# BL18 Ganyu (Liver Shu Point) – Bladder Meridian

肝俞 · gān yú

Location: 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV08 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra.

Cautions: Avoid deep perpendicular needling.

Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/points/bl18

## Indications

An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

Anger, Benefit Eyes, Benefit Eyes, Benefit Regulate Liver Blood, Benefit Regulate Qi Liver, Benefit Tendon Ligament, Benefit Tendon / Ligament, Cough, Coughing Blood, Coughing Blood, Cramping, Cramping Abdomen, Cramping Abdomen, Depression, Psychological Disorder, Psychological Disorder, Shan Disorder, Shan Disorder, Costal Lateral Bloating, Costal Lateral Bloating, Focal Bloating, Focal Bloating, Dizziness, Dry Mouth, Dry Mouth, Breathing Shortness Of Breath Problems, Breathing Shortness Of Breath Problems, Epilepsy, Eyesight / Vision Blurred, Blurred Vision, Eyesight / Vision Dizzy, Dizzy Vision, Eyesight / Vision Night Blindness, Night Blindness Vision, Eyesight / Vision Superficial Obstruction, Superficial Obstruction Vision, Fibroids / Masses Ji, Fibroids Masses Ji, Fibroids / Masses Ju, Fibroids Masses Ju, Chest Fullness, Chest Fullness, Costal Lateral Fullness, Costal Lateral Fullness, Hypogastrium Fullness, Hypogastrium Fullness, Heat Fire, Heat Fire, Stiff Neck, Spinal Stiffness, Immobility Neck, Immobility Spine, Itchiness Eye Canthus Medial, Itchiness Eye Canthus Medial, Jaundice, Lachrymation Excessive, Lachrymation Excessive, Nosebleed, Nourish Liver Blood, Nourish Liver Blood, Oculogyric Crisis Eyes Staring Upwards, Oculogyric Crisis Eyes Staring Upwards, Opisthotonos, Lower Abdominal Pain, Lower Abdominal Pain, Lower Back Pain, Lower Back Pain, Chest Pain, Chest Pain, Rib Pain, Rib Pain, Upper Stomach Pain, Upper Stomach Pain, Lower Abdominal Pain, Lower Abdominal Pain, Neck Pain, Neck Pain, Nose Pain, Nose Pain, Redness Pain, Redness Pain, Shoulder Pain, Shoulder Pain, Spine Pain, Spine Pain, Supraorbital Pain, Supraorbital Pain, Tendon Ligament Pain, Tendon / Ligament Pain, Red Eyes, Red Eyes, Regulate Liver Blood, Regulate Qi Liver, Saliva Blood, Saliva Blood, Damp Heat Syndrome, Damp-heat Syndrome, Tetanus, Tetany, Vomiting Blood, Vomiting Blood, Wind

## Most often selected alongside BL18

Sourced protocols in the index pairing each point with this one. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

- BL23 (Kidney Shu Point) – 133 protocols
- BL20 (Spleen Shu Point) – 105 protocols
- ST36 (Leg Three Miles) – 104 protocols
- SP06 (Three Yin Intersection) – 87 protocols
- LV03 (Great Surge) – 82 protocols
- GV20 (100 Convergences) – 65 protocols
- BL15 (Heart Shu Point) – 60 protocols
- LI04 (Junction Valley) – 58 protocols

