Mu 11.17 木 – Master Tung’s Acupuncture Point

Mu 11.17 木穴 “Wood” – Master Tung’s Acupuncture point

The meaning of this point is “wood” suggesting that this point is indicative for liver channel disharmony.

Location:

Two point group on the palmar side of the index finger, along the ulnar side of the first phalange. Divide the first phalange into evenly longitudinal thirds, choose the D line (the Ulnar line) and separate it into 3 even parts. The points will be located at the junctions of the 1/3 and 2/3 segments.

In Taiwan Dr. Hu Wen Zhi and his student Dr. Li Guo Zheng use a three group set on the D line for Mu point.

Mu point is located on the Large intestine (Hand Yang Ming) channel. It can balance Lung meridian dysfunctions, therefore we can see that the indications include itchy skin, common cold. According to Zang Fu Bei Tong theory Large intestine balances Liver channel, this is also reflected in the name of the point: Wood. 11.17 is mainly used for liver qi stagnation or yang rising situations.

Needle: Perpendicular 0.2-0.3 cun.

Reaction area: Liver, Stomach, Lung.

Main Functions:

The point is between the Jing-well point and the Ying- spring point of the large intestine. From the five transporting point of view we know that Jing- well point can treat the head, open the orifices. Ying – spring points can influence the senses: the eyes, nose, throat. This point is located on the Large intestine channel which ends near the nose. Liver is also reaching the head, it can influence the forehead and effect the nose and the sinuses. Wood point is corresponding with wind, it can treat wind pathology as common cold or itching. therefore, we can conclude that 11.17 point can clear heat from the liver and gall bladder channels, open the orifices, expel wind.

Indications:

1. For liver qi stagnation or liver yang rising symptoms: irritability,  liver overacting spleen or stomach, hypochondriac pain, bitter taste, tinnitus, skin itching.
2. Eye diseases: blurred vision, short sight, eye tics, glaucoma, swelling of the eye lid, eye dryness. The point affect the eyes through harmonizing the liver meridian.
3. Nasal symptoms: common cold, sinusitis, allergy.

Please remember that the usages can vary, but it will always include liver channel disharmony.

Major combinations:

1. For eye dryness, eye tics add upper 3 yellows 【上三黄】 (88.12+13+14).
2. For pre menstrual symptoms add on the opposite side Liv 2+3.
3. For nasal congestion or sinusitis add Da bai (22.04), san cha san (22.17).

Related articles:

Master Tung’s 11.06 Huan Chao Acupuncture point