TCM – Large Intestine

The large intestine meridian governs the absorption of fluids and elimination of solid wastes. It is thought to be tied to the emotions of sadness, grief, and worry. An energetic imbalance in this meridian may result in physical weakness, irritability, depression, distress, or apathy. There are 20 points on the large intestine meridian. The meridian begins by the outside corner of the index fingernail. It runs along the edge of the finger, between the two tendons of the thumb at the wrist joint (LI-5) and along the bony margin of the outer edge of the arm (the radius bone) to the elbow. The point LI-11 is situated at the outside of the elbow crease, which is visible when the arm is bent. From here, the channel continues to the point LI-15 on the outside of the shoulder muscle. It then crosses the shoulder blade and meets the governing vessel below the 7th cervical vertebrae at point GV-14. It descends internally to connect first with the lung and then the large intestine. From the shoulder, a branch travels upward over the muscle at the side of the neck (sterno-cleido-mastoid) to the cheek, passing through the lower gums, then over the top lip. It terminates beside the opposite nostril, where it links to the stomach channel.