the eight extraordinary vessels

295 Pages·2014·6.69 MB·English

by  Jackie Simms

THE EIGHT
EXTRAORDINARY VESSELS

8 CEU’s

OPTIONS FOR WELLNESS, INC.
7059 SW 53 LN
MIAMI, FL 33155
305-665-0615
305-675-0117 FAX
www.myacupunctureceus.com

CEU PROVIDER
Florida 50-2489-1
NCCAOM ACHB-038
California CEP 722

These DVD’s are from a live lecture. There are some areas where the audience is asking a
question that is not audible on the DVD. In most cases, Giovanni repeats the question. There
are a few instances, however, where he does not. The DVD says part two, this is an editing
mistake. This was day two of a lecture weekend. The entire lecture is intact.
Extraordinary Vessel Pairings:

Yin Qiao Mai paired with Ren Mai (Conception Vessel, REN)
Yang Qiao Mai paired with Du Mai (Governing Vessel, DU)
Yin Wei Mai paired with Chong Mai
Yang Wei Mai paired with Dai Mai

Extraordinary Vessel Master Point Coupled Point
Ren Mai LU 7 KD 6
Du Mai SI 3 UB 62
Chong Mai SP 4 PC 6
Dai Mai GB 41 TW 5
Yin Qiao Mai KD 6 LU 7
Yang Qiao Mai UB 62 SI 3
Yin Wei Mai PC 6 SP 4
Yang Wei Mai TW 5 GB 41

Using the Points in Practice - Master & Couple Combinations:

In general , first needle the master point of the main meridian you are treating (based on
symptomology) and then needle its coupled point.

For males, it is common to needle the master point on the left side and the coupled point
on the right.
For women, it is common to needle the master point on the right side and the coupled point
on the left.

2
Yin Qiao Mai

Alternate names: yin heel vessel, yin motility vessel
Master Point: KD 6
Coupled Point: LU 7
Xi Cleft Point: KD 8
Intersection Points: KD 6, KD 8, UB 1
Paired Meridian: Ren Mai
Effected areas: medial aspect of lower extremities, genitals, abdomen, eyes, throat, chest, lungs
nervous, muscular skeletal, digestive and respiratory systems
Functions:
Controls the ascent of fluids and the descent of Qi
Movement of the body; walking, cold and /or weakness in the lower limbs
Issues of the digestive tract and abdomen
Uro-genital problems, retention of urine
Respiratory issues
Excessive sleepiness
Eye problems
Hot Flashes
Pathway: Originates at KD 2, travels upward to KD 6 and then to KD 8. It then continues up the
medial aspect of the leg to the inguinal region where it enters the genitals. From the genitals it
travels up the anterior abdomen and the chest to ST 12. From ST 12 it travels to ST 9 and along the
cheek to UB 1 where it connects with the UB, DU and Yang Qiao Mai vessels. From there it rises
upwards and enters the brain.

Ren Mai

Alternate names: conception vessel, directing vessel
Master Point: LU 7
Coupled Point: KD 6
Luo Points: Ren 15
Intersection Points: ST 1, Du 28
Paired Meridian: Yin Qiao Mai
Effected areas: face, thorax, abdomen, genitals, throat, chest, lungs,
endocrine, urinary and digestive systems
Functions:
"Sea of Yin:" influences the yin, essence and fluids
Regulates female cycles, menstruation (irregular, leukorrhea), reproduction
Effects male genitalia, inguinal hernia, sexual desire, impotence
Gastrointestinal issues, digestion
Pathway: Originates at ming men and passes through the uterus and connects with Ren 1. Then it
follows the ren meridian up to Ren 24. Along the path it connects internally with the SP, LV and
KD meridians. At Ren 24 a second branch rises upwards and encircles the mouth and then rises to
the eyes at ST 1. A separate branch originates in the pelvic cavity and rises up along the back.
3
Yang Qiao Mai

