Spleen Channel
Encircling Splendor
周荣Zhōu RóngAnatomical location
In the second intercostal space, 6 cun lateral to the anterior midline.
Main function
Regulates the Qi of the chest, strengthens the Spleen, relieves cough.
Therapeutic indications
- Cough
- dyspnea
- chest pain
- chest distension
- chest and costal pain
- hiccups
- difficulty swallowing
Name and classical tradition
Zhourong, 周荣, means “Encircling Splendor.” 周 is to surround, to extend across the entire periphery; 荣 (榮) is flourishing, like that of plants in bloom. The point lies in the upper chest, and a modern gloss understands that damp Qi vaporizes here and covers the whole region.
The history of its names is the most solid part. According to the sources consulted, the Zhenjiu Jiayi Jing (Systematic Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) called it 周營, with 營, the military camp, the zone under control; Sun Simiao’s Beiji Qianjin Yaofang (Essential Formulas for Emergencies Worth a Thousand Gold), in the seventh century, called it 周榮. The two characters share an idea of dominion over the surrounding territory. It is the same pattern found at SP14, where Sun Simiao also fixed the name that has come down to us today. The literal quotations have not been verified.
