Concept and terminology study on Xiahe points (lower confluent point) / 中国针灸

ABSTRACT

The six points on the foot yang channels with the main indications of disorders of six fu organs are named as he points in ancient time, while as Xiahe points in modern times. Both of the names share the Chinese character of He, which confounded with He (sea) point of the five shu points. The related ancient literatures, modern compiled textbooks and dictionaries are studied, and the original meaning and paraphrase of the name are analyzed so as to make clear the concept of the so-called Xiahe points and standardized its name. And it is held that the terminology of Xiahe points is inappropriate with the definition unclear and the concept indistinct. In the Internal classic, Xiahe points is also named as he points following the He (sea) points of the five shu points, and there was no proper name for the points at that time. The meaning of "he" in Xiahe points are different from the meaning of "He" in He (sea) points. And the article proposes that Xiahe points should be replaced as Liu fu Xiashu (lower shu points of six fu organs) or redefined with other names.