The Eight Extra Meridians
I. The Characteristics and Functions of the Eight Extra Meridians
The eight extra meridians include the Du, Ren, Chong, Dai, Yinqiao, Yangqiao,
Yinwei, and Yangwei meridians. Characteristic of these meridians, is that they are not distributed as regularly as twelve regular meridians and have no direct connections or interior-exterior relationships with the viscera. Therefore, they are called the "extra meridians. "
The eight extra meridians travel and cross among the twelve regular meridians, and function in the following three ways:
(1) The further strengthening the communication of the twelve regular meridians: The Yangwei Meridian acts as a network for the yang "to connect the yang of the whole
body. " The Yinwei Meridian also networks the yin "to connect yin of the entire
body. " The Dai meridian "controls meridians" and binds up all the meridians running through the abdomen and lumbar regions. The Chong Meridian runs upward and downward vertically in order to irrigate the three yin and yang. The Du meridian governs the yang meridians. Ren is "the sea of yin meridians. "
(2) Regulating the qi and blood of the twelve regular meridians. During periods where the qi and blood of the twelve regular meridians are in excess, the excess will flow to the eight extra meridians; when the qi and blood of twelve regular meridians is insufficient, there will be a supplemental flow from the eight extra meridians to the twelve regular meridians.
(3) The extra meridians have an established close relationship with the liver, kidney and extra-ordinary fu-viscera, such as the uterus, brain, and marrow. The meridians communicate with them physiologically and pathologically.
II. The Functions of the Eight Extra Meridians.
The Du Meridian: The Chinese word "Du" means to govern and command. The Du
Meridian runs along the midline of the back and crosses the three Yang Meridians of the Hand and Foot, as well as the Yangwei Meridian, enabling it to govern the yang meridians. Thus it is also called " the sea of yang meridians. " Also, the Du meridian runs along the inside of the spine, and upwards to the brain, here branching at the inside of the back to pertain to the kidney. It has close relations with the brain, spine and kidney.
The Ren Meridian: The Chinese word "Ren" means to take and be in charge of.
The Ren Meridian travels along the midline of the abdomen and repeatedly crosses the three Yin Meridians of the Hand and Foot and Yinwei meridian. This is in order to nourish yin meridians of the whole body, so it also termed " the sea of yin meridians. " " Ren" also means "pregnant," for it begins in the uterine and is related with pregnancy. This is termed "Ren meridian dominating the uterine and pregnancy. "
The Chong Meridian: The Chinese word "Chong" means a vital pass. Being a vital
pass of the qi and blood, the Chong Meridian flows upward to the head and downward to the foot in connection with the whole body. It also is responsible for regulating the qi and blood of the twelve regular meridians, therefore it is also called "the sea of the twelve regular meridians. " Also, it is sometimes termed "the sea of blood" for it is closely related with menstruation.
The Dai Meridian: It wraps around the waist similar to a girdle, and binds up all meridians together.
The Yinqiao and Yangqiao Meridians. The Chinese word "qiao" means to act quickly. Their functions are to moisten the eyes and dominate the opening-closing function of the eyelids, and the action of the lower extremities. The ancient Chinese doctors also described that the Yinqiao and Yangqiao Meridians "dominate respectively the yin and yang of the whole body. "
The Yinwei and Yangwei Meridians: The Chinese word "wei" means to maintain
and network. The Yangwei Meridian networks the yang of the whole body while the Yinwei Meridian networks the yin of the whole body.
