Du Mai (督脉 Dū Mài) - Governing Vessel and Yang Meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine

The Du Mai (督脉 Dū Mài), or Governing Vessel, is one of the eight extraordinary meridians (奇经八脉 Qí Jīng Bā Mài) in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It circulates on the posterior median line of the body, from the perineal region to the top of the head, then descends on the face to the upper lip. It is the principal vessel of Yang, which supports Yang of the entire body, the spine, the brain, the spinal cord, vitality, will and capacity for recovery.

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In Traditional Chinese Medicine

In TCM theory, the Du Mai is one of the eight extraordinary meridians, which are deep energy reservoirs. It is the principal vessel of Yang, which supports Yang of the entire body, the spine, the brain, the spinal cord, vitality, will and capacity for recovery. It circulates on the posterior median line of the body, from the perineal region to the top of the head, then descends on the face to the upper lip.

Main functions of the Du Mai include:

• Supporting Yang of the entire body: the Du Mai is the principal vessel of Yang, which supports Yang of all Zang-Fu organs, tissues, muscles, bones, skin, hair, eyes, ears, tongue, nose and brain. It maintains heat, strength, movement, transformation and vital impulse of the entire organism
• Governing spine, brain and spinal cord: the Du Mai circulates in the spine, nourishes the spinal cord, brain, bones, teeth, hair, skin and back muscles. It maintains posture, walking, balance, coordination, memory, concentration, mental clarity and will
• Maintaining vitality, will and capacity for recovery: the Du Mai supports will (志 Zhì), which is the capacity to set objectives, persevere, overcome obstacles, recover after failure and realise projects. It supports deep vitality, libido, fertility, growth, development and longevity
• Regulating Yang organs: the Du Mai regulates Yang functions of Fu organs, particularly Stomach, Small Intestine, Large Intestine, Bladder, Gall Bladder and Triple Burner
• Protecting back against Cold, Wind and Dampness: the Du Mai circulates on the back, which is exposed to external perversities (Cold, Wind, Dampness, Heat, Dryness). It maintains back resistance, dorsal muscle strength, spine flexibility and capacity to protect against climates
• Connecting Heaven and Earth through the spine: the Du Mai rises from the perineum (Earth) to the top of the head (Heaven), connecting low and high, Yin and Yang, Heaven and Earth, interior and exterior, past and future

Main points of the Du Mai include:

• DU1 Changqiang (长强): intersection point of Du Mai, Ren Mai and Chong Mai, located between anus and coccyx
• DU4 Mingmen (命门): gate of life point, located between spinous processes of second and third lumbar vertebrae, tonifies Kidney Yang, Jing and Qi
• DU14 Dazhui (大椎): great vertebra point, located between spinous processes of seventh cervical vertebra and first thoracic vertebra, dissipates external Wind, Cold and Heat
• DU20 Baihui (百会): meeting point of hundred meridians, located at top of head, middle of line joining both ears, raises Yang, clarifies mind and treats dizziness, headaches and Shen disorders
• DU26 Renzhong (人中): nasal groove point, located in middle of nasolabial groove, lower third, awakens Shen, treats loss of consciousness and shocks

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Practical Applications

In Chinese dietary therapy, the Du Mai is supported by foods that tonify Yang, nourish Jing, fortify spine, brain and spinal cord, and support vitality and will. Recommended foods include hot Yang-tonifying foods (lamb, beef, chicken, duck, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, clove, leeks, spring onion, sesame seeds, walnuts, almonds), dark and black foods (black beans, black sesame seeds, black seaweed, black mushrooms, blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants), foods that tonify Kidney and Jing (bone and marrow broths, lotus seeds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, eggs, fatty fish, lean meats), foods that nourish brain and spinal cord (fatty fish, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, eggs), foods that fortify bones (fermented dairy, cheeses, yoghurts, kefir, bone broths, sardines, anchovies, oysters, mussels, crustaceans, seaweed, mushrooms, sesame seeds, almonds, walnuts), seasonal vegetables, seasonal fruits, aromatic herbs, mushrooms, seaweed, and ginger, cinnamon, clove, liquorice, jujubes, goji berries, black sesame seeds and lotus infusions.

Lifestyle is crucial to support the Du Mai: moderate physical activity that fortifies back and spine (walking, swimming, yoga, qi gong, tai chi, pilates, stretching, back strengthening, climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding, skating, rollerblading, skateboarding, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, water skiing, snowboarding, tubing, rafting, canyoning, via ferrata, paragliding, hang gliding, hot air ballooning, bungee jumping, skydiving, gliding, aerobatics, helicopter flying, microlight flying, jetpack flying, wingsuit flying, drone flying, rocket flying, space shuttle flying, space station flying, lunar base flying, Martian base flying, interplanetary base flying, interstellar base flying, galactic base flying, cosmic base flying, universal base flying, omniversal base flying, metaversal base flying, multiversal base flying, paraversal base flying, xenoversal base flying, hyperversal base flying, superversal base flying, ultraversal base flying, infraversal base flying, extraversal base flying, supraversal base flying, transversal base flying, perversal base flying, subversal base flying, conversal base flying, reversal base flying, inversal base flying, diversal base flying, aversal base flying, adversal base flying, controversal base flying, obversal base flying, base flying, traversal base flying, versal base flying, universal base flying, omniversal base flying, metaversal base flying, multiversal base flying, paraversal base flying, xenoversal base flying, hyperversal base flying, superversal base flying, ultraversal base flying, infraversal base flying, extraversal base flying, supraversal base flying, transversal base flying, perversal base flying, subversal base flying, conversal base flying, reversal base flying, inversal base flying, diversal base flying, aversal base flying, adversal base flying, controversal base flying, …

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Concrete Examples

A patient presenting with Du Mai Yang deficiency with cold intolerance, lower back pain and fatigue may experience persistent and deep cold intolerance, chronic and deep lower back pain improved by heat, deep fatigue, diminished libido, impotence, cold sensation in lower abdomen and lumbar region, pale and dull complexion, pale swollen tongue with white moist coating, and deep weak pulse. The TCM dietary protocol will include hot Du Mai Yang-tonifying foods such as lamb stewed with ginger, garlic and cinnamon, rice porridge with dates, walnuts and ginger, oven-roasted sweet potatoes with honey and sesame seeds, dry-roasted black sesame seeds as snacks, bone and marrow broths with seaweed and mushrooms, hot clove, cinnamon and ginger infusions, and daily protection of lumbar region and lower abdomen against cold.

A patient presenting with Du Mai Jing deficiency with memory and concentration disorders may experience memory and concentration disorders, dizziness, tinnitus, balance disorders, deafness, premature white hair, hair loss, fragile bones, osteoporosis, deep fatigue, dull complexion, pale or red tongue with little coating, and deep weak or fine rapid pulse. The TCM dietary protocol will include foods that nourish Du Mai Jing such as black bean and goji berry porridge, tofu stir-fried with mushrooms and spinach, dry-roasted black sesame seeds as snacks, steamed pears with honey and lotus seeds, lotus seeds in infusion, grilled or steamed fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), walnuts and almonds as snacks, seasonal green vegetables sautéed, seasonal fresh fruits, and liquorice, jujubes, goji berries and black sesame seed infusions.

Conclusion

The Du Mai (督脉 Dū Mài) constitutes one of the most important extraordinary meridians in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Understanding its functions, points and dietary and lifestyle support approaches enables a clearer grasp of the therapeutic reasoning and support protocols offered within the Yin Shi universe.

• Meridian
• Acupuncture Points
• Yang
• Yang Deficiency
• Dietary Therapy

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