GV23 Shangxing (Upper Star)

Location

1 thumb width directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline.

Indications

Conditions for which GV23 is listed as indicated. An indication list is a reference index, not a prescription – see the protocols below for sourced treatments.

TCM actions

What classical sources say GV23 does in the terms of Chinese medicine theory. These describe the point, not a condition.

Protocols using GV23

The 50 best-sourced of 82, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

• Depression, Insomnia, Memory Loss, Slow Reaction, Difficulty Falling Asleep, Light Sleep, Early Waking Up, Exhaustion, Difficulty Thinking, Inattention – ST36, SP06, HT07, PC06, LV03, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60038-6 ↗)
• Hiccup, Epigastric Distension – LI11, BL62, PC07, LV03, CV08, GV23 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60081-9 ↗)
• Insomnia – ST25, ST36, ST40, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL14, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB20, GB41, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV12, CV17, GV20, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60009-1 ↗)
• Neuralgia Trigeminal, Facial Trigeminal Pain – LI04, LI20, ST02, ST04, ST06, ST18, SI18, SI19, BL02, TB23, GB03, GB13, GB14, CV24, GV23 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(08)60005-9 ↗)
• Cough, Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Dyspnea, Rhinorrhea, Rhinosinusitis – LU09, LU10, LI04, LI20, SP03, HT08, GV23 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep240 ↗)
• Dry Eye Syndrome, Ocular Discomfort, Tear Film Instability – LI04, LI11, ST01, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036638 ↗)
• Dry Eye, Eye Dryness, Eye Discomfort – LU09, LU10, ST01, SP03, HT08, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1111/j.1755-3768.2010.02027.x ↗)
• Fatigue, Anxiety, Palpitations, Insomnia, Shortness Of Breath, Chest Tightness, Panic Attack, Dizziness Lightheadedness – GB08, GB09, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034 ↗)
• Fatigue, Insomnia, Nausea, Nightmares, Weight Loss, Chest Pain, Back Pain, Hip Pain, Shoulder Pain, Irritability, Ptsd, Anxiety Severe – GB08, GB09, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034 ↗)
• Hyposmia, Smell Loss Postinfectious, Anosmia, Parosmia – LU07, LI04, LI20, ST44, SP06, BL03, GV23 (doi:10.1007/s00405-021-06872-9 ↗)
• Vision Loss, Macular Edema, Retinal Vein Occlusion – TB05, TB23, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000028202 ↗)
• Dizziness, Nausea, Vertigo, Balance Impaired, Vertigo Positional, Tinnitus Ear Stuffiness, Cold Sweats, Vertigo Positional Paroxysmal – BL61, GB08, GB20, GB39, GB42, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036032 ↗)
• Nasal Congestion, Nasal Discharge, Sneezing, Rhinitis Allergic Perennial – LU05, LI04, LI20, ST02, GV14, GV23 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20221293 ↗)
• Neuropathic Pain, Herpes Zoster Head, Herpes Zoster Face, Neuralgia Postherpetic Risk – ST08, TB23, GB15, GV23 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000042066 ↗)
• Depression, Sleep Disorder, Depression Mild-to-moderate, Anxiety Somatization – LU11, ST36, SP01, SP06, PC07, CV06, CV12, GV23, GV26 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20230243 ↗)
• Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis, Sneezing, Nasal Itching, Rhinorrhea, Eye Itching, Eye Watering – LI04, LI20, BL02, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3495-0 ↗)
• Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Mild – BL62, PC07, GV16, GV23 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682 ↗)
• Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment Mild – ST36, KD13, KD14, GB39, GV14, GV15, GV16, GV20, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682 ↗)
• Nasal Congestion, Sleep Disturbed, Allergic Rhinitis, Sneezing, Nasal Itching, Rhinorrhea Clear – LI04, LI20, ST36, BL07, BL13, CV08, GV23 (doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29262 ↗)
• Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis, Sneezing, Nasal Itching, Rhinorrhea Clear – LU07, LI04, LI20, GV23 (doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29262 ↗)
• Cognitive Impairment, Dementia Alzheimer, Functional Decline – GB20, GV20, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1548878 ↗)
• Headache – LI04, GB20, GV16, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.27282/d.cnki.gsdzu.2024.000791 ↗)
• Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia Post-stroke – LU11, LI11, ST06, SP01, BL62, PC07, PC08, CV01, CV24, GV16, GV23, GV26 (doi:10.27258/d.cnki.gnxyc.2024.000499 ↗)
• Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Discharge, Sneezing, Rhinitis Persistent – LI04, LI19, LI20, ST36, SP06, BL13, BL20, BL23, GB20, GV16, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1186/s13063-015-0707-0 ↗)