Alternate names: yang heel vessel, yang motility vessel
Master Point: UB 62
Coupled Point: SI 3
Xi Cleft Point: UB 59
Intersection Points: UB 1, UB 59, UB 61, UB 62, GB 20, GB 29, SI 10, LI 15, LI 16, ST 1, ST 3,
ST 4
Paired Meridian: Du Mai
Effected areas: back, neck, eyes
nervous and musculo skeletal systems
Functions:
Issues of the eyes and / or face, eye pain (esp. inner canthus), redness and / or swelling, headache
Effects the lateral aspect of the lower limbs, numbness, weakness, spasms
Excess Yang, insomnia
Pathway: Originates at UB 62 and travels behind the heel to UB 61. It continues up the calf to UB
59, up the lateral aspect of the leg to GB 29 and then up to the scapular region at SI 10. It
continues to LI 15 and LI 16 and then travels to the face and connects with ST 4, ST 3, ST 1 and
UB 1 where it meets with the UB, Du and Yin Qiao meridians. From here it travels over the head
and terminates at GB 20.

Du Mai

Alternate names: governing vessel
Master Point: SI 3
Coupled Point: UB 62
Luo Point: Du 1
Intersection Points: Ren 1, UB 12
Paired Meridian: Yang Qiao Mai
Effected areas: Posterior midline especially spinal cord and brain
nervous and muscular systems
Functions:
"Sea of Yang:" effects all of the yang meridians
Brain, marrow and / or spinal cord issues - pain, heaviness, stroke, psychological issues, etc.
Other facial issues - headache, migraine, pain/swelling in the face/head
Pathway: Originates at ming men and descends to the perineum, emerging at Ren 1/Du 1. Then it
continues to Du 4 where it enters the kidneys. From the kidneys it travels up the interior of the
spinal column to Du 12 where it goes laterally to UB 12 and then back to Du 13. From here it
continues along the midline of the head to Du 16 where it enters the brain and ends at the frenulum
of the upper lib (Du 28).

4
Yin Wei Mai

Alternate names: yin linking vessel
Master Point: PC 6
Coupled Point: SP 4
Xi Cleft Point: KD 9
Intersection Points: KD 9, LV 14, SP 13, SP 15, SP 16, REN 22, REN 23
Paired Meridian: Chong Mai
Effected areas: Medial aspect of the lower limbs
nervous, cardiovascular, muscular skeletal and digestive systems
Functions:
Effects the balance of Yin and Yang
Effects the Blood, Yin and Shen - blood circulation, heart pain, depression, blood deficiency
headaches
Pain in the chest, back, middle and/or lower jiaos - abdominal distention, ST ache, nausea, rectal
prolapse
Pathway: Originates at KD 9 and goes up along the medial aspect of the thigh into the abdomen
where it enters the spleen meridian at SP 13, SP 15, SP 16. It continues up to LV 14, enters the
abdomen and continues upwards through the chest and throat. It then meets the Ren Mai at REN
22 and REN 23.

Chong Mai

Alternate names: penetrating vessel
Master Point: SP 4
Coupled Point: PC 6
Xi Cleft Point: GB 35
Intersection Points: KD 11 thru KD 21, REN 1
Paired Meridian: Yin Wei Mai
Effected areas: Abdomen, thorax, genitals, Heart, inner thigh
reproductive, digestive and respiratory systems
Functions:
"Sea of Blood:" menstrual and / or reproductive issues, irregular menstruation, infertility
Physical and spiritual heart issues - Heart pain, depression
Balances rebellious Qi - hiccups
Abdominal stagnation
Respiratory issues - SOB, asthma
Pathway: Originates in the ming men and passes through the uterus and down to REN 1. From
here it emerges at ST 30 and continues upwards along the kidney meridian to KD 21. It then flows
up the throat, encircles the mouth and continues up to the forehead.
A second branch flows from REN 1 inside the spine to the UB 23 area.
A third branch flows downwards towards the foot where it splits into 2 branches and follows the
KD and SP meridians.

