Explanation
LU-7 LlEQUE BRANCHING CLEFT
BOX 54.7 LU-7: SUMMARY OF FUNCTIONS
• Releases the Exterior to expel exterior Wind.
• Sneezing in allergic rhinitis.
• Affects the head: headache.
• Treats the effects of worry, sadness and grief.
• Affects menstruation (with KI-6).
• Affects the Bladder and opens Water passages (urinary retention).
• It may make Oi rise to the head to treat sadness and poor memory.
Affects the Large Intestine and defecation (constipation in the elderly)
Nature
Connecting (Luo) point
Opening point of the Directing Vessel (Ren Mai)
One of the 12 Heavenly Star points of Ma Dan Yang.
Actions
Promotes the descending and diffusing of Lung-Qi
Releases the Exterior and expels exterior Wind
Opens the Directing Vessel
Benefits the Bladder and opens Water passages
Benefits the head and neck
Regulates the ascending and descending of Qi in the
head
Opens the nose
Communicates with the Large Intestine channel.
ndications
Cough, wheezing, breathlessness, sneezing
Aversion to cold and fever
Retention of lochia, retention of dead fetus, postpartum
aphasia, pain in the penis, pain in the
external genitalia, nocturnal emissions
Blood in the urine, painful urination, difficult urination
Headache, stiffness and pain of the neck, deviation of
eye and mouth, toothache
Poor memory, palpitations, propensity to (inappropriate)
laughter, frequent yawning
Nasal polyps, nasal congestion and discharge.
Comments
This is an extremely important point. It is a major
point to release the Exterior in invasions of exterior
Wind-Cold or Wind-Heat. This point contributes to the
elimination of the pathogenic factor by stimulating the
descending and diffusing of Lung-Qi, thus releasing
the Lungs' Defensive-Qi portion and stimulating
sweating. The Lungs control the space between the
skin and muscles where Defensive Qi circulates, and
spread fluids all over the skin. The use of this point
(with-reducing method) will stimulate the circulation
of the Defensive Qi and open the pores to cause
sweating . .
LU-7 . is therefore used in the beginning stages of
common cold or influenza, with sneezing, stiff neck,
headache, aversion to cold, fever and a Floating pulse.
In treating exterior invasions of Wind-Cold or WindHeat
it is often combined with LI-4 Hegu, as they
both release the Exterior. This combination is called
'Guest-Host' as the Connecting channel of the Lungs
(the 'Guest') joins with the Large Intestine channel
(the 'Host').
Because of the Lung's connection with the nose,
LU-7 is used to treat sneezing, nasal obstruction,
runny nose and loss of the sense of smell. In all these
cases, it would be combined with LI-20 Yingxiang. As
this point promotes the diffusing of Lung-Qi and opens
the nose, it is also an important point in the treatment
of allergiC rhinitis.
Far from being used only in exterior patterns, LU-7
Lieque has a very wide-ranging energetiC action in
interior patterns too. It is the best point on the Lung
channel to stimulate the descending of Lung-Qi and
it is therefore a very important point to use in all types
of cough or asthma, whether acute or chronic.
LU-7 is also one of the best points to affect the
face and head and can be used in combination with
other points to direct the effect of the treatment to face
and head. Because of this, it is very frequently used
in headaches.
In my experience, LU-7 is a very important pOint
from the psychological and emotional point of view,
and can be used in emotional problems caused by
worry, grief or sadness. LU-7 is particularly indicated
in cases in which the person bears his or her problems
in silence and keeps them inside. LU-7 tends to stimulate
a beneficial outpouring of repressed emotions. Weeping
is the sound associated with the Lungs according to the
Five Elements, and those who have been suppressing
their emotions may burst out crying when this point
is used or shortly after. 'Tendency to crying' is listed as
a prominent indication for LU-7 in the 'Explanation of
the Acupuncture POints'.9
The Lungs are the residence of the Corporeal Soul
(Po) and this point will release the emotional tensions
of the Corporeal Soul manifesting on a physical level
with tense shoulders, shallow breathing and a feeling
of oppression in the chest. These symptoms are often
due to excessive worrying over a long period of time
preventing the free breathing of the Corporeal Soul
and constraining the Lung energy. LU-7 will calm the
Mind, settle the Corporeal Soul, open the chest and
release tension.
