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Shaohai (HT-3), “Lesser Sea”, is the He-Sea and Water point of the Heart channel. It calms the spirit, transforms phlegm and benefits the elbow.
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.