Large Intestine Meridian
The channel of "letting go" — paired with the Lung and traditionally active at dawn.
Pathway
The Large Intestine meridian begins at the radial (thumb) side of the index finger at LI-1 Shangyang. It runs up the lateral side of the hand and forearm, along the outer edge of the elbow, and up the lateral upper arm to the shoulder. At the top of the shoulder it meets the Governing Vessel at DU-14, then dips into the supraclavicular fossa and internally connects with the lung and, through the diaphragm, with the large intestine.
From the supraclavicular fossa a branch rises along the neck to the cheek, enters the lower teeth and gums, curves around the upper lip, and crosses to the opposite side of the philtrum, ending beside the nostril at LI-20 Yingxiang. This crossing is why classical texts sometimes pair points on opposite sides of the face.
Role in TCM theory
- The official of transmission (傳導之官) — The large intestine is said to receive what the stomach and small intestine have finished with and move it onward. In the tradition, regularity here is a marker of smooth descent throughout the body.
- Metal pair with the Lung — Lung and large intestine share the Metal element. The tradition links the respiratory surface and the skin with bowel function, describing them as interior–exterior partners.
- Opening the exterior — LI-4 Hegu is one of the most frequently used points in the tradition, classically described for head, face, and neck discomfort and for releasing the exterior.
- A channel of the face and teeth — The branch that enters the lower teeth and crosses the upper lip explains the channel's traditional association with toothache, jaw tension, and nasal stuffiness.
Common acupoints on the Large Intestine meridian
| Point | Name | Location | Traditional use |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI-4 | Hegu (合谷) | On the dorsum of the hand, between the first and second metacarpal bones, at the midpoint of the second metacarpal | The yuan-source point; classically used for head and face discomfort and to "open the exterior". Avoid strong pressure in pregnancy. |
| LI-11 | Quchi (曲池) | At the lateral end of the elbow crease, with the elbow flexed | The he-sea point; traditionally associated with clearing heat and easing the arm |
| LI-20 | Yingxiang (迎香) | In the nasolabial groove, beside the midpoint of the lateral border of the nostril | The final point of the channel; classically used for nasal stuffiness |
Point locations follow the WHO Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature (1991). Gentle acupressure is generally considered low-risk; needling must only be performed by a licensed practitioner.
The 5–7 am window
5–7 am is the large intestine's two-hour peak. Traditional routines treat this as the body's natural "letting go" window: warm water on waking, an unhurried visit to the bathroom, and a gentle start to the day. The saying that "the large intestine opens at dawn" is a folk summary, not a prescription.
How this is viewed today
LI-4 has been studied in trials for headache and dental pain, and LI-11 in inflammatory and immune contexts. Systematic reviews often report small sample sizes and mixed methodological quality. Acupressure is generally considered low-risk; needling should only be performed by a licensed practitioner.
Sources & further reading
- Huangdi Neijing (黃帝內經), c. 2nd century BCE.
- Nanjing (難經), c. 1st–2nd century CE.
- World Health Organization, Standard Acupuncture Nomenclature, 2nd ed., 1991.
- Deadman P, Al-Khafaji M, Baker K. A Manual of Acupuncture. Journal of Chinese Medicine Publications.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Acupuncture: What You Need To Know.
Related: Lung meridian · Stomach meridian · Body clock · all twelve meridians