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Laogong (PC-8), “Palace of Toil”, is the Ying-Spring and Fire point of the Pericardium channel, in the centre of the palm. It clears Heart fire, calms the spirit and is used for mouth ulcers and feverish palms.
Location
On the palm, between the second and third metacarpal bones, where the tip of the middle finger rests when a fist is made.
Anatomy
Between the second and third metacarpals, on the lumbrical and interosseous muscles; the common palmar digital artery; the median nerve and palmar digital nerves.
Actions & Functions
- Clears heat and fire from the Heart and Pericardium
- Calms the spirit
- Clears the Stomach and resolves damp-heat
Indications
Mouth and tongue ulcers, feverish palms, cardiac pain, mental-emotional restlessness and mania, foul breath, and vomiting.
Needling
0.3-0.5 cun, perpendicular insertion.
Moxibustion Suitability
Moxibustion is generally not used, as this is a heat-clearing point.
Point Combinations
With HT-8 for feverish palms; with DU-26 for mania.
Classical Text References
The Ying-Spring (Fire) point of the Pericardium, classically used to clear Heart fire.
Cautions & Contraindications
Needling can be quite painful.
Latest Research
Latest peer-reviewed research on this point will be summarised here, with citations linked to PubMed, via our research integration.