Traditional Chinese Medicine channel
Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) Channel
任脉Not associatedNot tied to a specific time24 pointsCV1 → CV24
Description
The Ren Mai, or Conception Vessel, is one of the eight Extraordinary Vessels and governs all the Yin of the body. Known as the “Sea of the Yin Channels,” it runs along the anterior midline of the body, from the perineum to the chin. It regulates Yin, nourishes the reproductive organs, and controls the Body Fluids. Imbalances can show up as gynecological, reproductive, digestive, and respiratory problems. It is essential for nourishment, fertility, and the capacity to receive and nurture, both physically and emotionally, and it is fundamental for conception and embryonic development.
Main functions
- Governs the Yin channels
- Nourishes the uterus
- Regulates the Body Fluids
Pathway
It begins at the perineum (CV1), rises along the anterior midline of the body, passes through the abdomen, chest, and throat, and ends at the chin (CV24).
The vessel in the classics
Like the Du Mai, the Ren Mai falls outside the twelve channels of the Jing Mai chapter. The Suwen (Basic Questions), in the Gu Kong Lun chapter (骨空論), describes it in a single sentence: «任脈者，起於中極之下，以上毛際，循腹裏，上關元，至咽喉，上頤循面入目». It begins below Zhongji, CV3, rises over the pubic hair and through the interior of the abdomen, passes Guanyuan, CV4, reaches the throat, rises along the chin, travels over the face, and enters the eyes. The Nanjing (Classic of Difficulties), in Difficulty 28, repeats the course as far as the throat.
The name is usually translated as Conception Vessel, and the text on its diseases points in that direction. The same chapter of the Suwen says: «任脈為病，男子內結七疝，女子帶下瘕聚», in men it produces the seven kinds of internal hernia, and in women, discharges and masses in the abdomen. The Wu Yin Wu Wei chapter (五音五味) of the Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot) says that the Ren and the Chong arise in the uterus, «起於胞中», and that eunuchs do not grow beards because those vessels do not reach to nourish their lips.
Its branch, according to the Jing Mai chapter, is «任脈之別，名曰尾翳», Weiyi, the ancient name of Jiuwei, CV15, which descends from the tip of the sternum and spreads over the abdomen. The line of points now runs from CV1, at the perineum, to CV24, below the lower lip, near where the Du Mai ends at the gum.
