The Xi Cleft point of the Large Intestine channel — and a quiet but powerful point for Heat, pain and the mind. Wenliu (LI-7) specialises in acute situations: clearing yangming Fire, stopping pain along the channel, and — remarkably — calming the spirit when Heat clouds the mind.
Contraindications
Wenliu (LI-7) is a safe point on the forearm with no special contraindications. Use standard clean-needle technique and stay within the recommended depth.
Name & story
The name 温溜 Wenliu can be read as "Warm Flow" or "Warm Accumulation" — and both meanings tell us something true about this point. As the Xi Cleft point of the Large Intestine channel, it is where the Qi and Blood (Xue) of the channel accumulate and gather. The "warmth" in the name speaks to the Yang nature of the Large Intestine channel — a channel of brightness and heat — and to this point's role in regulating what accumulates there, especially when that warmth turns into excess Heat or Fire. When the channel is blocked and in pain, or when Fire rises to disturb the mind, Wenliu steps in to clear the accumulation and restore the free flow.
Point family & character
Wenliu (LI-7) belongs to the Large Intestine channel (LI). Its most important character is that it is the Xi Cleft point of the channel. Xi Cleft points are where the Qi and Blood (Xue) of the channel gather most deeply — they are classically the go-to points for acute conditions and pain along the channel. As a hand yangming point, LI-7 also has a notable action on its corresponding fu organ, the Large Intestine, particularly as the channel points approach the elbow.
Five-element dynamics
The Large Intestine channel belongs to the Metal element, and yangming is the brightest, most active Yang in the body — filled with Qi and Blood (Xue). When this brightness tips into excess, yangming Fire rises: the face flushes, the mouth ulcerates, the mind becomes agitated or confused. Because Wenliu is the Xi Cleft — the gathering place — it is ideally placed to intercept this accumulated Fire and clear it before it causes deeper harm. At the same time, the Metal element connects to the Lungs and the skin, and to the emotion of grief; so the channel's Heat can reach the face, the throat, and even the spirit.
Location
On the radial (thumb) side of the forearm, 5 Cun above the wrist crease — that is, roughly halfway between the wrist and elbow. It sits on the line connecting Yangxi (LI-5) at the wrist to Quchi (LI-11) at the elbow.
Anatomy & fascia
The point lies on the radial side of the forearm, over the belly of the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle.
Needling
Insert the needle perpendicularly into the point.
The golden tip
If you feel acute pain along the outer forearm, or have a flare of facial Heat — swollen gums, a hot tongue, a mouth ulcer — you can find Wenliu about halfway along the outer forearm on the thumb side, and press or massage it firmly for one to two minutes. Because it is a Xi Cleft point, firm pressure in acute moments is especially appropriate. Seek professional acupuncture for recurring or serious conditions.
For education only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner.