Element
Ba Gua
Summary
Du Mai is the foundation of yang qi.
Primary Function
Du Mai is the foundation of yang qi—it is the master of the yang qi of the body. It unifies and gathers all the yang qi and connects the yang qi with its source in the lower Dantian. The Du Mai also connects with the yin on the front of the body, it infuses all zangfu with yang qi.
Areas / Symptoms
Tonify Kidney-Yang Strengthen the back Nourish the Brain and Marrow Strengthen the Mind Expel exterior Wind Extinguish interior Wind
Brief Psychology
pure clear the middle way strong constant guide for our life
Related Emotions
Point Locations
Primary functions
primary channel for the brain heart/ brain integrationurinary disorders disorders of the spinefebrile diseasesdisorders of all the zang fu (using points roughly corresponding to the location of the zang fu)treating the sense organs treating the heart zang
In treatment
In treatment: Circulates wei qi (protective qi), controls the loss of body heat (partly through its affect on wei qi), all diseases of the central nervous system and spinal cord, psychosis, spine, back pains, rigidity, heart pains, heavy head, knee and leg pains, rigidity of the neck, gastrointestinal pain, urinary dysfunction, sterility, convulsions, vertigo, dizziness, headache, chronic fever, madness, mania and dementia, convulsions, throat disorders, night sweating, lack of sweat, headache, poor circulation in the lower heater, hernia.
Simple Questions: heart pain, retention of urine and faeces and hernia, infertility, haemorrhoids, incontinence of urine and a dry throat
• Classic of Difficulties: stiffness of the spine and fainting
• Li Shi Zhen: when full there is rigidity of the back, which is bent backwards; when empty there is a feeling of heaviness of the head and shaking of the head
• Golden Mirror of Medicine: contraction of the hands and feet, tremors of limbs, aphasia from Wind-stroke, epilepsy, headache, eye swelling with discharge, chronic backache and knee ache, occipital stiffness from unresolved invasion of Wind-Cold, toothache, numbness of limbs, night sweating
• Pulse Classic: stiffness and pain of the back with inability to bend forwards or backwards. In adults there is mania, in children epilepsy
Points
Overview
The Chinese characters that comprise Du Mai represent an uncle or younger brother looking out for the elder brother. It is symbolic of a governor or viceroy who watches out for the emperor. The governor rules and acts on behalf of the supreme power. The characters are symbolic of pure, clear, the middle way, strong, constant and guide for our life.
Du Mai is the foundation of yang qi. Du and Ren Mai develop as the first expression of yin and yang after conception. They originate in the vital region in the lower abdomen, the ‘lower supreme ridgepole’. The supreme ridge pole is the ‘no form’ out of which all things come – the macroscopic Dao. The supreme ridge pole within us is located between the Kidneys, in the lower Dantian. It is our source of life, vitality and ming men (fires of destiny). From this area comes the first division of yin and yang in the form of Du and Ren Mai.
Du Mai is the master of the yang qi of the body. It unifies and gathers all the yang qi and connects the yang qi with its source in the lower Dantian. The Du Mai also connects with the yin on the front of the body, it infuses all zangfu with yang qi.
It connects with the Kidneys with two of its pathways which is important because of the Kidney’s link to ming men (fires of destiny) and the lower Dantian. There is a strong link between Kidney yang and Du Mai.
Pathway
Pathway: Begins at lower abdomen anterior to the spine, emerges at the perineum, runs along the interior of the spinal column to Gv16 at the nape of the neck, enters the brain and ascends inside the brain to GV20 and also from Gv16 runs along the exterior of the midline of the head to Gv20. A branch originates in the lower abdomen, descends to the genitals, perineum, winds around the anus, ascends the interior of the spinal column and enters the kidneys. Another branch originates in the lower abdomen winds around the genitals, ascends to the umbilicus, moves through the heart, ascends the throat, winds around the mouth and up to below the middle of the eyes. Another branch emerges at Bl1, follows the bladder channel along the forehead, the branches converge at the vertex and enter the brain, emerges at Gv16, divides again, descending through Bl12 along either side of the spine to the kidneys.
