Skip to main content
    Annual subscribers now receive The Modern Nèi Jīng FREESubscribe AnnuallyClinical Education ToolThis platform provides educational resources for TCM practitioners and students. It does not issue medical certificates, prescriptions, or clinical diagnoses.

    子午流注 — Horary Acupuncture

    Time your treatments to the body's natural Qi flow using three classical systems: Na Zi (hourly points), Na Jia (daily stem organ pairing), and Ling Gui Ba Fa (extraordinary vessel openings) — with modern circadian science correlations.

    子午流注Chinese Body ClockLU3aLI5aST7aSP9aHT11aSI1pBL3pKI5pPC7pSJ9pGB11pLR1a
    Live
    Day: (Rén Shēn)Hour: (Xīn Chǒu)Late SummerEarth phase

    Active Meridian

    LRLiver

    足厥陰肝經

    WoodYin1:00 AM3:00 AM

    Blood storage, detoxification, planning, tendon repair

    Waking 1-3 AM = Liver Qi stagnation or Heat. Anger, frustration, or vivid dreams at this time.

    Na Zi 納子法 — Hourly Point

    LR-1

    Dà Dūn (大敦)

    The horary point is the Five-Shū point whose element matches its own meridian's element. Needling it during the meridian's peak time amplifies the treatment effect — the point is "open" and maximally receptive to stimulation.

    Opposing Meridian

    SISmall Intestine

    The opposing meridian (12 hours apart) can also be treated for balancing excess/deficiency

    Na Jia 納甲法 — Daily Stem

    Rén day

    Bladder (BL)

    Foot Taiyang Bladder

    Tonify (Mother)

    BL-67

    Zhì Yīn (至陰)

    Tonify — Metal nourishes Water

    Sedate (Son)

    BL-65

    Shù Gǔ (束骨)

    Sedate — Wood drains Water

    Horary Point

    BL-66Zú Tōng Gǔ (足通谷)

    Rén day: BL is primary. Use for back pain, headache, urinary issues, fear patterns.

    靈龜八法 Líng Guī Bā Fǎ

    SI-3

    Hòu Xī (後谿)

    Opens:Du Mai督脈
    Coupled:BL-62Shēn Mài (申脈)

    Spine, occiput, inner canthus, brain, Yang deficiency

    Full Point Prescription — Liver (1–3 AM)

    Tonification Point

    LR-8

    Qū Quán

    Water (mother)

    Sedation Point

    LR-2

    Xíng Jiān

    Fire (son)

    Source (Yuán) Point

    LR-3

    Tài Chōng

    Luo (Connecting) Point

    LR-5

    Lí Gōu

    Back-Shū Point

    BL-18

    Gān Shū

    Front-Mù Point

    LR-14

    Qī Mén

    LR-1 (Horary/Wood)GB-34 (paired Yang)SP-6 (three Yin meeting)

    Clinical Protocol

    For Liver Qi stagnation: LR-3 + LR-14 + GB-34 + PC-6. For Liver Blood deficiency: LR-8 + SP-6 + BL-18 + ST-36.

    Circadian Science — Liver Meridian

    Hormone / Biomarker

    Peak detoxification enzymes

    Hepatic blood flow increases during sleep

    Western Physiology

    Hepatic detoxification (CYP450 enzymes) peaks 1-3 AM. Blood returns to the Liver during rest. Glycogen synthesis active.

    Research Note

    Circadian regulation of liver enzymes shows distinct 24-hour oscillation in drug metabolism capacity.

    Seasonal Treatment Guidance — Late Summer

    Earth ElementSpleen/Stomach

    Strengthen transformation. Favor ST-36, SP-6, CV-12. Eat warm, cooked foods. Address worry and overthinking.

    Complete Reference

    LULung

    手太陰肺經

    3:00 AM5:00 AMMetal · Yin

    Qi distribution, respiration, immune defence

    Horary: LU-8 Jīng Qú (經渠)

    LILarge Intestine

    手陽明大腸經

    5:00 AM7:00 AMMetal · Yang

    Elimination, letting go, bowel movement

    Horary: LI-1 Shāng Yáng (商陽)

    STStomach

    足陽明胃經

    7:00 AM9:00 AMEarth · Yang

    Digestion, nourishment intake, grounding

    Horary: ST-36 Zú Sān Lǐ (足三里)

    SPSpleen

    足太陰脾經

    9:00 AM11:00 AMEarth · Yin

    Transformation & transportation, muscle nourishment, thought clarity

    Horary: SP-3 Tài Bái (太白)

    HTHeart

    手少陰心經

    11:00 AM1:00 PMFire · Yin

    Shén clarity, circulation, joy and connection

    Horary: HT-8 Shào Fǔ (少府)

    SISmall Intestine

    手太陽小腸經

    1:00 PM3:00 PMFire · Yang

    Separation of pure from impure, discernment

    Horary: SI-5 Yáng Gǔ (陽谷)

    BLBladder

    足太陽膀胱經

    3:00 PM5:00 PMWater · Yang

    Fluid metabolism, back support, memory consolidation

    Horary: BL-66 Zú Tōng Gǔ (足通谷)

    KIKidney

    足少陰腎經

    5:00 PM7:00 PMWater · Yin

    Essence storage, bone health, willpower, adrenal recovery

    Horary: KI-10 Yīn Gǔ (陰谷)

    PCPericardium

    手厥陰心包經

    7:00 PM9:00 PMFire · Yin

    Emotional protection, intimacy, circulatory support

    Horary: PC-8 Láo Gōng (勞宮)

    SJSan Jiao

    手少陽三焦經

    9:00 PM11:00 PMFire · Yang

    Thermoregulation, endocrine balance, fluid pathways

    Horary: SJ-6 Zhī Gōu (支溝)

    GBGallbladder

    足少陽膽經

    11:00 PM1:00 AMWood · Yang

    Decision-making, bile secretion, sinew repair

    Horary: GB-41 Zú Lín Qì (足臨泣)

    LRLiver
    Active

    足厥陰肝經

    1:00 AM3:00 AMWood · Yin

    Blood storage, detoxification, planning, tendon repair

    Horary: LR-1 Dà Dūn (大敦)