One of the most recognizable symbols in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the yin-yang circle—the familiar black and white swirl, each side containing a dot of its opposite. The basics are simple: yin represents rest, night, and water, and yang stands for activity, day, and fire. Our health relies on keeping these two forces in balance, but this balance can be disturbed by “pathogens.”
In TCM, one of the most common troublemakers is heat—a metaphorical inner fire that can dry, irritate, inflame, or even burn from within. Today’s acupoint, Fish Border (Yu Ji, LU10), is a powerful tool for clearing heat. However, not all heat is the same. While it’s easy to blame excess fire, heat can also arise when yin is too low, allowing normal warmth to flare out of control. Let’s see how you can recognize this kind of heat and how Yu Ji can help.
Ancient Insights and Common Uses
Yu Ji was first recorded in the “Ling Shu” (“Spiritual Pivot”), one of TCM’s foundational texts. It’s the Ying Spring point of the Lung meridian, belonging to the element of fire. Ying Spring points are said to excel at clearing heat along an entire meridian or energy pathway. For the lungs, this heat could mean anything from a sore throat and raspy voice to violent coughing fits and even coughing up blood.
Yu Ji is especially effective for intense dry coughs, sore throats, or the loss of voice that follows the “empty-heat” pattern, where yin deficiency allows heat to run wild. These symptoms often appear after we’ve pushed ourselves too hard, depleted our yin reserves, and left the lungs vulnerable. Yu Ji helps restore the lung’s natural moisture and bring the yin and yang forces back into balance.
What Modern Research Says
With the growing acceptance of acupuncture in conventional medical settings, researchers are investigating how Yu Ji works on the body and the mind.
In one study, researchers looked at transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation using Yu Ji as part of an acupoint pair with LI4 (Hegu). They treated patients with muscle spasticity caused by brain injuries. Only the group receiving 100 Hz electrical stimulation showed significant and lasting improvement in wrist spasticity, with effects starting from week two and continuing for at least two months. Yu Ji was part of that therapeutic success, hinting at its ability to relax tight muscles and modulate motor function.
Another study explored the impact of Yu Ji on anxiety in students affected by the psychological strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging scans before and after acupuncture at Yu Ji. The results showed that Yu Ji activated brain regions associated with emotion and stress regulation, including the frontal lobe, anterior cingulate gyrus, and hippocampus. It also enhanced connectivity between these areas, essentially helping the brain communicate more effectively under stress. This suggests Yu Ji’s potential influence extends beyond lung function into mental health.
How to Locate and Activate Yu Ji
Yu Ji is located on the outer side of your thumb, along the first metacarpal bone—the one connecting your wrist to your thumb. More precisely, it’s midway on the bone at the junction where skin tone changes—traditionally referred to in TCM as the “red-white border,” though this can differ depending on your skin color. What matters most is sensation—press around the area and look for tenderness or soreness. That feedback is your body flagging the acupoint.
Ways to Activate Yu Ji
- Firm pressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat for one to three minutes on each hand.
- Circular massage: Massage in small circles with your index finger or thumb for one to three minutes on each hand.
- Herbal patch: Apply an herbal patch overnight for longer activation.
- Advanced methods: Acupuncture or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy using dried mugwort) by a trained professional can deepen the therapeutic effects.
Precautions
Avoid stimulating Yu Ji if the thumb area is bruised, cut, or recovering from injury. When using herbal patches, opt for products with gentle, natural ingredients, especially if you have sensitive skin.
Clear Lungs and Internal Balance
The more you understand the intricate dance between yin and yang, the better you can listen to your body and catch an imbalance before it spirals. Yu Ji is a stellar example of how targeted support can bring back harmony. Sometimes the solution isn’t complicated—it’s literally at your fingertips.
