Huangshu (KI16)
Huangshu (KI16), “Vitals Shu”, is a point on the Kidney meridian. It is point 16 of the 27 on the channel. Regulates Qi around the umbilicus and relieves constipation and abdominal pain.
Location
On the abdomen, 0.5 cun lateral to the centre of the umbilicus.
Functions according to tradition
Regulates Qi around the umbilicus and relieves constipation and abdominal pain.
Traditional indications
- Constipation
- Periumbilical pain
- Diarrhoea
- Hernia
- Jaundice
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
At this point the channel crosses the Penetrating Vessel (Chong Mai, 冲脉), called the “sea of Blood”, one of the eight extraordinary vessels.
Precautions
No specific precautions are described beyond the general ones for acupuncture. Needling must always be performed by a trained professional.
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.
- SP14 Fujie (Spleen): Diarrhoea, Hernia, Periumbilical pain
- SP13 Fushe (Spleen): Constipation, Hernia
- BL48 Yanggang (Bladder): Diarrhoea, Jaundice
- BL49 Yishe (Bladder): Diarrhoea, Jaundice
- GV6 Jizhong (Du Mai (Governing Vessel)): Diarrhoea, Jaundice
- SP16 Fuai (Spleen): Constipation
Point profile
- Code
- KI16
- Pinyin name
- Huāng Shū
- Characters
- 肓俞
- Translation
- Vitals Shu
- Meridian
- Kidney
- Element
- Water
- Classification
- Chong Mai
- Topics
- Digestion, Intestine, Pain
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.
