Ranggu Acupoint is the name of a meridian acupoint in the human body, also known as Longyuan or Rangu. It is a fire acupoint of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian. Ranggu Acupoint is located on the medial side of the foot, below the prominence of the navicular bone, at the junction of red and white skin. In ancient times, diabetes was referred to as "xiao ke" (literally meaning thirst with emaciation), and since Ranggu Acupoint has the function of treating thirst, it is believed in traditional Chinese medicine that massaging Ranggu Acupoint can treat diabetes.
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Explanation of the Name of Ranggu Acupoint:
1. Ranggu
Rang means burning. Gu means the gap between two mountains. The name of this acupoint implies that the extraneous water of the kidney meridian is extensively vaporized here.
This acupoint contains the water from the Yongquan acupoint of the kidney meridian, which is warm and hot in nature. After reaching this acupoint, the water vaporizes in large quantities, just like being burned and evaporated, hence the name Ranggu.
2. Longyuan
Long means something that is unpredictable and can transform, something that can be big or small but its head cannot be seen. In this context, it refers to the various changes of the water in the meridian at this acupoint.
Yuan means deep, extensive. Longyuan implies that the water in the meridian is transformed from liquid to gas at this acupoint, with a huge range. The meaning is the same as Ranggu. Longquan has the same meaning as Longyuan.
3. Kidney Meridian Ying Point
Ying means a very small water flow. The transformation of the water in this acupoint is cooling and descending. The liquid that descends in the earth part forms a very small water flow, so it is called the kidney meridian ying point.
4. This Acupoint Belongs to Fire
Belongs to fire refers to the five-element property manifested by the changes in the circulation of qi and blood in this acupoint.
The substance of this acupoint is the water vapor from the lower part of the sky. Its transformation is cooling and descending, and the heat it dispels goes straight up to the upper part of the sky, exhibiting the characteristics of fire, hence it belongs to fire.
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Location of Ranggu Acupoint:
1. Standard Location
Ranggu Acupoint is located on the medial side of the foot, below the prominence of the navicular bone, at the junction of red and white skin. It is the ying point of the Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian.
2. Acupoint Selection Method
Ranggu Acupoint is located on the medial side of the foot, below the prominence of the navicular bone, at the junction of red and white skin. The acupoint can be accessed while lying supine or sitting upright.
Fast acupoint selection: Sit with the feet hanging down, and the obvious bony landmark of the inner ankle - the depression in front of the navicular bone - is the Ranggu Acupoint.
3. Acupoint Anatomy
Below Ranggu Acupoint are the skin, subcutaneous tissue, abductor hallucis muscle, and flexor hallucis longus muscle of the toes. It is supplied by branches of the medial plantar artery and the dorsalis pedis artery. It is distributed with the terminal branches of the medial cutaneous nerve of the leg and the medial plantar nerve.
The skin is innervated by the medial cutaneous nerve of the leg. This area is the transition zone between the skin of the sole and the skin of the dorsum of the foot. The abductor hallucis muscle is innervated by the medial plantar nerve, and the flexor hallucis longus muscle is innervated by the muscular branches of the tibial nerve.
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Methods of Using Ranggu Acupoint to Treat Diabetes:
Ranggu Acupoint is a ying point of the kidney meridian. Ying points belong to fire, and the kidney meridian belongs to water. The function of Ranggu Acupoint is to balance water and fire, specifically treating yin deficiency with excessive fire. Ranggu Acupoint is also an important acupoint for generating hunger sensations in the human body.
Ranggu Acupoint has significant health benefits. It is commonly used to treat restlessness, dry mouth, and sore throat. It also has certain effects on diabetes, enuresis, and nocturnal emissions.
Diabetes is a disease of abundance and wealth. In ancient times, diabetes was referred to as "xiao ke," which is different from diabetes, but similar in some ways. Ranggu Acupoint is specifically used to treat the thirst symptom associated with "xiao ke."
Massaging Ranggu Acupoint can balance water and fire, promote the secretion of saliva, enhance spleen and stomach function, and facilitate food digestion.
In Chinese medicine, excessive thirst is associated with the stomach. Massaging Ranggu Acupoint can relieve the symptom of excessive thirst in patients with diabetes of the stomach deficiency type.
Method: Use the thumb to apply pressure on Ranggu Acupoint. Release the pressure immediately when a sour and distending sensation is felt. As the pressure is released, the sour and distending sensation will immediately fade away. Then press again and release.
When the sour and distending sensation no longer fades away, stop pressing. Note that both feet should be massaged on Ranggu Acupoint. If massaging yourself, you can do both sides simultaneously.
