THE EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY MERIDIANS: ANCIENT HORMONAL BALANCERS
According to Royston Low, a British acupuncturist, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians can "influence and control the various hormones of the body." Much of the significant research on hormonal balance is the result of the "marriage of Western and Eastern approaches," although little is documented in traditional Chinese medicine. Significant contributions have been made by adherents of the French acupuncture school - in particular, Jacques Lavier and his colleagues. Other studies have been conducted in Germany and Japan.
According to Low, the Eight Extra-ordinary Meridians can be divided into two categories: those that affect the hormones, and a paired channel that influences control via the nervous system:
| Hormonal System | Nervous System |
| yang qiao mai | du mai |
| yin qiao mai | ren mai |
| dai mai | yang wei mai |
| chong mai | yin wei mai |
HORMONAL EFFECT OF CHONG MAI/YIN WEI MAI (ROYSTON LOW)
Chong mai/yin wei mai: hormonal effect:
This meridian pair is used to address hereditary imbalances. In Chinese medicine, ancestral qi is considered to be stored in the kidneys and chong mai has its point of origin in this organ. However, according to Low, due to its symptomatology, chong mai may, in fact, arise in the adrenal medulla. Low says that "the hormone concerned is adrenalin, which has sympathetico-mimetic action, and its use is therefore indicated in cases of organ insufficiency, especially in the Heart. Yin wei mai has two actions: hormonally, it affects the thyroid gland and the nervous system (vagus nerve connection) via CV 22. Other recommended points are Liv 14 and Sp 13, 15 and 16.
Chong mai (opening point = Sp 4):
In the Ling Shu, the chong mai is described as the "Sea of Blood." The points are UB 11, St 37 and St 38. Symptoms of these points embrace a subjective feeling of fullness in the body (excess blood) and a "smallness" in the body (deficient blood). Chong mai clearly relates to blood; it has a strong effect on the digestive system, as seen by the association with St 37 and 38. In the Ling Shu, there is an interesting discussion about chong mai's blood and qi relationship, and the fact that the pathway encircles the lips and mouth:
"If the qi and blood are sufficient, the skin becomes healthy and the flesh has heat. If only the blood is sufficient, the blood moistens the skin and makes the body hair. Prenatally, women have sufficient qi, but not enough blood. The Ren Mai and chong mai cannot nourish the mouth and lips sufficiently, which is why women do not have moustaches or beards. In the eunuch, having the zang muscles (penis and testicles) cut off damages the chong mai. The beard and moustache do not grow because the chong mai cannot nourish the mouth."
I have included this quote because it relates to the hormonal function, and shows a potential relationship of the chong mai and other extraordinary vessels to the endocrine systems.
The Nan Jing refers to tension or contraction of the lining of the abdomen involving rebellious qi. Wang Shu He goes on to say: "If the Kidney qi is deficient, this deficiency damages the chong mai. The chong makes rebellious qi, which does not rise up, making the lining tense with abdominal swelling and pain."
This relationship between Kidney qi and chong mai supports the connection between the chong mai and the moving qi between the kidneys.
Symptomatology of chong mai (Low):
Chong mai is the "Sea of Blood," in that it regulates the 12 Regular Channels, the "Sea of 12 Channels." It's produced in the Middle Heater from Kidney essence and is used a great deal for gynecological and digestive orders.
Yin wei mai (opening point = P 6):
Wei means "to connect, make a network, gather other channels together." The yin and yang wei channels connect all the yin and yang channels, respectively.
Symptomatology of yin wei mai (Low):
HORMONAL EFFECTS OF DU MAI/YANG QIAO MAI
The yang qiao vessel acts on the production of ACTH, a hormone that impacts the adrenal cortex. The Chinese concept of the Kidney organ relating to the yin and yang of the entire body recognizes that this organ system also includes the adrenals. According to Low, the yang qiao also acts upon the somatotrophic hormones.
Du mai, which controls the spinal cord and brain via Du 4, "Gate of Life" or "Mingmen Fire," strengthens the kidney adrenal function, benefits kidney yang and nourishes source qi. A prescription for stimulating cortisone production via acupuncture treatments is to tonify UB 1. This acts directly on pre-pituitary to stimulate the production of both gonadotrophic and somatotrophic hormones. Small Intestine 3 also is recommended (a pituitary point, according to Kiiko Matsumoto) and UB 62.
Du mai (opening point = SI 3):
"Sea of Yang Qi" governs all the yang channels. Du means "governing" or "dominating."
Symptomatology of du mai (Low):
Yang qiao mai (opening point = UB 62):
This regulates the movement of and balances the yang qi of the left and right lateral sides of the lower extremities. It also regulates the opening function of the eyes and normalizes brain function.
Symptomatology of yang qiao mai (Low):
HORMONAL EFFECTS OF REN MAI/YIN QIAO MAI
Edema or fluid metabolism in women can be treated by the yin qiao mai via K 2, 6, and 8. The secretion of renin from the adrenal cortex can be affected by these points as well, which also impact the gonadotrophic center of the pituitary gland.
In menopause, an excess of gonadotrophic hormones is associated with waning sex hormones; the UB 1 point on the yin qiao meridian connects the anterior pituitary with the gonads and adrenal cortex.
Royston Low stipulates that the ren mai corresponds to "aspects of the pelvic parasympathetic ramifications." The use of CV 9, Lu 7 and K 6 can be especially effective in treating edema.
In summary, to stimulate waning sex hormones, use the following points:
Ren mai (opening point = Lu 7):
Ren means "bearing, controlling or conceiving." The ren channel regulates all yin channels.
Symptomatology of ren mai (Low):
Yin qiao mai (opening point = K 6):
It regulates the movement of and balances the yin qi of the left and right lateral sides of the lower extremities, as well as the closing function of the eyes; it also normalizes brain function.
Symptomatology of yin qiao mai (Low):
HORMONAL EFFECTS OF DAI MAI/YANG WEI MAI
This pairing regulates migraines caused by syndromes such as dysmenorrhea. The yang wei mai affects the nervous system via the Gallbladder and Liver meridians, and the points on the cranium, while the dai mai affects the hormonal system. Liv 13, the front mu of the spleen, and influential point of zang, is important because "unemployed sex hormones are neutralized in the liver." Severe migraines often occur as a result of excess gonadotrophic hormones.
Dai mai (opening point = GB 41):
Dai Mai means "belt" or "girdle," and it binds all the channels that travel longitudinally. It's the only channel that circulates transversely and regulates the Gallbladder channel through its confluent point, GB 41, and the waist, GB 26, 27 and 28.
Symptomatology of dai mai (Low):
Yang wei mai (opening point = TH 5):
It regulates wei or protective qi, and connects and regulates all the yang channels, dominating the exterior.
Symptomatology of yang wei mai (Low):
In addition to the above specific applications in the realm of hormonal response, the Eight Extraordinary Meridians are considered to encode fundamental hereditary aspects of the individual, what Oriental medicine terms the jing; thus, employing them in the context of a facial acupuncture treatment can have profound impact upon both the visible and implicit symptoms of the aging process, promoting healthy aging, greater quality of life and harmony.
In the next article in this series, we will explore conventional Western facial rejuvenation techniques, such as implants, fillers, Botox, resurfacing (both ablative and non-ablative, liposuction, etc.) in relation to the comparable effects of constitutional facial acupuncture renewal.
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