Overview Of The 8 Vessels

Question 0

What is the relationship of the extra meridians to the areas on the body/what they treat?

Answer 0

Du, Dai, Yang qiao/wei = treat superficial diseases of the back, shoulders, lumbar region, and thighs

Ren, Chong, Yin qiao/wei = treat internal diseases of the heart, abdomen, ribs, and sides

Question 1

What are the 4 extra vessels and their 4 pairs?

Answer 1

Du Mai = Yang qiao mai
Ren Mai = Yin qiao mai
Chong Mai = Yin Wei Mai
Dai Mai = Yang Wei Mai

Question 2

What are the (4) “general” functions of the 8 extra vessels?

Answer 2

• store excess jing & blood, to be used when the reg meridians become deficient
• connect the regular meridians to the deeper source (kidneys)
• control more fundamental components of body energetics
• provide structure: are responsible for the body’s structural support, controlling the deeper muscles and bones

Question 3

What are the (4) “specific” functions of the extra meridians?

Answer 3

• Ren & Du store yin and yang Qi
• Chong & Dai Mai circulate Qi between the yin & yang regions of the body
• yin & yang qiao distribute Qi between the yin & yang surfaces of the body
• yin & yang wei link the yin & yang aspects of Qi together

Summary:
Ren and du store the yin/yang Qi while their coupled meridian (qiao) distribute it across the yin/yang regions of the body.
Chong controls and circulates Qi between the extremities and abdomen while Dai Mai circulates Qi between the upper and lower parts of the body while their couple vessel (wei) links all the yin/yang meridians together.

Question 4

What are the 2 general properties of the extra vessels?

Answer 4

1. ) each extraordinary meridian has a master point

2. ) all the extraordinary vessels derive directly or indirectly from the kidneys

Question 5

What are the master points of each extra vessel?

Answer 5

Du = SI3              Yang qiao = UB62
Ren = LU7           Yin qiao = KID6
Chong = SP4       Yin wei = PC6
Dai = GB41          Yang wei = SJ5

Question 6

When do we use the extra vessels?

Answer 6

• when treating root problems originating between the kidneys
• maintaining balance among the jing-lou
• accessing the surplus of jing and blood stored in the extra vessels
• treating profound constitutional illness
• when nothing else is working/reg meridian treatment has failed
• symptoms that are manifested along trajectory of extra meridian
• symptoms that point to a specific extra vessel
• endocrine treatment
• meridian xs

Question 7

The extra vessels do NOT have…

Answer 7

• tonification/sedation points
• source points
• command points
• Lou points (except du & Ren)
• alarm points (except Ren)

Question 8

What are the 8 major functions of the extra vessels?

Answer 8

1) absorb excess Qi
2) act as reservoirs of Qi
3) maintain homeostasis
4) counteract perverse Qi
5) maintain the correct feeding of all systems of the body with the necessary energies of wei and ying
6) regulate life cycles
7) circulate Qi
8) treat congenital problems

Question 9

What are the 5 ancestral organs and which meridians/organ supplies them?

Answer 9

1) brain & spinal cord (brain) = du Mai
2) hepatobilary system (GB) = Dai Mai
3) genital system (uterus) = Ren, yin qiao Mai
4) blood circulation (blood vessels) = Chong, yin wei Mai
5) bone marrow (marrow & bones) = kidneys

Question 10

Which glands are associated with each extra meridian?

Answer 10

Ren = thyroid, indirectly the reproductive glands
Yin qiao = indirectly the adrenal cortex
Du = reproductive glands and adrenals
Yang qiao = pituitary, indirectly the adrenal cortex
Chong = adrenal medulla, indirectly the thyroid
Yin wei = thyroid and parathyroid, indirectly adrenal medulla
Dai Mai = reproductive glands, indirectly thyroid
Yang wei = indirectly the uterus

Question 11

Do not use the extra meridians when…

Answer 11

• deficient kidney Qi
• patient has high temp
• children
• weak, tired, aging people
• very sick people
• women during period

Question 12

Which side do you needle first in males/females?

Answer 12

Males = left side master point, coupled point on right side
Females = right side master point, left side coupled

Question 13

What is so “extraordinary” about the 8 extra vessels?

Answer 13

• do not have a distinct trajectory
• do not relate to the Zang fu but can influence them
• does not have an internal-external relationship with another channel
• deal with the body mechanism at a deeper level

Question 14

Which “sea” points correspond to Ren, Du, and Chong?

Answer 14

Ren = sea of Qi
Du = sea of marrow
Chong = sea of blood

Question 15

What are the main properties of the Lou channels?

Answer 15

• diverge from main meridians at Lou point and connect internal and external paired meridians
• have a definite trajectory
• treat xs
• are more superficial lay between the meridian and skin
• collect various pathogens that have spilled over from the reg meridians