## Protocols using BL18 (50 best-sourced of 228)

| Symptoms | Points | Course | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immune Deficiency, Immune Dysregulation | ST36, BL18, BL20, BL23 | 1 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nel107 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Chronic Pain, Post-thoracotomy Pain, Acute Pain | ST36, BL12, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19 | 28 days | doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2008.07.053 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Glaucoma Open-angle, Intraocular Pressure Elevated, Retrobulbar Circulation Impaired | ST02, ST36, SP06, BL02, BL18, BL23, KD03, GB20, LV03 | 1 days | doi:10.1155/2011/157090 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia, Fibromyalgia, Widespread Pain | LI04, SP06, BL18, BL20, PC06, GB34, LV03 | 9 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-59 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysmenorrhea, Kidney Deficiency, Liver Deficiency, Menstrual Pain, Mood Changes | ST36, SP06, BL17, BL18, BL23, KD03, CV04, CV06 | 9 days | doi:10.1093/ecam/nep239 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hot Flashes, Vasomotor Symptoms, Menopause Perimenopause, Menopause Postmenopause | LI04, LI11, ST36, SP06, HT07, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB34, LV03, CV06, CV17, GV14, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1097/gme.0b013e31821f9171 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Glaucoma Open-angle, Circulation Retrobulbar Impaired | ST02, ST36, SP06, BL02, BL18, BL23, KD03, GB20, LV03 | 1 days | doi:10.1155/2012/513638 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Headache, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Fatigue Unexplained, Sleep Unrefreshing, Memory Impaired, Malaise Post-exertional | BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB20, GV20 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-147 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Cancer Pain, Cancer Liver | BL18, BL19, LV14 | 12 days | doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(13)60121-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Sleep Unrefreshing, Fatigue Post-exertional | BL11, BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB20, GV20 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0857-0 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Tic Disorder Motor, Tic Disorder Vocal, Tourette Syndrome | BL15, BL18, BL23, GB20, GV16, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0873-0 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Incontinence Urinary Stress, Incontinence Urinary Mixed, Incontinence Urinary Urgency | SP03, SP06, BL14, BL18, BL20, BL23, BL28, BL31, BL32, BL33, BL34, KD03, KD07, PC06, LV03, CV03, CV04, CV06, GV04, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1136/acupmed-2015-010828 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hyperglycemia, Prediabetes, Impaired Glucose Tolerance | LI04, ST36, ST37, ST39, ST40, SP06, SP09, BL18, BL20, BL21, LV03, LV13, LV14, CV12, GV09 | 112 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2014-4 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hyperlipidemia, Elevated Ldl-c, Elevated Tc, Elevated Tg | ST25, ST40, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, CV14 | 84 days | doi:10.1186/s13063-017-2029-x | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Loss of Appetite, Low-back Pain, Cough Chronic Intractable, Throat Dry, Lupus Nephropathy | LU07, LI04, LI20, ST21, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST41, SP04, SP06, SI03, BL13, BL18, BL23, BL62, KD03, KD06, PC06, TB05, GB41, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV22, GV01, GV08, GV14, GV24 | 18 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000009309 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Bloating, Abdominal Pain, Premenstrual Syndrome, Mood Irritability, Breast Tenderness, Depression Premenstrual | LI04, SP06, BL18, PC06, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV17, GV20 | 14 days | doi:10.1155/2019/6246285 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Copd, Reduced Quality Of Life | BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/s12906-020-02899-3 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Diarrhea, Abdominal Pain, Ulcerative