Xuehai (SP10 血海): The Sea of Blood Point for Skin, Menstruation, and Circulation
Xuehai (血海 SP10), 'Sea of Blood,' is a key Spleen meridian point for treating all blood-related disorders. Learn its location, role in skin disease, menstrual and gynecological conditions, and how to apply safe acupressure.
A Point Whose Name Tells You Its Job
Some acupoints earn evocative names by reputation. Xuehai (血海, Xuèhǎi) simply means “Sea of Blood,” and the name is the whole instruction manual. It sits on the Spleen meridian, and in TCM theory the Spleen is the organ that transforms food into Qi and blood and keeps the blood within the vessels. So when blood is deficient, stagnant, hot, or bleeding outward, the Spleen’s own “sea of blood” is one of the first places a practitioner turns.
Whatever the blood is doing wrong — too little of it, stuck and not moving, or hot and inflamed — Xuehai is on the short list of points that can influence it.
Location
- Anatomical: On the medial (inner) thigh, in a depression above the upper, inner border of the kneecap, about 2 cun above the medial superior angle of the patella, in the belly of the vastus medialis muscle.
- Quick method: Press the palm flat over the kneecap so the fingers point upward and the thumb naturally falls along the inner thigh; the tip of the thumb lands near Xuehai. Press for the characteristic sore, tender spot.
- Clinical needle depth: 1–1.5 cun, perpendicular.
For self-massage, sit with the knee slightly bent, find the tender spot on the inner thigh just above the kneecap, and press steadily with the thumb for one to three minutes on each leg.
Key Functions
1. Invigorates and Harmonizes Blood (活血化瘀)
Xuehai is a primary point for moving stagnant blood — the dull, fixed, stabbing pain that TCM reads as blood stasis. It is used for pain that is fixed in location, purplish or clotted menstrual blood, and chronic pain conditions where stasis is part of the picture.
2. Nourishes and Generates Blood (补血养血)
Because it belongs to the Spleen — the source of postnatal Qi and blood — Xuehai helps when blood is deficient: pallor, dizziness, blurred vision, brittle nails, scanty or absent periods, and dry skin. It is often paired with the famous nourishing combination Zusanli (足三里 ST36) and Sanyinjiao (三阴交 SP6).
3. Cools Blood and Stops Bleeding (凉血止血)
When blood runs hot it tends to escape the vessels, producing nosebleeds, heavy periods, blood in the urine or stool, and red eruptive skin. Xuehai cools the blood and helps re-anchor it within the vessels.
4. Clears Wind-Heat from the Skin (祛风止痒)
This is Xuehai’s best-known modern use. TCM interprets chronic, itchy, red skin conditions — eczema (湿疹), hives (荨麻疹), neurodermatitis, and psoriasis — as wind-heat or wind-damp-heat combined with blood heat or blood stasis. Since “to treat wind, first treat the blood; when blood moves, wind dies out on its own” (治风先治血，血行风自灭), Xuehai — the sea of blood — becomes central to almost every skin-disease point prescription. It is classically paired with Quchi (曲池 LI11) to form the celebrated dermatology duo.
5. Regulates Menstruation and Benefits Women’s Health
On the Spleen channel and overlapping the Liver’s domain over blood, Xuehai is one of the most frequently used points for gynecological complaints: irregular or painful periods, amenorrhea, and abnormally heavy bleeding (崩漏). Combined with Sanyinjiao (SP6) it is a staple combination for menstrual regulation.
Common Combinations
| Goal | Typical pairing |
|---|---|
| Wind-heat skin disease, itching | Xuehai (SP10) + Quchi (LI11) + Sanyinjiao (SP6) |
| Menstrual pain / irregularity | Xuehai (SP10) + Sanyinjiao (SP6) + Taichong (LR3) |
| Blood deficiency (pallor, fatigue) | Xuehai (SP10) + Zusanli (ST36) + Pishu (BL20) |
| Blood-heat bleeding | Xuehai (SP10) + Sanyinjiao (SP6) + Yinlingquan (SP9) |
Self-Care and Precautions
- For itchy or inflamed skin: gentle but firm pressure on both legs, 1–3 minutes, once or twice daily; often more effective when combined with Quchi on the arm.
- For menstrual discomfort: begin gentle self-massage a few days before the period, combined with warmth.
- During pregnancy, deep stimulation of blood-moving points like Xuehai is generally avoided — consult a qualified practitioner. As always, do not needle or press strongly over broken or infected skin.
Key Takeaways
- Xuehai (SP10), the “Sea of Blood,” is a Spleen-meridian point located just above the inner kneecap.
- It governs blood in every state: it moves stasis, nourishes deficiency, cools heat, and stops bleeding.
- It is a cornerstone of TCM dermatology for wind-heat skin disease, classically paired with Quchi (LI11).
- It is one of the most-used points for menstrual and gynecological regulation.
- Self-massage is simple and generally safe, with the usual cautions in pregnancy and over injured skin.
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FAQ
Who is this article for?
Readers interested in a practical acupoint used for skin conditions, menstrual health, and blood-related patterns.
Can this article replace professional medical advice?
No. This content is educational only and should not replace diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional.
Disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.