Effective points for pruritis
by Steven Clavey
There are a number of point combinations for itching, some of which are provided below, but the most effective combination that works for me is the following:
Qu Chi (LI-11)
Xue Hai (SP-10)
San Yin Jiao (SP-6)
Yes, it's simple, but this is always the basis upon which other points are added according to the channel involved or the specific etiology.
Here is the rationale:
Pruritus results from wind stuck in the surface. Wind invasion can occur in a spot when the local supply of blood is weak. Weak blood can result from general blood deficiency, but more often the circulation of blood to the local area is either blocked by damp or the blood is exhausted by heat, or both. Rashes always involve heat, and this heat may, again, be held in by damp and prevented from dispersing normally (as it usually would do because heat is not substantial -- it has no physical substance). The three points chosen deal with all of these aspects.
Qu Chi may be on the Large Intestine channel, but the effects of the points on this channel relate more to Lungs and upper body than to the colon (which itself responds better to its lower He-sea point Shang Ju Xu ST-37). Thus Hand Yang Ming can usefully be regarded as treating the yang aspect of the Lungs: the skin, upper back, nose and so on. Qu Chi is known as an essential point for skin problems, because it eliminates wind and cools heat by allowing it to pass out through the skin. When one does a normal gentle insertion but the qi response is a sudden jump under the skin, this always shows pathogenic qi contacted by the needle, and you know you will get a good response with reduction.
Xue Hai is another noted "skin point" because it treats both blood and damp due to its relation to Spleen. The location on the channel above the knee also assures that the middle of the body is addressed. Xue Hai should be needled deeply, and usually reduced although this depends upon the state of the Spleen. It is a great blood-cooler — a technique such as Cool Penetrating the Sky can be used, although not essential — but with tonification will just as well tonify blood to help eliminate the wind in the skin.
Note: There is an extra point for pruritus, called Bai Chong Wo ("Hundred Worms Pit" — in Wiseman called Bai Chong Ke) that is located 1 cun above Spleen 10 at the medial border of the femur. Xue Hai and this extra point can be used together for very good results. It is also needled deeply.
San Yin Jiao also clears damp and tonifies blood, so first reduce to clear damp if necessary, then tonify gently. It is especially essential to tonify if the skin is dry. San Yin Jiao is better for blood tonification than Xue Hai because it brings in the Jing-Blood relationship due to its influence on the Kidney channel.
The combination is also good because upper, middle and lower body are all catered for by the location of the points.
When patients get a rash from my herbs, this combination is what I always use to clear it up.
Other combinations and techniques for pruritus:
Upper body pruritus worst: add Feng Chi (GB-20) and Da Zhui (DU-14).
Yang Ji-Zhou in the Zhen Jiu Da Cheng says if the itching is extreme, use Zhi Yin (UB-67) and Yi Feng (SJ-17).
Ear: Lungs, Shenmen, Subcortex, and Endocrine can all be used together, even with taped-in ear seeds, alternating ears each time.