• Fever, Seizure, Autonomic Dysfunction, Consciousness Impaired, Encephalitis Autoimmune, Mental Abnormality, Memory Disorder, Movement Involuntary – ST36, ST40, SP06, PC06, LV03, GV20, GV23, GV26, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038546 ↗)
• Hemiplegia, Upper Limb Weakness, Paralysis Hand, Apraxia Hand, Stroke Pediatric – LI04, LI11, SP06, PC06, GB07, GV20, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044948 ↗)
• Parkinson's Disease, Cognitive Impairment Mild – ST36, SP03, HT08, BL62, BL66, KD03, KD06, PC08, CV12, CV14, GV20, GV23, GV24, XH03 (doi:10.27126/d.cnki.ghlzy.2025.000006 ↗)
• Depression Parkinson's Disease, Parkinson's Disease Early Stage – GV20, GV23, GV24, XH03 (doi:10.27126/d.cnki.ghlzy.2025.000059 ↗)
• Stroke Sequelae, Hand Problems, Apraxia Hand, Stroke Pediatric, Upper Limb Weakness – LI04, LI11, SP06, PC06, GB07, GV01, GV14, GV20, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044948 ↗)
• Herpes Zoster, Facial Pain, Perimenopause, Herpes Zoster Head, Herpes Zoster Face – LU07, LI04, ST08, BL10, PC06, GB08, GB20, GB42, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250317-0002 ↗)
• Headache Tension-type – LI04, GB20, GB21, LV03, GV23 (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(10)60063-5 ↗)
• Dementia Senile – ST36, ST40, HT04, HT07, BL23, KD03, KD07, PC06, PC07, GV04, GV12, GV14, GV15, GV16, GV20, GV23, GV24, GV26, XH01A, XH01B, XH01C, XH01D (doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(09)60071-6 ↗)
• Asthma, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Obstruction Nasal, Rhinosinusitis – LU09, LU10, LI04, LI20, SP03, HT08, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep240 ↗)
• Allergic Rhinitis – LU05, LI04, LI20, ST02, GV14, GV23, XH03, XH08 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044429 ↗)
• Panic Attack, Anxiety Generalized – GB08, GB09, GV23, GV24, XH03, XH05 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034 ↗)
• Macular Edema, Retinal Vein Occlusion – TB05, TB23, GB20, GV23, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/md.0000000000028202 ↗)
• Vision Decreased, Macular Edema, Retinal Vein Occlusion – TB05, TB23, GB20, GV23, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000028202 ↗)
• Smell Loss Postinfectious, Loss Of Smell – LU07, LI04, LI20, ST44, SP06, BL03, GV23 (doi:10.1007/s00405-021-06872-9 ↗)
• Allergic Rhinitis, Rhinitis Allergic Perennial – LU05, LI04, LI20, ST02, GV14, GV23, XH03, XH08 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20221293 ↗)
• Coma, Consciousness Disorder, Encephalitis Autoimmune – ST36, ST40, SP06, PC06, LV03, GV23, GV26, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038546 ↗)
• Herpes Zoster, Herpes Zoster Face – ST08, TB23, GB15, GV23, XH03, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000042066 ↗)
• Depression Perimenopausal – LU11, ST06, SP01, BL62, PC07, PC08, CV24, GV23, GV26 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190308-0005 ↗)
• Hemiplegia, Stroke Sequelae – LI04, LI11, SP06, PC06, GB07, GV01, GV14, GV20, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044948 ↗)
• Anxiety, Insomnia – GB08, GB09, GV23, GV24, XH03, XH05 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034 ↗)
• Depression Cancer-related – BL62, LV03, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1717290 ↗)
• Perimenopausal Syndrome – ST36, SP06, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.3389/fendo.2026.1880483 ↗)
• Olfactory Dysfunction Post-covid – LU07, LI04, LI20, ST36, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.1177/27536130251343834 ↗)
• Paralysis Facial Peripheral, Facial Paralysis Intractable – LI04, LI20, ST06, ST08, ST36, TB17, TB23, GB14, GV23, XH04, XH29 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2018.03.010 ↗)
• Carbon Monoxide Poisoning – LI10, LI15, ST40, SP06, SP09, PC06, TB05, GB30, GB34, CV23, GV20, GV23, GV26, XH01A, XH01B, XH01C, XH01D, XH03, XH12 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.2019.07.005 ↗)
• Dry Eye – LI04, LI11, ST01, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036638 ↗)

Most often selected alongside GV23

How many sourced protocols in the index pair each point with GV23. Corpus frequency, not a combination to use.

• LI04Junction Valley43 protocols
• GV20100 Convergences27 protocols
• LI20Receiving Fragrance26 protocols
• GB20Wind Pool24 protocols
• XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall20 protocols
• ST36Leg Three Miles17 protocols
• TB23Silken Bamboo Hollow17 protocols
• PC06Inner Gate16 protocols
• SP06Three Yin Intersection16 protocols
• LI11Pond At The Bend15 protocols
• LV03Great Surge14 protocols
• GV26Philtrum13 protocols

Other points on the Governing Vessel