Once the spleen and stomach are damaged, causing illness, symptoms such as fatigue, lack of vitality, dark and yellow skin, cracked lips, weak voice, low spirits, and restlessness may appear. At this time, stimulating the acupoints of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming can help protect the gastrointestinal function. Let's take a look at the diagram of the route of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming.
Route of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming
It starts at the sides of the nostrils (Yingxiang point), goes up to the root of the nose, enters the inner corner of the eye (Jingming point), intersects with the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang, goes down along the outer side of the nasal columella, passes through Chengqi and Juliao, enters the upper gingiva, comes out, surrounds the lips, and meets at the groove below the chin (Chengjiang point), then goes backward along the lower edge of the mandible to the point of Da Ying, goes up past the front of the ear, through Shangguan point, along the frontal hairline, and reaches the forehead (Touwei point).
Collateral Branches of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming
Facial collateral branches: Branching from Da Ying point, goes down to Renying point, then goes down the throat to Dazhui point, turns forward, enters Quepen, deep into the chest cavity, goes down, pierces the diaphragm, directly supplies the stomach, and connects with the Spleen Meridian.
Straight branch from the Quepen region: Emerges from the Quepen point, goes down along the midline of the abdomen, on both sides of the umbilicus (2 cun away), goes down to the inguinal region, and reaches Qichong point.
Abdominal collateral branches: Branches out from the lower orifice of the stomach, goes down through the abdominal cavity to Qichong point, meets with the straight branch from the Quepen region, then goes down the outer side of the anterior thigh, passes through the knee fossa, goes down the outer side of the anterior tibia to the foot dorsum, enters the outer side of the distal end of the second toe (Lidui point).
Knee collateral branches: Branches out from 3 cun below the knee (Zusanli point), goes down to the outer side of the third toe.
Stomach lower orifice collateral branches: Goes down along the abdomen to meet at Qichong point, then goes down the anterior side of the thigh, reaches Biguan point, goes straight to the rabbit fossa, goes down to the knee, along the outer side of the tibia, goes down to the foot dorsum, enters the outer side of the second toe (Lidui point).
Dorsum of the foot collateral branches: Branches out from the dorsum of the foot, enters the inner side of the big toe, and connects with the Spleen Meridian of Foot Taiyin.
Functions of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming
The Stomach Meridian belongs to the stomach and connects with the spleen, so it has the closest relationship with the stomach and is also related to the spleen. Therefore, the Stomach Meridian primarily treats diseases of the digestive system. In addition, it also has therapeutic effects on the nervous system, respiratory system, circulatory system, and diseases of the parts along its route.
Main Diseases Treated by the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming
Diseases of the digestive system such as gastric prolapse, intestinal paralysis, and gastrointestinal neurosis; diseases of the head, face, and sensory organs such as headache, toothache, facial nerve paralysis, and parotitis; diseases of the parts along the meridian such as chest pain, knee joint pain, and hemiplegia.
Acupoints of the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming
The main acupoints include Chengqi, Sibai, Daying, Renying, Shuitu, Ruzhong, Tianshu, Futu, Yinshi, Liangqiu, Zusanli, Fenglong, Chongyang, Xiangu, Neiting, Juliao, Dicang, Touwei, Cheche, Xiaguan, Qishe, Quepen, Qihu, Kufang, Wuyi, Burong, Liangmen, Chengman, Rugen, Yingchuang, Guanmen, Taiyi, Huaroumen, Wailing, Biguan, Qichong, Daju, Shuidao, Guilai, Dubi, Jiekou, Shangjuxu, Xiaojuxu, and Lidui, totaling 45 acupoints, 90 in total when combined with left and right sides.
Health Preservation Time for the Stomach Meridian of Foot Yangming
From 7 to 9 a.m., the qi and blood flow through the Stomach Meridian. The stomach is responsible for receiving and digesting food. The Yellow Emperor's Inner Canon states, "The spleen and stomach are the officials in charge of storage, and the five flavors come out from there." Comparing the function of the spleen and stomach's receiving and digesting to storage, it can take in food and deliver refined nutrients to nourish the whole body. When the Stomach Meridian is flourishing, it is beneficial to the digestive system. At this time, in addition to having breakfast on time, massaging the Stomach Meridian can activate the qi and blood of the Stomach Meridian and enhance the function of the digestive system.
