Conception Vessel 19 (REN 19) Zi Gong — Purple Palace

This point, on the sternum, unbinds the chest and descends rebellious qi.

Conception Vessel 19 (REN 19) Zi Gong 紫宮 — Purple Palace

Location

On the chest, on the anterior midline, at the level of the second intercostal space.

Anatomy

On the sternum; the perforating branches of the internal mammary artery; the anterior cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve.

Actions & Functions

  • Unbinds the chest and descends rebellious qi
  • Relieves cough and asthma

Indications

Cough and asthma, fullness and pain of the chest, and difficulty swallowing.

Needling

0.3-0.5 cun, transverse insertion.

Moxibustion Suitability

Suitable for moxibustion.

Point Combinations

With REN-17 and LU-1 for cough.

Classical Text References

A Ren Mai point on the sternum.

Cautions & Contraindications

Needle transversely over the sternum.

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 Short-Term Benefit Over Traction for Sciatica in Lumbar Disc Herniation Remission Phase

Research summary (Acupuncture): Clinical efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of sciatica during the remission phase of lumbar disc herniation: A secondary analysis of - Medicine, 2026.