Ligou (LV5)
Ligou (LV5), “Woodworm Canal”, is a point on the Liver meridian. It is point 5 of the 14 on the channel. Luo-Connecting of the Liver: drains Damp-Heat from the lower Jiao and relieves genital itching.
Location
On the anteromedial aspect of the leg, at the centre of the medial surface of the tibia, 5 cun above the medial malleolus.
Functions according to tradition
Luo-Connecting of the Liver: drains Damp-Heat from the lower Jiao and relieves genital itching.
Traditional indications
- Genital itching
- Vaginal discharge
- Irregular menstruation
- Urinary retention
- Hernia
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
From here the collateral that links the channel to its interior-exterior partner departs, which is why it is credited with acting on both channels at once.
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.
- GB26 Daimai (Gallbladder): Hernia, Irregular menstruation, Vaginal discharge
- BL30 Baihuanshu (Bladder): Irregular menstruation, Vaginal discharge
- CV2 Qugu (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Urinary retention, Vaginal discharge
- CV7 Yinjiao (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Irregular menstruation, Vaginal discharge
- KI8 Jiaoxin (Kidney): Hernia, Irregular menstruation
- ST29 Guilai (Stomach): Hernia, Vaginal discharge
Point profile
- Code
- LV5
- Pinyin name
- Lí Gōu
- Characters
- 蠡沟
- Translation
- Woodworm Canal
- Meridian
- Liver
- Element
- Wood
- Classification
- Luo-Connecting
- Topics
- Genital, Menstruation, Damp
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.