Meetings with
Channel Meeting points
CV, ST, BL
Key aspects
- Originates in lower dantian (uterus in females)
- Yang, anus, back, brain
- All yang channels connect with Gv14, which is a key point for fever
- Primary brain channel - has double connection with brain between Gv16 and 20
- Connects also to heart and kidneys
- Psycho-emotional disorders
- Can be used for the organs – similar to the Back Shu points of the Bl channel
Master and Coupled Point
Points
| Point | Special Point | Balances | Balance for: |
|---|---|---|---|
Du-1 | Luo Point | EmotionsSupportcalmnessstillnesssafetybelongingstabilityinsecuritiesleading guiding moving creatingQi Flow | |
Du-2 | creative drive impetus energy for creating sustaining life manifest our destiny dynamic growth | ||
Du-3 | Relationships Sexuality Balance of the yin and the yang Creativitypassion vitality core energy yang energy unique drive passion for life warmth foundation of life | ||
Du-4 | Spirit Point | return to authentic self avoid habitual behaviour burn off limiting beliefs life path core fires original nature purpose fully express manifest destiny nourish original nature stoke fire liming beliefs shed old behaviours | |
Du-5 | Spirit Point | true naturedestinySupportSpiritSeat of personal power Confidence How we see ourselves move with ease realise full potential destiny | |
Du-6 | firm stable foundation centred | ||
Du-7 | movement in life centring move change life changes centred | ||
Du-8 | adjust flexibility change ease | ||
Du-9 | boost energy move with ease full potential | ||
Du-10 | Spirit Point | spirit perspective insights heartThe Heart Spirit Heart Balance of Yin and Yang overcome major hurdles transformation spirit purpose destinyQiLinglife journey all-empowering vision original nature empowerment powerfulstep back broader perspective insight growth heart wisdom | |
Du-11 | Spirit Point | life journey all-empowering vision original nature empowerment powerfulThe Heart Spirit Heart Balance of Yin and Yang overcome major hurdles transformation spirit purpose destinyexpression of heart connection to spirit connection to heartlife journey work life connections vision reality mania uplift heart depression | |
Du-12 | expression of heart connection to spirit connection to heartsupport structure stand straight firm true pathrageFearfreezeshockfrightpleasurefightflight | ||
Du-13 | way of spirit true path potential inspiration endure flourish joy solidify changesrageFearfreezeshockfrightpleasurefightflight | ||
Du-14 | Key Point | urgent breathingred complexionlow energydifficult speakingyang great force move forward move dynamically move forward in life | |
Du-15 | urgent breathingred complexionlow energydifficult speakingActivate SocNSOveractive SNSOveractive PNS | ||
Du-16 | Key Point | Emotions lightness of body and much strengthDizzinesstinnitusleg painimpaired visiondesire for sleepActivate SocNSOveractive SNSOveractive PNS | |
Du-17 | heart brain heart brain integration core joy harmony reflect our coreThe use of logic perception and discernment Imagination Seeking truth about selfBrain IntegrationConfusionDizzinessDepression | ||
Du-18 | strength stillness endurance power emptiness true path self belief inner strength impetus for change transformation heart-head heart strength | ||
Du-19 | see spirit clarity spirit connection integrate spirit | ||
Du-20 | Spirit PointKey Point | Connection to external spirit (Spirit door) Primal Axis (heaven and earth) Overall function - Brain integration Sea of Marrow (Four Seas Points) Du20 Bai Hui – Meeting in grand unity, 100 meeting point Crown Chakra Balance Pain: Headache Balance Heaven and Earth Within (Heart / Kidney Axis) The Birth and Death (Golden Gate) Procedure Primary Brain Points GI Tract Balance BC28 Identify a substance (General Biochemical Procedure) | centre the body-mind depression major emotional turmoilheaven and earth restore balance yin and yang inner resources creative energy aligned to purposeBrain IntegrationConfusionDizzinessDepressionlightness of body and much strengthtinnitusleg painimpaired visiondesire for sleepdepression united spirit unity harmony alignment centre body-mind quell chaos heart heaven spirit insight face difficulties clarityspirit obsession despair confusion regulation of hormones energy levels disturbed sleep patternsHeadachelet go of the false selfembrace the true selfrecovery of the lost selflost selfjinginternal selfcore selfspiritfatigueshed fictional selfshed maskre-establishing connection with spiritliving our truthCandida overgrowthdeficient digestiondamp heatBalance |
