LI20

Yingxiang

Star

迎香 (Yíngxiāng) — Welcome Fragrance

Large Intestine channel · point 20

Not yet clinically reviewed

Meeting point of the Large Intestine and Stomach channels

Traditionally used for

Nose & throat
Nerves & recovery
Skin

Location

On the face, in the nasolabial groove, level with the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala nasi.

How to locate: With the patient seated or supine, find the midpoint of the lateral border of the ala of the nose; the point is directly beside it in the nasolabial groove, which deepens when the patient smiles.

Regional anatomy: The needle passes through the skin and subcutaneous tissue into levator labii superioris; branches of the facial artery and vein run nearby.

Distances are in cun, a proportional unit — how to measure.

Body map, front: LI20 · Head & face — Fig. — LI20 · Head & face After Albinus, 1747

The skull, from the front — Gray's Anatomy plate — The skull, from the front Gray's Anatomy, 1918

Needling

Cited needling

Techniques — the source gives these as alternatives:

Transverse insertion — medio-superiorly

Depth 0.3–0.5 cun

skindeeper
Through-needling — to Bitong (M-HN-14) at the highest point of the nasolabial groove

Depths describe average adult habitus in the cited population, never a single safe number for the patient in front of you. Palpate and adjust.

Sources (1)

Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Hove: Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications; 1998 — p. 120 Supports: techniques (names this point)

Site notes · not cited

Depth: 0.2–0.5 cun

Angle: Oblique, directed medially toward the nose (or toward Bitong for sinus complaints)

Functions

Opens the nasal passages and expels wind
Clears heat and benefits the nose
Activates the channel and relieves facial pain

Indications

Nasal congestion, rhinitis and sinusitisloss of sense of smellnosebleedfacial paralysis and facial itchingbiliary ascariasis (classical)

Clinical Notes

The definitive local point for the nose. Its name — "welcome fragrance" — records its use for restoring the sense of smell.

Combinations Using This Point

Yintang, Yingxiang and Shangyingxiang

Yintang, Yingxiang and Shangyingxiang around the bridge and sides of the nose — a set to expel wind, open the nose, benefit the eyes and relieve pain.

Similar Points

Yingchuang how are these connected?

Sources

World Health Organization. WHO Standard Acupuncture Point Locations in the Western Pacific Region. Manila: WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2008. (Location.)
Focks C, ed. Atlas of Acupuncture. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2008. (Locating method and actions.)

📝 Notes

Public notes from the community and your own private notes on LI20 Yingxiang.

No notes yet.

Back to Points