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Large Intestine Meridian (Yang Ming)

LI Shou Yang Ming Da Chang Jing 手阳明大肠经 Metaal Yang Ming 📍 20 points ➡️ Hand → Gezicht 🔗 Paired with LU 🕐 05:00–07:00

Introduction & pathophysiology

The Large Intestine Meridian (Yang Ming) regulates the elimination of waste and works closely with the Lungs. In dysfunction, we see constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, skin conditions like acne, and facial pain. The 20 points run from the index finger via the arm to the face. The peak hour is from 05:00 to 07:00.

Functions within TCM

1. Regulates elimination of waste
2. Works with Lungs for skin health
3. Regulates throat and teeth
4. Influences the face and nose
5. Defends against external pathogens

Clinical applications

**Digestive system:** Constipation, diarrhea, IBS
**Skin:** Acne, eczema, urticaria
**ENT:** Sore throat, toothache, sinusitis
**Face:** Facial pain, trigeminal neuralgia
**Immune system:** Colds, fever, allergies

Primary dysfunction patterns

Large Intestine HeatConstipation, dry stool, red tongueLarge Intestine ColdDiarrhea, abdominal pain, warmth seekingQi stagnationBloating, flatulenceBlood stagnationSharp abdominal pain, constipation

Key points

LI-4Headache, facial pain, toothache, labor inductionLI-11Fever, skin rash, hypertensionLI-15Shoulder pain, frozen shoulderLI-20Stuffy nose, sinusitis, loss of smell

Point selection per pattern

Large Intestine HeatLI-4, LI-11ST-44Large Intestine ColdLI-4(moxa), ST-25(moxa)CV-4Qi stagnationLI-4, LI-6ST-25, CV-6Blood stagnationLI-4, LI-10SP-10, BL-17

All points of the Large Intestine Meridian (Yang Ming)

LI-1

Metal Yang

Shangyang

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-2

Second Point

Erjian

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-3

Third Point

Sanjian

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-4

Junction Valley

Hegu

📍 On the dorsum of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, approximately at the midpoint of the 2nd metacarpal

💊 Headache, migraine, facial pain, nasal congestion, toothache, sore throat, stress, general pain, labor induction

📖 View details

LI-5

Yang Stream

Yangxi

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-6

Diverging Passage

Pianli

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-7

Warm Flow

Wenliu

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-8

Lower Point at the Border

Xialian

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-9

Upper Point at the Border

Shanglian

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-10

Arm Three Miles

Shousanli

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-11

Pool at the Bend

Quchi

📍 At the lateral end of the elbow crease, midway between the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and the biceps tendon

💊 Fever, Allergy, urticaria, eczema, hypertension, shoulder and elbow pain, immune disorders, constipation

📖 View details

LI-12

Elbow Bone Hole

Zhouliao

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-13

Arm Five Miles

Shouwuli

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-14

Upper Arm

Binao

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-15

Shoulder and Clavicle

Jianyu

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-16

Large Bone

Jugu

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-17

Head's Tripod

Tianding

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-18

Beside the Prominence

Futu

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-19

Mouth Grain Hole

Kouheliao

📍 Along the Large Intestine meridian pathway on the hand, arm, shoulder, face

💊 Headache, facial pain, toothache, nasal congestion, sore throat, shoulder and arm pain, digestive disorders

📖 View details

LI-20

Receiving Fragrance

Yingxiang

📍 In the nasolabial groove, at the level of the ala nasi

💊 Nasal congestion, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, facial paralysis, loss of smell, nosebleeds

📖 View details

Contraindications & safety

LI-4Contraindicated during pregnancy - can induce laborLI-11Avoid with lymphedema after breast cancerLI-4Caution with coagulation disorders

Relation with other meridians

Exterior-interior with Lung (LU)
Cooperation with Stomach (ST) for elimination
Reinforcing back points: BL-25, BL-24

Clinical notes

Large Intestine time: 05:00-07:00
Waking before sunrise may indicate bowel issues
LI-4 is the most important pain relieving point

Comorbidity & drug interactions

LaxativesEnhance LI-4 effect - adjust dosageAntibioticsMay disrupt gut flora - support SpleenOpioidsWorsen constipation - combine with ST-25

Prognostic signs

Full, rapid pulse|Acute - quick results
Weak, slow pulse|Chronic - long-term care
Short, weak pulse|Moderate prognosis

Conclusion

The Large Intestine Meridian is essential for digestive issues, skin diseases, and facial pain.