PATHWAY
The Heart meridian originates at the heart. It spreads over the heart system before going down the
diaphragm to connect to the SI. The meridian then runs back up along the oesophagus and then
across the face and cheek to connect with the tissues surrounding the eye.
Another branch travels directly from the Heart to the Lung and descends to emerge from the middle
of axilla at HT 1 (Jiquan).
It then travels down the medial side of the upper arm to the ulnar end of the cubital crease. The
meridian continues down the forearm along the radial side of the flexor carpi ulnaris to the pisiform
region proximal to the palm. It then passes through the palm and terminates at the end of the radial
side of the little finger, at HT 9 (Shaochong).
There are 9 points in total but only 6 points are most frequently used. Most points clear HT Heat or
Fire and calm the mind. Some points tonify the HT and stop palpitations.
Starred: 6 points (most used) HT 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9
Regulates HT HT 5, 7, 8
Tonifies HT HT 5, 6, 7
Tonifies HT blood HT 6
Regulates and tonifies Qi HT 5, 7, 8
Regulates and tonifies HT Yang HT 5, 7
Clear HT Fire HT 5, 7, 8, 9
Tonifies HT Yin HT 6, 7
MEASUREMTNS:
Locate HT 4, 5, 6, 7 – all these points are located proximal to the wrist joint, radial to the tendon of
the flexor carpi ulnaris
HT 4 – the point is 1.5 cun from the crease of the wrist; the distance between the transverse crease
of the wrist and the crease of the elbow is 12 cun, divide into half to get 6 cun, then another half to
get 3 cun and half again to find 1.5 cun
HT 5 – the point in located 1 cun from the crease of the wrist; divide the distance between HT 4 and
the crease of the wrist, which is 1.5 cun into thirds to find 1 cun
HT 6 - the point in located 0.5 cun from the crease of the wrist; divide the distance between HT 4
and the crease of the wrist, which is 1.5 cun into thirds to find 0.5 cun
HT 7 - is right on the wrist crease
HT 1
Location: in the depression at the centre of the axilla, slightly anterior to the axillary artery.
Ask the patient abduct their arm, slide the finger up the lateral wall of the chest between
the two muscle groups (latissimus dorsi posteriorly and pectoralis major anteriorly), feel for
the pulse and then move slightly anteriorly to avoid the axillary artery
Needling method: perpendicular
Moxa: no
ACTIONS:
Regulates Qi and blood, benefit the arm
Relieves chest congestion
Clears Deficient Heat
Calms the mind
INDICATIONS:
Pain in shoulder and arm (local action)
Pectoral pain, scrofula, lymph swelling in the armpit
Insomnia, night sweats and dry mouth
Sadness and anxiety
HT 3
Location: when the elbow is flexed, the point is at the midpoint of the line connecting the
medial end of the transverse cubital crease and the medial epicondyle of the humerus
Needling method: perpendicular
Moxa: yes
ACTIONS:
Regulates Heart Qi
Clears Heat in the Pericardium
Removes Phlegm
Calms the mind
INDICATIONS:
cardiac paint with nausea and vomiting; pain and numbness in the elbow and arm, debility
of lower arm, stiff neck, toothache
Scrofula, inflamed glands
Pshychosis, madness, epilepsy, amnesia
HT 5
Location: 1 cun above the transverse crease of the wrist, on the radial side of the tendon of
the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle
Needling method: perpendicular
Moxa: yes
ACTIONS:
Regulate Heart Qi
Calm the mind
INDICATIONS:
Palpitations, sudden loss of voice, aphasia with stiffness of the tongue; pain of the wrist
and the posterior aspects of the medial side of the upper arm and shoulder; heavy
menstrual flow and amenorrhagia
HT 6
Location: on the palmar aspect of the forearm, 0.5 cun above the transverse crease of the
wrist, on the radial side of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle
Needling method: perpendicular
Moxa: yes
ACTIONS:
Clears Heart Fire
Nourishes HT Yin, subdues Yin deficient Heat
Calms the mind
INDICATIONS:
Cardiac pain, palpitations, haematemesis, epistaxis, sudden loss of voice
Insomnia, night sweats, hectic tidal fever
Abnormal fright and fear
HT 7
Location: ulnar end of the transverse crease of the wrist, in the depression on the radial side
of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, at the proximal border of the pisiform bone
Needling method: perpendicular
Moxa: yes
ACTIONS:
• Regulates Qi and blood
• Calms the mind (nourishes HT Blood)
• Clears deficient Heat
INDICATIONS:
• Cardiac pain (angina), irritability, pain in the chest and palpitations, late development,
dizziness
• Mental disorders, insomnia, dream disturbed sleep and amnesia
• Blood in the stool, vomiting with blood
HT 9
Location: radial side of the little finger, about 0.1 cun posterior to the corner of the nail
Needling method: perpendicular
Moxa: yes
ACTIONS:
• Calms the mind
• Clears HT Fire
• Regulates HT Qi
INDICATIONS:
• Mental disorders
• Febrile diseases and loss of consciousness, pus in the stools and haematemesis
• Palpitations, cardiac pain, pain in the chest and hypochondrium
Point Location Function Indication
HT 1 In the depression at the centre of the Regulates flow of Qi and Blood
axilla, slightly anterior to the axillary artery Relieves chest congestion
(promotes movement of Qi in the
chest)
Clears HT Fire
Calms the mind
HT 3 When the elbow is flexed, the point is at Regulates Heart Qi
the midpoint of t - Clear Heart fire Clears Heat and calms the mind
- Subdue deficient heat Removes Phlegm from HT
- Calm the mind he line connecting the
medial end of the transverse cubital crease
and the medial epicondyle of the humerus
HT 5 1 cun above the transverse crease of the Regulate Heart Qi
wrist, on the radial side of the tendon of Calm the mind
the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle
HT 6 On the palmar aspect of the forearm Clears Heart Fire
proximal to the wrist, 0.5 cun above the Nourishes HT Yin, clears Yin
transverse crease of the wrist, on the radial deficient Heat
side of the tendon of the flexor carpi Calms the mind
ulnaris muscle
HT 7 Ulnar end of the transverse crease of the Regulates and nourishes HT
wrist, in the depression on the radial side Blood and Qi
of the tendon of the flexor carpi ulnaris Calms the mind
muscle, at the proximal border of the Clears deficient Heat
pisiform bone
HT 9 Radial side of the little finger, about 0.1 Calms the mind
cun posterior to the corner of the nail Revives consciousness
Clears Fire
Regulates HT Qi
