GV23 Shangxing (Upper Star)

上星shàng xīngShangxing

Governing Vessel

Location of acupuncture point GV23 Shangxing (Upper Star)
29
Indications
64
Protocols
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Location

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

No specific contraindications.

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.

Loss of SmellBenefit EyesBenefit HeadBenefit NoseBleeding Mouth PersistentBleeding Nose PersistentCalm Spirit ShenDepressionNasal DischargeDischarge Nasal ClearDisease FebrilePsychological DisorderEyesight / Vision DizzyDizzy VisionEyesight / Vision Myopia Short SightednessMyopia Short Sightedness VisionMalariaObstruction NasalEye PainHeadachePolyp Nasal RednessRhinitisSpontaneous Sweating SwellingFacial SwellingHead Skin SwellingWindWind Head

Protocols using GV23

The 50 best-sourced of 64, ranked by strength of evidence. The count above is the full figure.

  • Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Rhinitis Persistent, Rhinorrhea, Itching NasalLI04, LI20, ST02, ST36, GV23 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-54)
  • Photophobia, Eye Pain, Vision Blurred, Dry Eye, Eye Itching, Eye Foreign Body Sensation, Eye Burning, Eye DrynessLU09, LU10, ST01, SP03, HT08, BL02, TB23, GB04, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-10-112)
  • Eye Pain, Dry Eye, Ocular Itching, Foreign Body Sensation, Burning, Dryness Eye, Visual Disturbance, Ocular RednessLI04, LI11, ST01, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-11-107)
  • Cough, Asthma, Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Dyspnea, Rhinorrhea, RhinosinusitisLU09, LU10, LI04, LI20, SP03, HT08, GV23 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep240)
  • Headache, Vomiting, Nausea, Migraine, Head PainLI04, ST08, ST36, ST40, ST44, SP06, BL02, BL10, BL11, BL60, PC06, TB05, GB02, GB08, GB14, GB34, GB41, LV02, LV03, GV18, GV23 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-12-241)
  • Dry Eye Syndrome, Ocular Discomfort, Tear Film InstabilityLI04, LI11, ST01, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0036638)
  • Hypertension, Blood Pressure ElevatedLI04, LI11, ST09, ST36, SP06, PC06, LV03, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.1155/2013/808971)
  • Eye Pain, Ocular Itching, Dryness Eye, Visual Disturbance, Ocular Redness, Dry Eye Post-refractive Surgery, Foreign Body Sensation Eye, Burning EyeLI04, LI11, ST01, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1186/1745-6215-14-351)
  • Dry Eye, Eye Dryness, Eye DiscomfortLU09, 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 LightheadednessGB08, 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 SevereGB08, GB09, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034)
  • Allergic Rhinitis, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Nasal Itching, RhinorrheaLU05, LU07, LI04, LI20, ST02, GV14, GV23 (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1432-z)
  • Hyposmia, Smell Loss Postinfectious, Anosmia, ParosmiaLU07, LI04, LI20, ST44, SP06, BL03, GV23 (doi:10.1007/s00405-021-06872-9)
  • Vision Loss, Macular Edema, Retinal Vein OcclusionTB05, TB23, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000028202)
  • Dizziness, Nausea, Vertigo, Balance Impaired, Vertigo Positional, Tinnitus Ear Stuffiness, Cold Sweats, Vertigo Positional ParoxysmalBL61, GB08, GB20, GB39, GB42, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000036032)
  • Nasal Congestion, Nasal Discharge, Sneezing, Rhinitis Allergic PerennialLU05, LI04, LI20, ST02, GV14, GV23 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20221293)
  • Neuropathic Pain, Herpes Zoster Head, Herpes Zoster Face, Neuralgia Postherpetic RiskST08, TB23, GB15, GV23 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000042066)
  • Depression, Sleep Disorder, Depression Mild-to-moderate, Anxiety SomatizationLU11, 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 WateringLI04, LI20, BL02, GB20, GV23 (doi:10.1186/s13063-019-3495-0)
  • Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment MildBL62, PC07, GV16, GV23 (doi:10.3389/fneur.2022.942682)
  • Memory Impaired, Cognitive Impairment MildST36, 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 ClearLI04, LI20, ST36, BL07, BL13, CV08, GV23 (doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29262)
  • Nasal Congestion, Allergic Rhinitis, Sneezing, Nasal Itching, Rhinorrhea ClearLU07, LI04, LI20, GV23 (doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29262)
  • Cognitive Impairment, Dementia Alzheimer, Functional DeclineGB20, GV20, GV23, GV24 (doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1548878)
  • HeadacheLI04, GB20, GV16, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.27282/d.cnki.gsdzu.2024.000791)
