HeGu 合谷 Large Intestine 4

One of my favorite and most commonly used points is Large Intestine 4. Even if you have never tried acupuncture, likely you have heard of it, perhaps as a headache remedy.

It is located on the back of the hand between the thumb and index finger. It is also known as Hegu (合谷) which means "Union Valley." He 合 means join, unite, come together. Gu 谷 means valley.  You could say Union Valley means the valley where things meet and harmonize. 

In Taoism, valleys are yin or feminine spaces. To be like a valley would mean cultivating emptiness, openness, acceptance, receptiveness, nurturing. The Tao Te Ching Chapter 6 writes: 

“The valley spirit never dies;

It is the woman, primal mother.

Her gateway is the root of heaven and earth.

It is like a veil barely seen.

Use it; it will never fail.”

While “union” connotes a meeting or converging of energies; a symbol of yin meeting yang. 

Its yang aspect is seen in its "waking up" the upper body, causing Qi to flow, removing stagnant energy, releasing and eliminating what’s no longer needed. Simultaneously in its yin aspect it nourishes -- being on a yangming channel it is “replete in Qi and Blood”. These opposite energies allow the patient to be supported with visible and invisible resources as they let go, allowing for powerful transformation.

The beauty of this point is that you do not need to force the body to heal; rather the mechanism of letting go and eliminating creates the natural environment for the body to begin to heal itself.  

You can access the point by acupuncture needle, applying acupressure, using a laser, or even stimulating it with the back of a toothpick. 

Deeper into the uses and energetics of this point:

Being on the Large Intestine channel, naturally it helps with elimination and “cleaning” the body. Constipation is a common problem today and this point can help treat and prevent this condition. Even if your elimination is regular, people often benefit from the detoxification and cleaning out “junk” or stagnant energy.

On an energetic level, it can help let go of other things one might be holding onto. A relationship that no longer serves you. A job that drains your energy. Mental irritation from an interaction with a coworker. When you face this sort of challenge, small or large, HeGu may allow you to move through it with more ease.

The Large Intestine channel is interiorly-exteriorly coupled with the Lung. They are paired organs and inseparable, like twin brother and sister.

Thus HeGu automatically turns on respiratory function and impacts the skin, the tissue dominated by the Lung. It can alleviate eczema, dry skin, wrinkles, psoriasis, rosacea and hives. It can harmonize our Wei Qi (protective Qi), fight colds or flus, help treat a cough, immune issues, sore throat, loss of voice, allergies. It can even be used to treat frozen shoulder and tennis elbow. 

Digestive function is also turned on by accessing this point because the Large Intestine is related to the Stomach channel by frequency. That is why so many patients report better digestion and elimination with even one acupuncture session. 

HeGu is also the master point of the face and mouth. It can be used for facial paralysis, lockjaw and swelling of the face. There are pathways from the Large Intestine meridian that goes to the lower gums and teeth, so if you have a toothache, jaw pain, mouth ulcers, cracked tongue, this is a great point to stimulate. 

A pathway also goes to the ear, thus it can help with ear aches, ear infections, tinnitus. 

It can help dry eyes, eye redness, swelling, pain, visual obstruction. 

The Lung opens to the nose, hence HeGu can alleviate allergies, stuffy nose, runny nose, sinus infections, common cold and flu.

It is also a major beauty point. It can be used to decrease wrinkles, improve skin tone, brighten complexion, and tame acne and rosacea. 

It can help mental clarity and sleep.

This point is contraindicated in pregnant women as it can stimulate labor (don’t needle or massage it if you’re pregnant). That being said, some doctors use it to “clean up” the body and enhance fertility when a woman is preparing for pregnancy.

Along that line, many practitioners use this point to help treat a variety of women’s health issues including PMS, breast tenderness (a pathway goes to the breast), constipation, dry eyes, menstrual cramps, menstrual irregularities and bloating. As it can treat so many women’s health issues it is also a critical point in alleviating many perimenopause and menopause symptoms.

If we look at HeGu from a Five Element framework, we see the Metal Element (Lung/Large Intestine) has a cooperative or “controlling” relationship with the Wood Element (Liver/Gallbladder). This is a beautiful concept. This means the Metal Element has an agreement that it will unconditionally support the Liver and Gallbladder. This is especially important because in today’s society, most health issues stem from a Liver dysfunction according to TCM. 

Therefore HeGu can help rebalance the Liver function and alleviate conditions triggered by stress. This could include headaches, acid reflux, weight gain, hormonal imbalance, joint issues, menstrual issues, and constipation to name a few.

One way to help you experience the Metal relationship with Wood: next time you are feeling very angry or frustrated, go watch a sad movie or commercial and let yourself cry. Crying or sadness, the emotion associated with the Metal element, “controls” the emotion of the Wood element (Liver/Gallbladder) anger. This is basic Chinese psychology that TCM doctors have been using for centuries. You will immediately feel better!

It is the first of four energy gates as created by Grandmaster Nan Lu and his Master, Tai Master Xu. Being first signals its importance! Here is a brief video showing you how to access and stimulate this point.

While HeGu cannot fold your laundry, create a financial spreadsheet in Google, or get your children to clean up their room, we see here that it has lots of uses. In truth I am only scratching the surface, there are even more “secrets” and uses for this point. For now try stimulating it on yourself, teach it to a friend – and let us know in the comments what you experience!

Copyright © Marie Yuann 2025