Characteristics
The Ren Mai meridian is one of the eight extraordinary meridians. It is also known as the Conception Vessel.
Ren Mai circulates along the midline of the body on the anterior surface. The Governing Vessel also circulates along the midline, but on the posterior surface. Ren Mai and Governing Vessel are the only extraordinary meridians with their own points.
Ren Mai circulates Kidney Essence to the Yin meridians. It governs the cycles of development, reproduction, childbirth, menopause, and andropause.
It circulates Yin: nourishes and moistens the body.
Pathway
It originates at the same location where the Governing Vessel originates (Dan Tien). It directs toward CV-1, between the anus and genitals, and divides into two pathways:
External pathway
It reaches the genitals and ascends along the midline passing through the abdomen, passing through the umbilicus, the sternum, the throat and reaches the center of the mento-labial groove (CV-24). It branches contours the lips internally and connects with GV-28. Finally it ascends toward the cheek and connects with ST-1 where it unites with the Stomach meridian and Yin Stepping Vessel.
Internal pathway
From CV-1 it reaches the tip of the coccyx, penetrates the spine and rises to the first thoracic vertebrae.
Points
- CV-1. Hui Yin.
- CV-2. Qu Gu.
- CV-3. Zhong Ji.
- CV-4. Guan Yuan.
- CV-5. Shi Men.
- CV-6. Qi Hai.
- CV-7. Yin Jiao.
- CV-8. Shen Que.
- CV-9. Shui Fen.
- CV-10. Xia Wan.
- CV-11. Jian Li.
- CV-12. Zhong Wan.
- CV-13. Shang Wan.
- CV-14. Ju Que.
- CV-15. Jiu Wei Connecting point.
- CV-16. Zhong Ting.
- CV-17. Shan Zhong.
- CV-18. Yu Tang.
- CV-19. Zi Gong.
- CV-20. Hua Gai.
- CV-21. Xuan Ji.
- CV-22. Tian Tu.
- CV-23. Lian Quan.
- CV-24. Cheng Jiang.
Opening and Closing Points
- Opening key point. LU-7.
- Coupled closing point. KI-6.
- Connecting point CV-15. See: Connecting point of Ren Mai.
Ren Mai Connections
Ren Mai connects with the Three Burners. Each Burner has its point to mobilize energy:
Ren Mai is the sea of the Yin meridians and has the following crossing points:
- CV-1. Governing Vessel, Penetrating Vessel, Kidney.
- CV-2. Liver.
- CV-3. Liver, Spleen, Kidney (three Yin of the foot).
- CV-4. Kidney, Spleen, Liver (three Yin of the foot).
- CV-7. Penetrating Vessel.
- CV-10. Spleen.
- CV-12. Liver.
- CV-17. Pericardium, Heart, Lung (three Yin of the hand).
- CV-22 and CV-23. Yin Linking Vessel.
- CV-24. Stomach.
Ren Mai Front-Mu Points
Ren Mai contains several Front-Mu points:
- CV-3. Bladder.
- CV-4. Small Intestine.
- CV-5. Triple Burner.
- CV-12. Stomach.
- CV-14. Heart.
- CV-17. Pericardium.
Connecting Channel of Ren Mai
It originates in CV-15 and distributes through the skin of the abdomen (does not penetrate).
Symptoms of the Connecting Channel of Ren Mai:
- Fullness: pain of abdominal skin.
- Emptiness: itching of the chest and abdomen.
Symptoms of Ren Mai
Areas of influence of Ren Mai: Genitals, abdomen, chest, lungs, throat and face.
Ancient Texts
- Classic of Difficulties: "When the Ren Mai is affected, Qi blocks and stagnates in the abdomen. In men it manifests as seven types of hernia and they say in women it manifests as eight types of accumulated masses."
- Vessel Classic: The interior is knotted: in men seven types of hernia, in women eight degrees of accumulation.
- Great Compendium of Acupuncture and Moxibustion: Pain of the abdomen, chest and heart. Sensation of a knot in the throat, hemorrhoids, diarrhea, intestinal borborygmus, melena, pain and swelling of the teeth (gums), difficult urination, retention of dead fetus, retention of placenta, post-partum fainting, lower backache and cold around the umbilicus. Mastitis. All these symptoms are treated through LU-7.
Lower Burner Symptoms
- In the lower abdomen, treats concentrations of energy and accumulated masses. As Ren Mai circulates energy in this zone, it is very important. CV-4 is the most important point, together with (CV-3, CV-6). Women with cold feet should be moxabustioned at CV-4.
- In men it treats seven types of hernia (may be hernia or also pain with swelling at the inguinal level), hydrocele, prostatic and urinary problems. Lin Syndrome: post-void dribbling, interrupted stream, weak stream. Infertility.
- Gynecological disorders: amenorrhoea, dysmenorrhea, Female infertility.
- Opening key point: CV-6.
Middle Burner Symptoms
In many cases digestive problems should be treated at the level of Penetrating Vessel. At the level of Ren Mai:
- Digestion: sensation of food not descending, reflux, etc.
- Systematic points for non-descending of the stomach: 10 ancient needles has four important points of Ren Mai (6,10,12,13).
===Upper Burner Symptoms===.
- Shortness of breath, blockage at the chest level, cough, phlegm, all respiratory problems...
- Key points: CV-17.
Facial Pathway
- Acne (chin mainly), teeth problems, tongue problems.
- Key point: CV-24.
Dorsal Branch Pathway
The secondary branch of Ren Mai is important: lower backache, thoracic pain.
How to distinguish whether to treat Governing Vessel or Ren Mai? The difference is that if it is Governing Vessel, the pain is very well localized. If it is Ren Mai pain, the patient cannot localize so precisely and Ashi points are not found in the back, then palpate Ren Mai.