Heart Channel

Shenmen HE-7

Chinese: 神门

Pinyin: Shén Mén

Location

On the transverse crease of the wrist, in the articular region between the pisiform bone and the ulna, in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. 

How to locate

Position the forearm in a relaxed supinated position. As the location of the wrist crease can vary, the proximal border of the pisiform bone should be used for reference instead.

Shenmen HE-7 is located in the depression on the radial side of the tendon of flexor carpi ulnaris muscle. 

Shenmen He-7, Yinxi HE-6, Tongli HE-5 and Lingdao HE-4 are all located on a line on the radial aspect of the tendon at 0.5 cun intervals. 

Main actions

  1. Calms the Mind and opens the Mind's orifices
  2. Nourishes Heart Blood

Indications

Fear Spasm Sadness Anxiety Insomnia Shouting Enuresis Timidity Impotence Depression Amenorrhea Indecision Poor memory Restlessness Palpitations Scanty periods Loss of libido Tremor of limbs Parkinson's disease Inappropriate laughter

Needling

0.3–0.5 cun vertically or transversely deep to the tendon parallel to the wrist crease 0.5–0.8 cun.

Caution: Ulnar artery/nerve. 

Commentary for Shenmen HE-7

Shenmen HE-7's main function is to calm the Mind and open the Mind's orifices by nourishing the Heart Blood. Therefore, it is able to treat typical symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, poor memory, palpitation and a Pale tongue. In fact, it is one of the most important points of the body and it can be applied in any Heart related disorders. 

The Heart houses the Mind, which is responsible for not only emotional problems such as anxiety or depression but also memory and mental capacity.

HE-7 is powerful in calming the Mind, especially if there are anxiety and worrying under stressful situation due to Heart Deficiency. While in case of Heart Excess patterns such as Heart Fire or Heart Phlegm Fire, it is rather recommended to used Jianshi P-5 or Shaofu HE-8. 

Together with Qiuxu GB-40, it treats Gall Bladder Qi Deficiency, thus eases symptoms such as timidity, fear, indecision and depression. 

Through Lessor Yin, Shenmen HE-7 is able to influence some Kidney functions as well, especially the urinary and sexual functions in men or women. It can treat impotence in men and lack of sexual desire in women. 

Similarly, it also treats menstruation disorders in women such as scanty period or absence of period. It is because the point nourishes the Heart Blood, which then tonifies the Uterus Blood through Uterus Vessel. 

Finally, Shenmen HE-7 has an antispasmodic effect. It is effective in treating backache and tremors of the arm, especially in Parkinson's disease.