effect on the cerebral cortex function, cardiovascular function, gastrointestinal motility, and endocrine function. In our country, there is a popular saying "if you want to be healthy, keep Zu San Li unblocked". In ancient times, people often used moxibustion to cause blisters and water flow on the Zu San Li acupoint to prevent diseases. In fact, cupping on the Zu San Li acupoint regularly can achieve the same or even more effective health benefits.
Georgia is a famous longevity region in the world, where a bloodletting method is prevalent. It uses a very simple tool to prick the outer side of the leg knee (which happens to be the Zu San Li acupoint) to allow blood to drip out. This method is used regularly every year, usually when the body is in good condition and there is an excess of toxins. So why do they do this? A 114-year-old Harajiya elder answered that they have become accustomed to it, and his great-grandfather taught him, "If you don't do this, you cannot live a long life."