5
Yang Wei Mai

Alternate names: yang linking vessel
Master Point: Triple Warmer 5
Coupled Point: GB 41
Xi Cleft Point: GB 35
Intersection Points: UB 63, SI 10, DU 15, DU 16, GB 13 thru GB 21, GB 35, TW 15
Paired Meridian: Dai Mai
Effected areas: Sides of the body, hips, joints, eyes, ears
muscular skeletal and immune systems
Functions:
Shao Yang level illnesses - alternating fever and chills
Pain and / or distention in the lumbar region
Pathway: Originates at UB 63 and ascends along the the GB meridian up the leg and sides of the
body passing thru GB 35. It continues to UB 59 and up to the hip (GB 29). Then it continues along
the lateral aspect of the body to LI 14 at the shoulder, to TW 13, TW 15 and to GB 21. It then
travels down to SI 10, over to DU 15, DU 16 and then to GB 20. It continues downward along the
GB meridian from GB 19 thru to GB 13 where it ends.

Dai Mai

Alternate names: belt vessel, girdle vessel
Master Point: GB 41
Coupled Point: TW 5
Intersection Points: GB 26, GB 27, GB 28, LV 13
Paired Meridian: Yang Wei Mai
Effected areas: lateral sides of the lumbar area
gastrointestinal, female reproductive and muscular skeletal systems
Functions:
Issues in the middle aspect of the body - abdominal distention, lumbar weakness, muscular
weakness in the lumbar and / or lower extremities
Links the upper and lower halves of the body and helps to move Qi and Blood in the legs -
weakness in the legs, walking problems
Pathway: Originates at LV 13, continues to and encircles GB 26 and LV 13 and then connects
with GB 27 and GB 28.

6
THE EIGHT EXTRAORDINARY VESSELS
奇
经
八
馬
脉
萬
里
Giovanni Maciocia
THE 8 EXTRAORDINARY VESSELS ARE CALLED:
QI 奇= “extraordinary”
JING 经= “channel”
BA 八
= “eight”
MAI 脉= “vessel”
Opinions as to why the Extraordinary Vessels are called
“extraordinary” (qi) vary:
- the “Classic of Difficulties” says that they are “extraordinary”
because they are not “restrained” by the main channel system
- Li Shi Zhen says that they are “extraordinary” because they do
not pertain to the main channel system and do not have exterior-
interior relationships
- modern textbooks say that “extraordinary” means “odd, a little
extra, surplus”, suggesting that the Extraordinary Vessels are
separate and different from the main channels. This interpretation
implies not only that the Extraordinary Vessels are different but
that they addsomething to the main channel system.
The main source of knowledge for the Extraordinary Vessels
derives from the following classics:
• the “Spiritual Axis” (Ling Shu)
• the “Classic of Difficulties” (Nan Jing)
• the “Pulse Classic” (Mai Jing) by Wang Shu He, AD 280
• the “ABC of Acupuncture” (Zhen JiuJia Yi Jing) by Huang Fu
Mi, AD 282
• the “Guide to Acupuncture Channels” (Zhen Jing Zhi Nan) by
Dou Han Jing, 1295
• the “Gatherings from Eminent Acupuncturists” (Zhen JiuJu
Ying) by Gao Wu, 1529
• the “Study of the Eight Extraordinary Vessels” (Qi Jing BaMai
Kao) by Li Shi Zhen, 1578
• the “ Great Compendium of Acupuncture” (Zhen JiuDaCheng)
by Yang Ji Zhou, 1601
• the “Golden Mirror of Medicine” (Yin ZongJin Jian) by Wu
Qian, 1742.
M
M
Nan Jing, Ch.27: "The sages built ditches
a a
i i
M n n and reservoirs and they kept the waterways

a c c open in order to be prepared for above-
i h h
n ch ann W e i M a.i normal situations [i.e. floods]. When there
a elY a n g are heavy rains, ditches and reservoirs are
n
n a i full to the brim...in the human body, when
e M
lW e i the channels are over-filled they cannot
n
Y i absorb the excess [and this overflow from
the main channels is absorbed by the
Q i a o M a i extraordinary vessels]"
Y i n a n d Y a n g
Ch. 28 “The sages
built ditches and
reservoirs; when
these are full they
overflow into deep
M a i lakes...in the
D a i
C h o n g , human body, when
R e n , the channels are
D u ,
over-filled, they
overflow into the 8
extraordinary
vessels where they
are no longer part
of the general
circulation”.