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Share an essential acupoint for health preservation and wellness, whose importance is second only to Zusanli. It is the Guanyuan acupoint.

The Longevity Acupoint: Guanyuan

Guan Yuan Seals and Stores the Body's True Essence

The Guan Yuan point primarily seals and stores the body's true essence. According to the theories of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) meridian systems, the Guan Yuan point is the location of the body's primordial qi. Here, "Guan" means closure and storage, and "Yuan" refers to the primordial true qi.

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that primordial qi is endowed by the innate constitution, stored in the kidneys, and further nourished by the acquired essence and qi of the postnatal state. Its main functions are to promote the body's growth and development, as well as to warm, activate, and stimulate the physiological functions of organs, meridians, and other tissues.

The Guan Yuan point acts like a valve in the human body, sealing the body's primordial qi inside to prevent its leakage. It is not only the place where men store essence and women accumulate blood but also the convergence point of the body's primordial yin and primordial yang. Through massage and moxibustion at this acupoint, one can strengthen the body, promote health, and extend longevity.

One Acupoint Surpasses One Herb, Guanyuan Excels Aconite

Traditional Chinese Medicine believes that aconite can invigorate heart yang above, warm spleen yang in the middle, and tonify kidney yang below, making it the "top-grade herb for restoring yang and rescuing from collapse." However, although its ability to warm yang is excellent, it carries toxicity and is not suitable for long-term use. Lin Min, Chief Physician at the Rehabilitation Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, stated that moxibustion on the Guanyuan acupoint can also achieve the effects of tonifying the kidneys and cultivating original qi, warming yang and securing collapse, and is safer compared to taking aconite.

The Guanyuan acupoint is the intersection point of the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian, and Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian on the Ren Meridian. It is one of the key health-preserving acupoints in the human body, with the functions of tonifying the kidneys and cultivating original qi, warming yang and securing collapse. In modern practice, it is commonly used in emergency situations for fainting due to needling during acupuncture and for cold hands and feet.

Consistent daily moxibustion on the Guanyuan acupoint can also alleviate issues such as shortness of breath and panting, aversion to cold and fear of cold, enuresis, frequent urination, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Compared to taking aconite, moxibustion on the Guanyuan acupoint is safer.

Location Method

The Guanyuan acupoint is located on the abdomen, along the anterior midline of the body, 3 cun below the center of the umbilicus. Place your hand below the navel, and the Guanyuan acupoint is located at the width of four fingers.

Functions and Indications

The Guanyuan acupoint has the effects of regulating the intestines, nourishing the liver and kidneys, regulating menstruation and stopping leukorrhea, restoring yang and preventing collapse, and strengthening the body and promoting health. It is used to treat a series of disorders of the urinary, reproductive, and digestive systems, and is particularly effective in preventing and treating conditions related to the kidneys.

Specific indications for the Guanyuan acupoint include:

① Treating abdominal distension, abdominal pain, borborygmus, and diarrhea.

② Treating frequent urination, dribbling of urine, enuresis, and urinary incontinence.

③ Treating inhibited urination and urinary retention.

④ Treats seminal emission, impotence, premature ejaculation, and male infertility.

⑤ Treats irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, postpartum abdominal pain, and infertility (these gynecological conditions often present with varying degrees of tenderness at Guanyuan (CV 4) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) acupoints). In Japan, it is common practice for young people to moxibust these points to enhance reproductive function and prevent sexually transmitted diseases. For women, it also helps regulate menstruation.

⑥ Strengthens the body, preserves health, and promotes longevity.

Health Preservation Methods

Regular massage or moxibustion of the Dantian (Guanyuan) area can enhance physical fitness, strengthen the body, and contribute to longevity and health. *The Heart Book of Bian Que* also states: "When a person is free from illness, regularly apply moxibustion to Guanyuan and Qihai... Although one may not achieve immortality, it can ensure a lifespan of over a hundred years."

**[Massage]** Place the index or middle finger of one hand on the Guanyuan point and press it, aiming for a slight sensation of soreness or swelling to achieve *deqi*. Generally, it is sufficient to massage for 3–5 minutes before bedtime.

**[Moxibustion]** Assume a supine or seated position. Once the moxa stick is lit, hold it about 2–3 cm above the point and apply indirect moxibustion until a warm sensation is felt locally without burning pain. Each moxibustion session on the Guanyuan point should last approximately 15 minutes, performed every other day or twice a week. For patients with severe deficiency-cold issues, aconite cake moxibustion may be used under medical guidance to enhance its warming and yang-tonifying effects.