Large Intestine Channel

1
ERJIAN L.I.-2
Second Space
Ying-Spring and Water point of the Large
Intestine channel
LOCATION
On the radial border of the index finger, in a depression
just distal to the metacarpo-phalangeal joint.
LOCATION NOTE
This point will be easier to find if the index finger is
relaxed in a slightly flexed position.
NEEDLING
i. Oblique proximal or distal insertion 0.2 to 0.3 cun; ii.
Perpendicular-oblique insertion towards the palm, 0.5 cun.
ACTIONS
Expels wind, clears heat and reduces swelling
Alleviates pain
INDICATIONS
Toothache, pain and swelling of the lower cheek,
acute weeping eczema of the face, deviation of the
mouth and eye, nosebleed, rhinitis, throat painful ob-
struction, dry mouth, cloudy vision, eye diseases,
yellow eyes.
Febrile disease, cold shivering, acute food stagnation.
Injury by cold with water binding the chest and lat-
eral costal region, propensity to fright, somnolence.
Pain and stiffness of the shoulder and back, cold and
pain at the point Jianyu L.I.-15.
COMMENTARY
According to the Classic of Difficulties
3
ying-spring points
are indicated for heat in the body. Erjian L.I.-2, the ying-
spring point of the Large Intestine channel, clears heat
and expels wind from the upper reaches of the channel in
the teeth, nose, face, throat and eyes.
It is useful to view the Large Intestine channel in rela-
tionship both to the Lung channel, with which it is
interiorly-exteriorly coupled, and to the Stomach channel
with which it is paired according to six channel theory
(yangming). The Large Intestine channel may be seen as
the exterior reflection of the Lung, and its distal points
such as Erjian L.I.-2 are used to expel wind-heat from the
exterior portion of the Lung, especially the throat and
nose, being indicated for sore throat, rhinitis and nose-
bleed accompanied by fever and shivering. As far as the
Stomach is concerned, accumulated heat in the Stomach
and Large Intestine may be transmitted along the hand
yangming channel and give rise to inflammation of the
throat, dry mouth and toothache. Various classical sources
have emphasised the use of Erjian L.I.-2 for toothache,
rather than the more commonly-used Hegu L.I.-4, which
may be seen as a reflection of the dynamic and urgent
quality of the more distal point. Although the Large
Intestine channel does not reach the eye, its coupled
yangming Stomach channel originates at the eye and this
explains the ability of Erjian L.I.-2 to treat eye diseases.
The indications for Erjian L.I.-2 include propensity to
fright and somnolence. It also appears in combination for
toothache with lumbar pain, and, with several points of
the Kidney channel, for somnolence. These indications
hint at Kidney disharmony, and it may be that as the water
point of the Large Intestine metal channel, Erjian L.I.-2
was considered effective in the treatment of deficiency
patterns of the Kidneys.
Finally the Large Intestine muscle and divergent chan-
nels both connect with the spine, and Erjian L.I.-2 is
indicated for pain and stiffness of the shoulder and back.
COMBINATIONS
Toothache and lumbar pain accompanied by throat
painful obstruction: Erjian L.I.-2 and Yangxi L.I.-5
(Ode of Xi-hong).
Toothache of the lower jaw: Erjian L.I.-2, Shangyang
L.I.-1, Yanggu SI-5, Yemen SJ-2 and Sidu SJ-9 (Thou-
sand Ducat Formulas).
Toothache: Erjian L.I.-2 and Quanliao SI-18 (System-
Sanjian L.I. 3
Erjian L.I.-2
Shangyang L.I.-1
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Lung
L. Intestine
Stomach
Spleen
Heart
S. Intestine
Bladder
Kidney
Pericardium
Sanjiao
Gall Bladder
Liver
Conception
Governing
Extra Points
See Notes
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Large Intestine Channel 2
atic Classic).
Rhinitis with nose bleed: Erjian L.I.-2, Yingxiang
L.I.-20 and Fengfu DU-16 (Great Compendium).
Pain of the eye: Erjian L.I.-2, Yangxi L.I.-5, Daling
P-7, Sanjian L.I.-3, Qiangu SI-2 and Shangxing DU-23
(Great Compendium).
Somnolence: Erjian L.I.-2, Shouwuli L.I.-13, Taixi
KID-3, Dazhong KID-4 and Zhaohai KID-6 (Supple-
menting Life).
Somnolence: Erjian L.I.-2, Sanjian L.I.-3, Taixi KID-3,
Zhaohai KID-6, Baihui DU-20, Tianjing GB-21, Lidui
ST-45 and Ganshu BL-18 (Great Compendium).
Excessive fright: Erjian L.I.-2, Yinxi HE-6, Jianshi P-5
and Lidui ST-45 (Supplementing Life).
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Combinations Index
Points Index General Index Indications Index Point Names Index Glossary
Next Point Previous Point
CONTENTS
Lung
L. Intestine
Stomach
Spleen
Heart
S. Intestine
Bladder
Kidney
Pericardium
Sanjiao
Gall Bladder
Liver
Conception
Governing
Extra Points
See Notes