Location

proximal and inferior to the head of the first metatarsal bone, at the junction of the red and white skin.

note; in the depression located by sliding the fingertip over the side of the ball of the foot towards the heel.

Needling

perpendicular insertion 0.5 to 1.0 inch

Moxa is OK

Actions

Tonifies the Spleen and resolves dampness and damp-heat
Harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach
Regulates Qi

Indications

gastric pain, abdominal distention, constipation, dysentery, vomiting, diarrhea, borborygmus, sluggishness.

Commentary:

Taibai is the Yuan Source point of the Spleen channel. Each channel has a Yuan Source point. A Yuan Source point is said to be the point on a channel where Yuan (or Source) Qi comes to the surface. Yuan Qi or Source Qi, is also called Pre-Heavenly Qi, as it is the Qi we are born with and is said to reside in the Kidneys.

Yuan Source points generally are considered to have a strong effect on the particular organ. Taibai is no exception. It is recommended for deficiency of both the Stomach and the Spleen.

Since the Spleen is the organ mainly responsible for transforming water and food into Qi and transporting this Qi to the rest of the body, Spleen deficiency will have an effect on all the organs and the body as a whole, most often manifesting as fatigue or sluggishness.

Deficiency in the Spleen often leads to dampness or damp-heat so it is also good for these conditions. Dampness arising out of Spleen deficiency may manifest as diarrhea, borborygmus, undigested food in the stool, heaviness of the body, sluggishness of the four limbs.

Taibai is also good for conditions along the channel, including abdominal distention, pain in the abdomen, epigastrium, and even into the costal and cardiac regions.

Taibai is also indicated for disorders along the length of the leg right down to the big toe, especially when dampness and/or Spleen deficiency is involved. When dampness is involved it is manifested as insensitivity and flesh atrophy.