Spleen Meridian
Transforms food into qi and blood — the foundation of the body's energy economy.
Pathway
The Spleen meridian begins at the medial side of the big toe at SP-1 Yinbai. It runs along the medial edge of the foot, rises in front of the medial malleolus, and ascends the medial side of the lower leg. It crosses in front of the Liver meridian, continues up the medial thigh, enters the abdomen, and internally connects with the spleen and stomach.
From there it crosses the diaphragm, ascends the chest, and ends at SP-21 Dabao on the lateral chest. An internal branch rises from the stomach, passes through the diaphragm and esophagus, and spreads at the root of the tongue — a pathway the tradition links to the spleen's role in taste and speech.
Role in TCM theory
- The postnatal root (後天之本) — Together with the stomach, the spleen is said to transform food and drink into qi and blood. It is the source of acquired energy, as opposed to the kidney's inherited essence.
- Ruling transformation and transportation (運化) — The spleen is described as moving nutrients upward and distributing fluids. When this function is said to be weak, the tradition describes fatigue, bloating, and loose stools.
- Holding blood in its vessels (統血) — The spleen is traditionally credited with keeping blood within the vessels, an idea invoked in patterns of easy bruising or bleeding.
- Earth pair with the Stomach — Spleen and stomach form the Earth pair: the stomach receives and ripens, the spleen transforms and transports.
Common acupoints on the Spleen meridian
| Point | Name | Location | Traditional use |
|---|---|---|---|
| SP-3 | Taibai (太白) | On the medial side of the foot, proximal to the head of the first metatarsal | The shu-stream and yuan-source point; classically used to support spleen transformation |
| SP-6 | Sanyinjiao (三陰交) | Three cun above the medial malleolus, on the posterior border of the tibia | Where the spleen, liver, and kidney meridians meet; traditionally used for digestive and gynecological patterns. Avoid strong pressure in pregnancy. |
| SP-9 | Yinlingquan (陰陵泉) | In the depression below the medial condyle of the tibia | The he-sea point; traditionally associated with transforming dampness and fluid retention |
| SP-10 | Xuehai (血海) | Two cun above the upper medial corner of the patella | The "sea of blood"; classically used in blood-related patterns |
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 9–11 am window
9–11 am is the spleen's peak. The classical advice is to eat a warm, settled breakfast earlier, in the stomach's 7–9 am window, so the spleen has something to transform. Traditional schedules also avoid heavy mental work immediately after eating.
How this is viewed today
SP-6 and SP-9 are among the most studied points in acupuncture research, particularly in digestive and gynecological contexts. Reviews report mixed quality and call for larger trials. SP-6 is traditionally avoided in pregnancy; press only under professional guidance if pregnant.
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: Stomach meridian · Spleen Qi Deficiency · Phlegm-Dampness constitution · all twelve meridians