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CV6

Ren Mai (Conception Vessel) Channel

Sea of Qi

气海Qì Hǎi

Contraindicated during pregnancy

Sea of Qi; strongly mobilizes the Lower Jiao.

Anatomical location

On the midline, 1.5 cun below the navel.

Main function

Tonifies the Original Qi, strengthens deficiency.

Therapeutic indications

  • General weakness
  • fatigue
  • abdominal pain
  • constipation
  • exhaustion
  • abdominal distension
  • diarrhea
  • irregular menstruation
  • dysmenorrhea
  • enuresis
  • impotence
  • hernia
  • collapse
  • prolapse
  • obesity and overweight
  • hypothyroidism
  • irritable bowel syndrome
  • ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease
  • COPD and chronic bronchitis
  • low blood pressure
  • endometriosis

Name and classical tradition

Qihai, 气海, is the "Sea of Qi." 气 (氣) is qi; 海 is the sea, the place where all rivers end up. The usual reading describes it as the spot below the navel where the body's Qi gathers, and later tradition made it one of the great moxibustion points for strengthening the body and prolonging life (灸氣海).

Its oldest name is probably 脖胦. The Lingshu (Spiritual Pivot), in the chapter Jiu Zhen Shi Er Yuan (九針十二原), lists the Yuan-Source points of the organs and adds two more: "膏之原，出於鳩尾……肓之原，出於脖胦." The Yuan-Source of the gao emerges at Jiuwei, CV15, and that of the huang at Boyang, which is Qihai. Thus both terms of the old expression gao and huang, which gives BL43, Gaohuang, its name, have their point on the Ren Mai. Hence also its aliases 肓原, "origin of the huang," and 下肓.

The sources are divided between the Lingshu and the Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) as the first mention under this name. Like CV4 and CV5, Qihai is also called 丹田. Its name is mirrored on the back at BL24, Qihaishu, the Back-Shu point of the sea of Qi.

Other names

  • 脖胦Jiayi Jing
  • 下肓Jiayi Jing
Location of point CV6, Sea of Qi
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View point on the 3D modelCV6 on the anatomy
Needling techniquePerpendicular insertion 0.8-1.5 cun.
Depth0.8-1.5 cun
MoxibustionApplicable (5-10 cones or 10-20 minutes, indirect moxa)
PrecautionsAvoid deep needling so as not to injure internal organs.

Patterns that use it · 51

Classical combinations · 2

  • Support the Yuan QiGathers and sustains the Original Qi of the Lower Jiao; with moxibustion, it warms the Yang.
  • Stop diarrheaRegulates the Large Intestine through its Mu point and its lower He-Sea point; CV6 with moxa when there is Cold.

Basic formulas from the vademecum · 4

View the vademecum

Named functional sets from the school: here the point does not act on its own, but through the role it plays within the maneuver.

  • Separate the Pure from the ImpureThe Small Intestine's own function, triggered from the abdomen: CV6 as the sea of Qi, with SP15 and ST25 (the Front-Mu point of the Large Intestine) acting on transit. It returns what is usable to the body and sends what is not toward the exit.
  • WarmingMoxibustion on the Center and the sea of Qi: it warms the Yang of the Middle Jiao and roots it in the lower abdomen.
  • Tonify EnergyRaises the Qi from its root to its summit: GV4 and BL23 kindle the Mingmen, CV6 is the sea of Qi, CV12 and ST36 produce the acquired Qi, and CV17 gathers it in the chest.
  • Tonify Kidney YangPregnancyKindles the Mingmen: KI2 is the Fire point of the Kidney channel, GV4 is the Mingmen itself, BL23 is its Back-Shu point, and CV6 is the sea of Qi. It is the “tonify Yang” technique—fire point plus Back-Shu point—applied to the Kidney and expanded.
Cover of the guide “Protocols for the 20 most common patterns”

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Protocols for the 20 patterns you see most in practice

Each pattern with its tongue, its pulse, the treatment principle and the points to tonify and disperse. Made for the treatment table, not the bookshelf.

Do you use CV6 with your patients?

In the Clinic you record it in the patient's file, next to the tongue, the pulse and the measurements, so at the next session you know exactly what you used. The Atlas is built in.

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