# Acupoints for Melasma

3 sourced protocols for Melasma. Canonical page: https://acuiq.com/symptoms/melasma

## Protocols

| # | Points | Dosage | Frequency | Source | Kind | Caveat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LI04 (Junction Valley), LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), ST40 (Abundant Bulge), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP09 (Yin Mound Spring), SP10 (Sea Of Blood), BL23 (Kidney Shu Point), KD03 (Great Stream), LV03 (Great Surge), LV05 (Woodworm Channel) | – | – | doi:10.1155/2018/6438458 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 2 | LI11 (Pond At The Bend), ST36 (Leg Three Miles), SP06 (Three Yin Intersection), SP10 (Sea Of Blood) | – | – | doi:10.13194/j.issn.1673-842x.2017.12.032 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |
| 3 | GV09 (Reaching Yang), GV10 (Spirit Tower), GV20 (100 Convergences), GV24 (Spirit Court), XH01A (Four Spirit Brightness), XH01B (Four Spirit Brightness), XH01C (Four Spirit Brightness), XH01D (Four Spirit Brightness) | – | – | doi:10.13703/j.0255-2930.20250827-0003 | trial | Point selection reported in a published study. |

## Point locations

| Point | Name | Meridian | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI04 | Junction Valley | Large Intestine Meridian | On the dorsum of the hand between 1st & 2nd metacarpal bones approximately in the middle of the 2nd metacarpal bone on the radial side. |
| LI11 | Pond At The Bend | Large Intestine Meridian | When elbow is flexed point is in the depression the at the lateral end of the transverse cubital crease midway between LU05 and lateral epicondyle of the humerus. |
| ST36 | Leg Three Miles | Stomach Meridian | 3 thumb widths below ST35, 1 finger breadth (middle finger) from anterior border of the tibia. |
| ST40 | Abundant Bulge | Stomach Meridian | 8 thumb widths superior to the tip of the external malleolus, lateral to the ST38 about 2 finger breadth (middle finger) lateral to the anterior border of the tibia. |
| SP06 | Three Yin Intersection | Spleen Meridian | 3 thumb widths directly above the tip of the medial malleolus posterior to the medial border of the tibia. |
| SP09 | Yin Mound Spring | Spleen Meridian | On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia in the depression the posterior and inferior to the medial condyle of the tibia. |
| SP10 | Sea Of Blood | Spleen Meridian | When knee is flexed point is 2 thumb widths above the mediosuperior border of the patella on the bulge of the medial portion of the quadriceps femoris. |
| BL23 | Kidney Shu Point | Bladder Meridian | 1.5 thumb widths lateral to the GV04 at the level of the lower border of the spinous process of the 2nd lumbar vertebra. |
| KD03 | Great Stream | Kidney Meridian | In the depression the between tip of the medial malleolus and achilles tendon. |
| LV03 | Great Surge | Liver Meridian | On the dorsum of the foot in the depression the distal to the junction of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones. |
| LV05 | Woodworm Channel | Liver Meridian | 5 thumb widths above the tip of the medial malleolus on the midline of the medial surface of the tibia. |
| GV09 | Reaching Yang | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra approximately at the level with inferior angle of the scapula. |
| GV10 | Spirit Tower | Governing Vessel | Below spinous process of the 6th thoracic vertebra. |
| GV20 | 100 Convergences | Governing Vessel | On the midline of the head 5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline approximately on the midpoint of the line connecting apex of the ears. |
| GV24 | Spirit Court | Governing Vessel | 0.5 thumb widths directly above the midpoint of the anterior hairline. |
| XH01A | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |
| XH01B | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |
| XH01C | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |
| XH01D | Four Spirit Brightness | Extra Points: Head | Four points at the vertex of the scalp, grouped around baihui du-20 & located 1 thumb width anterior, posterior & lateral to the it. |

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AcuiQ-authored content (the protocol compilation, symptom and meridian prose, research essays) is licensed CC-BY-4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. 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