Taibai (SP3)
Taibai (SP3), “Supreme White”, is a point on the Spleen meridian. It is point 3 of the 21 on the channel. Yuan-Source of Spleen.
Location
On the medial border of the foot, in the depression proximal and inferior to the 1st metatarsal head.
Functions according to tradition
Yuan-Source of Spleen. Tonifies Spleen Qi, transforms Dampness, strengthens the center, treats all Spleen-Stomach syndromes.
Traditional indications
- Post-meal fatigue
- Slow digestion
- Abdominal distension
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Knee pain
Indications described by tradition; they do not amount to proven clinical effectiveness for each one.
What its classification means
Where the original Qi of the organ manifests. Tradition uses it both to examine and to treat the channel's organ.
Third of the transport points: the Qi “flows”. It is associated with heaviness of the body and joint pain; in the yin channels it coincides with the Source point.
Precautions
No specific contraindications.
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.
- ST25 Tianshu (Stomach): Abdominal distension, Constipation, Diarrhea
- ST36 Zusanli (Stomach): Diarrhea, Knee pain, Vomiting
- BL25 Dachangshu (Bladder): Abdominal distension, Constipation, Diarrhea
- BL21 Weishu (Bladder): Slow digestion, Vomiting
- BL50 Weicang (Bladder): Abdominal distension, Constipation
- CV10 Xiawan (Ren Mai (Conception Vessel)): Abdominal distension, Slow digestion
Point profile
- Code
- SP3
- Pinyin name
- Tài Bái
- Characters
- 太白
- Translation
- Supreme White
- Meridian
- Spleen
- Element
- Earth
- Classification
- Yuan-Source, Shu-Stream
- Topics
- Digestion, Spleen, Fatigue
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.
