Large Intestine 1 (LI 1) Shang Yang — Metal Yang

This is the Jing-Well and Metal point of the Large Intestine channel. It clears heat, benefits the throat and restores consciousness, and is often bled.

Large Intestine 1 (LI 1) Shang Yang 商陽 — Metal Yang

Location

On the radial side of the index finger, approximately 0.1 cun proximal to the corner of the nail.

Anatomy

The nail bed of the index finger; the arterial and venous network of the digit; the palmar digital nerve from the median nerve and the dorsal digital nerve from the radial nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Clears heat and reduces swelling
  • Benefits the throat and the teeth
  • Restores consciousness

Indications

Sore throat, toothache, fever, loss of consciousness, deafness, and numbness of the fingers.

Needling

0.1 cun shallow insertion, or prick to bleed.

Moxibustion Suitability

Moxibustion is generally not used; the point is most often bled to clear heat.

Point Combinations

With LU-11 (bled) for acute sore throat; with the Jing-well points for loss of consciousness.

Classical Text References

The Jing-Well (Metal) point of the Large Intestine, classically bled for throat and febrile disorders.

Cautions & Contraindications

Bleeding technique requires a sterile lancet.

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.