Being the Connecting point, it is very useful and
effective in channel problems of the Large Intestine
and Lung channels. It is often used as a distal point
for Painful Obstruction Syndrome of the shoulder,
if the problem is along the Large Intestine channel. In
these cases, LU-7 is often used on the opposite side
to where the problem is.
As LU-7 opens the Directing Vessel, some of its indications
are for problems following labour and problems
of the external genitalia. Its effect in promoting the
expulsion of lochia or of a dead fetus is also related
to its action of stimulating the descending of Qi. However,
as indicated in chapter 52, to open the extraordinary
vessels I use both the opening and coupled
points, in the case of the Directing Vessel, LU-7 Lieque
and KI-6 Zhaohai.
In conjunction with KI-6 Zhaohai, it opens the
Directing Vessel, stimulates the descending of Lung-Qi
and the Kidney function of receiving Qi. Because of
this, it is beneficial in chronic asthma from Lung and
Kidney deficiency. The combination of LU-7 and KI-6
nourishes Yin. regulates the uterus and the menstrual
function. benefits the throat and moistens the eyes.
It is excellent for a dry and sore throat deriving from
Yin deficiency.
The Lungs are indirectly related to the Bladder
and control the Water passages. LU-7 is the main point
on the Lung channel to affect the Lung function of
opening the Water passages. It therefore can be used
in oedema of the face or urinary retention in Excess
patterns. when an exterior pathogenic factor obstructs
the descending of Lung-Oi: this results in Lung-Oi
being unable to open the Water passages and connect
with the Bladder. In this case. it is needled with
reducing method.
It is also effective in urinary retention of the Empty
type. when deficient Lung-Oi fails to descend and
communicate with the Bladder. This gives rise to
urinary retention of the Deficient type and is particularly
common in the elderly. In this case it is needled
with reinforcing method.
Interestingly. although this pOint is very much
used to promote the descending of Lung-Oi. it may
also promote the ascending of clear Oi to the Heart
and head: for this reason. it is used for poor memory.
palpitations. propensity to (inappropriate) laughter.
crying and frequent yawning due to the failure of the
clear Oi to rise to the Heart and head so that the Mind
and Corporeal Soul suffer. The 'Explanation of the
Acupuncture Points' specifically says: 'In forgetfulness
due to insufficient riSing of Qi. reinforce LU-7 Lieque to
promote the ascending of Qi.'l0
Lung-Oi also communicates with the Large Intestine
and, in my experience, it provides the Oi necessary for
the act of defecation. When Lung-Oi is weak, it may fail
to communicate with the Large Intestine and constipation
ensues. This constipation is of the Deficient
type and is common in old people. It is characterized by
difficulty in passing stools. or passing them with great
strain and feeling exhausted afterwards. In these cases.
LU-7 will tonify Lung-Oi and help it to reach the Large
Intestine to give it strength for the act of defecation.
I use the combination of LU-7 Lieque and ST-40
Fenglong frequently. often on opposite sides (e.g. LU-7
on the left and ST-40 on the right or vice versa).
This combination can resolve Phlegm from the Lungs
as both these points affect the chest, LU-7 regulates
the Water passages and resolves Phlegm by making
Oi descend, while ST-40 opens the chest and resolves
Phlegm in general. I use this combination also simply
to open the chest when there is stagnation of Oi from
emotional stress.
I have changed the translation of the name of this
point from Broken Sequence to Branching Cleft in
accordance with Zhang Sheng Xing's 1\ Compilation
of Explanations of the Meaning of the Acupuncture
Points ames'. II According to Dr Zhang, 'lie' has
the meaning of 'coming apart' and 'que' that of 'cleft,
opening'. 'Branching cleft' therefore refers to the fact
that LU-7 is located in a cleft of the bone and at
this point the channel branches outwards towar.d the
Large Intestine channeL This interpretation :of this
point's name is also found in the 'Explanation of the
Acupuncture Points' which says: 'The Lung channel
deviates towards the Large Intestine channel at LU-7: here
there is a cleft from which the Connecting [Luo] channel
of the Lungs goes towards the Large Intestine channel. 0] 2
Box 54.7 summarizes the functions of LU-7.