Du-21 | heaven inspiration power true path spirit guidance | ||
Du-22 | open to spirit external spirit innocence wonder see life afresh wisdom of heaven | ||
Du-23 | guiding light guidance find path true path ancestral connection connection with nature lost abandonedentitiesghostsBrain Integrationbrain | ||
Du-24 | Key Point | illumination from spirit observation reflection contemplation quiet protected insightThe use of logic perception and discernment Imagination Seeking truth about selfHeadacheBrain IntegrationConfusionDizzinessDepressionBalance | |
Du-25 | structure essence true essence true to oneself no pretence shed mask false self core self freeNutritional DeficiencyToxicityAllergyHeavy MetalsCell SaltsBalance | ||
Du-26 | Key PointAlarm Point | deficiency excess diagnosis treatmentnourishment heaven and earth connect with core core modest simple balance harmony live with harmony true natureDisorders of the Abdomen Lumber region and back Head and nape Face and mouth Chest and lateral costal region ResuscitationentitiesghostsBrain Integrationbrain | |
Du-27 | reason humility wisdom overcome grief overcome trauma insight learning growth | ||
Du-28 | yin and yang movement and stillness nourishment and motion receptivity and powerQi Flow |
ESD Balances
Du2 Yao Shu – Direct energetic transfer to the loins
creative drive impetus energy for creating sustaining life manifest our destiny dynamic growth
Du3 Yao Yang Guan – Gateway to the yang vitality of the loins
passion vitality core energy yang energy unique drive passion for life warmth foundation of life
Du-4 Ming Men – Gate of Destiny
return to authentic self avoid habitual behaviour burn off limiting beliefs life path core fires original nature purpose fully express manifest destiny nourish original nature stoke fire liming beliefs shed old behaviours
Du10 Ling Tai – Spirit tower
step back broader perspective insight transformation growth heart wisdom
Du11 Shen Dao – The true path of spirit
life journey work life connections vision reality original nature mania uplift heart depression
Du13 Tao Dao – The transforming fires of the Dao
way of spirit true path potential inspiration endure flourish joy solidify changes
Du14 Da Zhui – Striking the great vertebra with importance
yang great force move forward move dynamically move forward in life
Du17 Nao Hu – Doorway to the brain
heart brain heart brain integration core joy harmony reflect our core
Du18 Qian Jian – Strength of quiet emptiness
strength stillness endurance power emptiness true path self belief inner strength impetus for change transformation heart-head heart strength
Du20 Bai Hui – Meeting in grand unity, 100 meeting point
depression major emotional turmoil united spirit unity harmony alignment centre body-mind quell chaos heart heaven spirit insight face difficulties clarity
Du22 Xin Hui – Meeting of the skull bones
open to spirit external spirit innocence wonder see life afresh wisdom of heaven
Du23 Shang Xing – Our unique heavenly star
guiding light guidance find path true path ancestral connection connection with nature lost abandoned
Du24 Shen Ting – courtyard of the spirit
illumination from spirit observation reflection contemplation quiet protected insight
Du25 Suliao – Ordinary unadorned bone
structure essence true essence true to oneself no pretence shed mask false self core self free
Du26 Ren Zhong – Man’s centre
nourishment heaven and earth connect with core core modest simple balance harmony live with harmony true nature
Du27 Dui Duan – to open with correct reason
reason humility wisdom overcome grief overcome trauma insight learning growth