Colitis, Blood In Stool | ST25, ST36, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL23, GV01 | 10 days | doi:10.1186/s12906-020-03101-4 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Insomnia, Lethargy, Diarrhea, Psychomotor Retardation, Depression Bipolar, Malaise General | LI04, ST25, ST27, ST36, SP06, BL15, BL18, BL20, PC06, GB20, GB21, LV03, CV04, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1177/1179547620967379 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Vomiting, Nausea, Abdominal Pain, Abdominal Bloating, Postprandial Fullness, Satiety Early, Gastroparesis Diabetic, Loss Of Appetite | ST21, ST25, ST36, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, PC06, CV12 | 22 days | doi:10.1155/2021/6649331 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Stool Loose, Menstruation Irregular, Vision Visual Field Defect, Vision Blind Spot, Neck Myofascial Pain | LI04, LI10, ST36, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT08, SI03, SI13, BL10, BL18, BL20, BL22, BL23, BL65, PC06, PC07, GB20, GB21, GB34, LV03, GV14, GV20, MS14 | 120 days | doi:10.1177/21649561211021081 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Cognitive Impairment Memory, Mild Cognitive Impairment Amnestic | BL18, BL23, GV14, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000027686 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dysuria, Leg Pain, Lower Back Pain, Spasticity, Balance Impaired, Lower Extremity Weakness, Gait Disturbance | LU08, ST34, ST36, ST37, SP01, SP02, SP03, SP10, HT08, BL15, BL16, BL17, BL18, BL19, KD03, KD07, LV01 | 23 days | doi:10.12998/wjcc.v9.i31.9691 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Depression, Insomnia, Poor Appetite, Lower Limb Weakness, Upper Limb Weakness, Muscle Atrophy Progressive, Paralysis Motor Neuron | LI04, LI10, LI11, LI15, ST32, ST36, ST41, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL23, KD03, PC06, TB05, GB20, GB34, CV04, CV06, CV12, CV23, GV14, GV20 | – | doi:10.1155/2022/6541600 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Sleep Disturbance, Restless Legs Syndrome, Lower Limb Abnormal Sensation | ST34, ST36, SP05, SP06, SP10, BL18, BL23, BL56, BL57, BL64, KD03, GB34, GB39 | 10 days | doi:10.1016/j.bj.2021.05.005 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Breast Pain, Mastalgia Cyclic, Breast Pain Premenstrual, Mammary Gland Hyperplasia | LI04, ST15, ST18, SP06, SI11, BL17, BL18, LV03, CV17 | 90 days | doi:10.1186/s12906-022-03779-8 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Headache, Sore Throat, Joint Pain, Muscle Pain, Fatigue Chronic, Sleep Unrefreshing, Memory Impaired, Fatigue Post-exertional, Cold Intolerance, Concentration Impaired, Yang Deficiency Spleen-kidney, Lumbar Weakness | BL11, BL13, BL14, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL22, BL23, BL25, GV02, GV03, GV04, GV05, GV06, GV07, GV08, GV09, GV10, GV11, GV12, GV13, GV14 | 28 days | doi:10.1186/s12967-023-04250-z | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Spasticity, Cerebral Palsy Spastic, Motor Impairment Gross Motor, Movement Disorder Posture | SP03, SP06, BL18, BL20, GB34, LV03 | 84 days | doi:10.2147/NDT.S424102 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Epilepsy Drug-resistant, Seizures Focal, Seizures Tonic-clonic | ST40, BL15, BL18, GB34, GV14, GV20 | 84 days | doi:10.1155/2023/5871991 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Osteoporosis, Back Low Pain, Muscle Weakness Skeletal, Sarcopenia | BL18, BL23, BL25, GV03, GV04 | 28 days | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210812 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Lumbar Pain, Low Back Pain, Lumbar Disc Herniation, Disc Herniation Lumbar, Restricted Range Of Motion Lumbar | ST25, BL18, BL23, GB34, GV14 | 28 days | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20210951 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Pelvic Pain, Anorectal Pain, Defecation Disorder, Pelvic Floor Dysfunction | BL18, BL23, BL25, BL33, BL34 | 28 days | doi:10.5152/tjg.2024.22516 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Constipation, Nausea, Liver Pain, Cancer Pain | LI04, ST36, BL17, BL18, PC06, LV03, LV13, LV14 | 7 days | doi:10.2147/JPR.S456874 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Depression, Absent Periods, Dysmenorrhea, Insomnia, Infertility, Arthralgia, Oligomenorrhea, Hot