Zhongwan (CV12)
Zhongwan (CV12), “Middle Stomach”, is a point on the Ren Mai (Conception Vessel). It is point 12 of the 24 on the channel. Front-Mu of Stomach and influential point for Fu organs.
Location
4 cun above the navel, on the midline.
Functions according to tradition
Front-Mu of Stomach and influential point for Fu organs. Harmonizes the Stomach, descends rebellious Qi, strengthens Spleen, transforms Dampness and Phlegm.
Traditional indications
- Gastritis
- Nausea and vomiting
- Abdominal distension
- Indigestion
- Gastric ulcer
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Reflux
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
On the chest or abdomen, where the Qi of an organ “gathers”. Its tenderness to pressure guides diagnosis; it is used more in acute conditions and those of the fu organs.
One of the eight points that tradition credits with a special influence over a tissue or substance: Qi, Blood, tendons, marrow, vessels, bones, zang organs or fu organs.
Precautions
Do not use in active gastric ulcer with severe pain. Caution during pregnancy.
Points on other channels with similar indications
They share several traditional indications with this point. Comparing them helps understand why one or the other is chosen.
- ST21 Liangmen (Stomach): Abdominal distension, Gastritis
- SP15 Daheng (Spleen): Abdominal distension, Diarrhea
- SP3 Taibai (Spleen): Abdominal distension, Diarrhea
- SP4 Gongsun (Spleen): Diarrhea, Gastric ulcer
- SP9 Yinlingquan (Spleen): Abdominal distension, Diarrhea
- ST25 Tianshu (Stomach): Abdominal distension, Diarrhea
Point profile
- Code
- CV12
- Pinyin name
- Zhōng Wǎn
- Characters
- 中脘
- Translation
- Middle Stomach
- Meridian
- Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)
- Classification
- Front-Mu (ST), Influential point of Fu organs
- Topics
- Digestion, Stomach, Nausea
Health notice. Educational and study content. It describes concepts of Traditional Chinese Medicine and does not replace diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional. Needling, medicinal herbs and invasive techniques must be applied by trained professionals. Safety guide.