  • Anxiety, Depression, Insomnia Post-strokeLU11, 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 PersistentLI04, 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 InvoluntaryST36, ST40, SP06, PC06, LV03, GV20, GV23, GV26, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038546)
  • Hemiplegia, Upper Limb Weakness, Paralysis Hand, Apraxia Hand, Stroke PediatricLI04, LI11, SP06, PC06, GB07, GV20, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044948)
  • Parkinson's Disease, Cognitive Impairment MildST36, 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 StageGV20, GV23, GV24, XH03 (doi:10.27126/d.cnki.ghlzy.2025.000059)
  • Stroke Sequelae, Hand Problems, Apraxia Hand, Stroke Pediatric, Upper Limb WeaknessLI04, LI11, SP06, PC06, GB07, GV01, GV14, GV20, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044948)
  • Herpes Zoster, Facial Pain, Perimenopause, Herpes Zoster Head, Herpes Zoster FaceLU07, LI04, ST08, BL10, PC06, GB08, GB20, GB42, GV20, GV23 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250317-0002)
  • Asthma, Sinusitis, Allergic Rhinitis, Obstruction Nasal, RhinosinusitisLU09, LU10, LI04, LI20, SP03, HT08, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1093/ecam/nep240)
  • Allergic RhinitisLU05, LI04, LI20, ST02, GV14, GV23, XH03, XH08 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044429)
  • Panic Attack, Anxiety GeneralizedGB08, GB09, GV23, GV24, XH03, XH05 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034)
  • Macular Edema, Retinal Vein OcclusionTB05, TB23, GB20, GV23, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/md.0000000000028202)
  • Vision Decreased, Macular Edema, Retinal Vein OcclusionTB05, TB23, GB20, GV23, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000028202)
  • Smell Loss Postinfectious, Loss Of SmellLU07, LI04, LI20, ST44, SP06, BL03, GV23 (doi:10.1007/s00405-021-06872-9)
  • Allergic Rhinitis, Rhinitis Allergic PerennialLU05, LI04, LI20, ST02, GV14, GV23, XH03, XH08 (doi:10.13702/j.1000-0607.20221293)
  • Coma, Consciousness Disorder, Encephalitis AutoimmuneST36, ST40, SP06, PC06, LV03, GV23, GV26, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000038546)
  • Herpes Zoster, Herpes Zoster FaceST08, TB23, GB15, GV23, XH03, XH04, XH05 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000042066)
  • Depression PerimenopausalLU11, ST06, SP01, BL62, PC07, PC08, CV24, GV23, GV26 (doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20190308-0005)
  • Hemiplegia, Stroke SequelaeLI04, LI11, SP06, PC06, GB07, GV01, GV14, GV20, GV23, XH03 (doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000044948)
  • Anxiety, InsomniaGB08, GB09, GV23, GV24, XH03, XH05 (doi:10.7453/gahmj.2014.034)
  • Depression, Insomnia, Memory Loss, Slow Reaction, Difficulty Falling Asleep, Light Sleep, Early Waking Up, Exhaustion, Difficulty Thinking, InattentionST36, SP06, HT07, PC06, LV03, GV20, GV23 (ZHANG Yue-feng, REN Gui-fang & ZHANG Xiu-chun. Acupuncture plus Cupping for Treating Insomnia in College Students. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2010, 30(3): 185-188)
  • Hiccup, Epigastric DistensionLI11, BL62, PC07, LV03, CV08, GV23 (Wu Fei & Hu Ling-xiang. Clinical Application of Quick Cupping onto Shenque (CV 8). Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009, 29(4): 275-276)
  • InsomniaST25, ST36, ST40, SP06, SP09, HT07, BL14, BL15, BL18, BL20, BL21, BL23, KD03, PC06, GB20, GB41, LV03, CV04, CV06, CV12, CV17, GV20, GV23, GV24 (Ling Li et al. Clinical Study on the Visceral Differentiation-Based Acupuncture Therapy for Insomnia. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2008, 28(4): 270-273)
  • Neuralgia Trigeminal, Facial Trigeminal PainLI04, LI20, ST02, ST04, ST06, ST18, SI18, SI19, BL02, TB23, GB03, GB13, GB14, CV24, GV23 (Zhu Xiaojun. Electro-Acupuncture Combined with the Trigger Point Needle Embedding for Treatment of Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia in 32 Cases. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2003, 23(1): 78-80)
  • Dry Eye SyndromesLU09, LU10, ST01, SP03, HT08, BL02, TB23, GB14, GB20, GV23 (Acupuncture for Dry Eye Syndrome. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00969280)

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 Valley34 protocols
  • GB20Wind Pool20 protocols
  • GV20100 Convergences19 protocols
  • LI20Receiving Fragrance17 protocols
  • XH03Hall Of Impression Or Seal Hall15 protocols
  • LI11Pond At The Bend14 protocols
  • PC06Inner Gate14 protocols
  • SP06Three Yin Intersection14 protocols
  • ST36Leg Three Miles14 protocols
  • TB23Silken Bamboo Hollow13 protocols
  • LV03Great Surge12 protocols
  • BL02Gathered Bamboo10 protocols