A quiet but effective point on the side of the head. Xuanli (GB-6) clears Heat, calms rising Yang and eases one-sided headaches — particularly those that begin at the temples and radiate toward the eye.
Contraindications
As with all scalp points, keep the needle subcutaneous and do not insert deeply. Standard hygiene and clean technique apply.
Name & story
The name 悬厘 Xuanli carries a poetic image. 悬 (xuán) means 'suspended' or 'hanging', and 厘 (lí) refers to something very small or fine — a thread, a hair's breadth. Together the name evokes something delicate suspended in space, like a thin thread hanging at the temple. The point sits on the curved arc of the Gallbladder channel as it sweeps along the side of the head, and the name captures that sense of lightness and delicacy at the temporal region.
Point family & character
Xuanli (GB-6) belongs to the Gallbladder Meridian (GB). It is located on the head, on the temporal arc of the channel. It is also an intersecting point — the Gallbladder Meridian (GB), the Stomach Meridian (ST), the Large Intestine Meridian (LI) and the Triple Burner Meridian (TB) all meet here, which accounts for its broad reach across head and face conditions.
Five-element dynamics
The Gallbladder channel belongs to the Wood element, whose nature is to rise and spread. When Wood rebels upward — through Heat, rising Yang or Qi Stagnation — the result is often pain and pressure at the sides and top of the head, especially the temples. Xuanli sits precisely in that territory. By clearing Heat from the channel and guiding the rebellious Yang back downward, it brings the Wood element back into its natural, smooth flow.
Location
Xuanli (GB-6) is found on the head, within the temporal hairline. It lies on the arc traced by the Gallbladder channel across the temple — one quarter of the way along the curved line from GB-4 (Hanyan) to GB-7 (Qubin). In practical terms, it sits in the temporal region, a little above and forward of the ear.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies in the temporal region, within the temporalis muscle.
Needling
The needle is inserted horizontally (transversely), threading along the scalp beneath the skin, as is standard for points on the skull.
Safe depth
0.5–0.8 Cun, subcutaneously.
Moxa, cupping & Tui Na
Gentle massage or acupressure at the temples — pressing in small circles over GB-6 and the surrounding area — can provide relief during a headache episode. Because this point is associated with clearing Heat and calming rising Yang, warming therapies such as Moxa are generally not the first choice here.
Functions
Clears Heat from the Gallbladder channel; Calms rising Yang; Dispels Wind and Heat from the head and face; Relieves pain in the temporal and lateral head region; Benefits the eyes.
Indications
One-sided (lateral) headache and migraine, especially pain centred at the temples and radiating toward the eye. Eye pain and redness. Tinnitus. Toothache in the upper teeth. Pain and stiffness along the side of the head. Febrile conditions with head pain.
Mind & spirit (Shen)
When Liver and Gallbladder Fire or rising Yang disturbs the head, the mind is rarely peaceful either — irritability, a feeling of pressure behind the eyes, and a restless inability to think clearly often accompany temporal headaches. By clearing the Heat that agitates the channel at the temples, Xuanli quietly helps the head — and with it the mind — to settle and clear.
Point combinations
With GB-4 (Hanyan) and GB-5 (Xuanlu) — its close neighbours on the temporal arc — for temporal headache and migraine. With GB-43 (Xiaxi) — the Water point of the channel — to clear Heat from the Gallbladder channel from both ends. With TB-5 (Waiguan) for lateral headaches related to Wind-Heat or Shaoyang-level conditions.
Clinical spotlight
Xuanli (GB-6) is one of four neighbouring points that the Gallbladder channel places along the temporal curve of the skull — GB-4, GB-5, GB-6 and GB-7 — each addressing the temple region. What makes GB-6 particularly notable is its status as a meeting point of four channels: GB, ST, LI and TB all converge here. This multilayered intersection gives a single needle access to multiple pathways crossing the head, which is why classical texts include it for a range of head and face disorders beyond simple local pain.
The golden tip
During a temple headache, find the tender spot on the side of the head, roughly level with the outer corner of the eye and just inside the hairline. Apply firm, steady pressure with your fingertip or thumb, moving in small gentle circles for one to two minutes. Breathing slowly and keeping the jaw relaxed will help. This simple self-massage along the temporal line can ease tension headaches and the early stages of a migraine.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.