Heart 3 (HT 3) Shao Hai — Lesser Sea

This is the He-Sea and Water point of the Heart channel. It calms the spirit, transforms phlegm and benefits the elbow.

Heart 3 (HT 3) Shao Hai 少海 — Lesser Sea

Location

At the elbow, at the medial end of the cubital crease, in the depression anterior to the medial epicondyle of the humerus.

Anatomy

Pronator teres and the common flexor origin; the basilic vein and the inferior ulnar collateral artery; the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve and the ulnar nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Calms the spirit and clears the Heart
  • Transforms phlegm and dissipates nodules
  • Activates the channel and benefits the elbow and arm

Indications

Cardiac pain, mental-emotional disorders, poor memory, scrofula (neck lumps), tremor of the hand, numbness and pain of the elbow and arm.

Needling

0.5-1.0 cun, perpendicular insertion.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion.

Point Combinations

With HT-7 for mental-emotional disorders; with LU-5 for elbow pain.

Classical Text References

The He-Sea (Water) point of the Heart, classically used for disorders of the spirit and for phlegm nodules.

Cautions & Contraindications

Avoid the ulnar nerve, which lies posterior to the medial epicondyle.

Latest Research

Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.

About Attilio

Doctor of Chinese medicine, acupuncture expert and author of My Fertility Guide and My Pregnancy Guide.

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PubMed research

Acupuncture Shows Sustained Benefits for Chronic Daily Headache Prevention in Adults, Meta-Analysis Finds

Research summary (Acupuncture): Utility of Acupuncture Therapy for Adult Chronic Daily Headache Prophylaxis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. - Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, 2026.