Flashes, Vaginal Dryness, Premature Ovarian Insufficiency | SP06, SP10, BL18, BL20, BL23, BL32, KD16, CV04, CV06 | 112 days | doi:10.3389/fmed.2024.1357824 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Fibromyalgia, Whole-body Pain, Mood Depressive | ST25, ST27, ST36, SP04, SP06, HT07, SI03, BL16, BL18, BL19, BL20, BL21, BL23, BL62, KD03, KD06, TB05, LV03, LV08 | 84 days | doi:10.7759/cureus.74385 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Hiv/aids, Immunodeficiency Immune Non-response, Substance Abuse Amphetamine | ST25, ST36, SP06, BL18, BL20, BL23, CV04, CV12 | 336 days | doi:10.1186/s12906-024-04724-7 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Knee Pain, Osteoarthritis Knee, Stiffness Knee | ST34, ST35, ST36, SP10, BL18, BL23, GB33, GB34 | 14 days | doi:10.1186/s12984-025-01692-y | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Insomnia, Restlessness Insomnia, Insomnia Chronic, Fatigue Daytime, Mood Disturbance, Liver-fire Heart-disturbance | HT07, BL15, BL18, LV03 | 24 days | doi:10.2147/NSS.S521578 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Epilepsy, Epilepsy Benign Childhood Epilepsy With Central Temporal Spikes, Seizure Generalized Tonic-clonic, Seizure Nocturnal, Tonic-Clonic Seizures, Childhood Epilepsy with Centrotemporal Spikes | BL13, BL18, GV06, GV08, GV11, GV14 | 90 days | doi:10.3389/fnhum.2025.1618266 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Tic Disorder Motor, Tic Disorder Vocal, Eye Blinking, Mouth Twitching, Sniffing, Throat Clearing | BL14, BL15, BL18, KD07, GB20, GV20 | 82 days | doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000045844 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Dry Eye, Perimenopausal Syndrome, Perimenopause, Dry Eye Perimenopausal | BL13, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL23, GB19 | 28 days | doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230536 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Airway Hyperresponsiveness, Asthma Intermittent, Asthma Mild | LU01, LU05, LU07, LU09, LU11, LI04, LI06, LI20, ST13, ST25, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP03, SP06, SP09, SP10, HT03, HT05, HT07, SI03, BL13, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, KD03, KD06, KD08, KD27, PC06, TB05, TB15, GB03, GB34, GB40, GB41, LV02, LV03, LV08, LV13, CV04, CV06, CV09, CV17, CV21, GV04, GV13 | 70 days | doi:10.1186/s13052-015-0155-1 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum | ST18, ST36, SI01, BL18, BL20, BL21, LV03, LV14, CV12, CV17, GV14 | 8 days | doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum | LU01, LI04, ST17, ST18, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV17 | 4 days | doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Lactation Insufficiency, Breastfeeding Postpartum | LI04, ST11, ST17, SP20, SI01, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL21, GB21, CV16, CV17 | 5 days | doi:10.22038/ijp.2020.54458.4305 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Fatigue, Blood Deficiency | ST36, SP04, SP06, HT07, BL17, BL18, LV08, GV20 | 30 days | doi:10.1177/2164956119870444 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Arthritis Rheumatoid, Joint Pain, Stiffness Morning, Inflammation Joint | LI04, ST36, BL18, BL23, GB39 | 42 days | doi:10.3389/fimmu.2022.829409 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Mild | BL18, BL23, GV14, GV16, GV20, GV24 | 56 days | doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Low Mood, Depression Cancer-related | BL13, BL15, BL17, BL18, BL20, BL23 | 42 days | doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.1036634 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| Anxiety, Low Mood, Depression Cancer-related | ST40, SP06, BL18, BL62 | 70 days | doi:10.3389/fonc.2022.1036634 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

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AcuiQ-authored prose (symptom and meridian descriptions, the wiki, the auricular crosswalk) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The assembled protocol compilation is not: build on it with attribution, but do not redistribute it whole as a dataset – https://acuiq.com/terms. The underlying findings are the cited sources' claims – each entry carries its citation; verify against the source before relying on it. Not medical advice: https://acuiq.com/terms