What is Yin Ling Quan used for?

Yin Ling Quan (SP9) is TCM's most important acupoint for resolving dampness. It is used to treat edema, water retention, urinary difficulty, heavy feeling in the body, diarrhea, abdominal distension, knee pain, and vaginal discharge. As the He-Sea point of the Spleen meridian, it powerfully drains dampness and promotes fluid metabolism. If a condition involves dampness — whether edema, joint swelling, digestive sluggishness, or urinary issues — Yin Ling Quan is almost always included in the treatment. It is commonly paired with Yang Ling Quan (GB34) for comprehensive leg and dampness treatment.

How do I find and stimulate Yin Ling Quan?

Yin Ling Quan is located on the inner side of the leg, just below the knee. To find it: sit with your knee bent at 90 degrees, feel for the rounded bone (tibial condyle) on the inner side of the shin, then find the tender depression just below and behind this bone. The point is in a natural dip where the calf muscle meets the shin bone. For acupressure: press firmly with your thumb for 3-5 minutes, using small circular motions. You should feel a distinct ache or soreness — this means you've found the right spot. Press both legs daily for dampness management. It's especially effective when combined with Zu San Li (ST36) and San Yin Jiao (SP6).

Yin Ling Quan (SP9 阴陵泉): TCM's Most Important Acupoint for Resolving Dampness and Edema

What Is Yin Ling Quan?

Yin Ling Quan (阴陵泉), Spleen 9 (SP9), is the most important acupoint in TCM for resolving dampness. Its name translates to “Yin Mound Spring” — describing its location on the inner leg and its function of causing dampness to “spring” or drain away.

As the He-Sea point of the Spleen meridian, Yin Ling Quan has a powerful effect on fluid metabolism. The Spleen is the organ responsible for transforming and transporting fluids in TCM — when Spleen function is impaired, dampness accumulates. Yin Ling Quan directly addresses this accumulation.

Basic Information

Property	Details
Name	阴陵泉 (Yīn Líng Quán) — “Yin Mound Spring”
Meridian	Spleen (SP)
Point number	SP9
Category	He-Sea point (合穴)
Five Element	Water (Water point on Earth meridian)
Location	Inner leg, below the knee

Location

How to find Yin Ling Quan:

Sit with knee bent at approximately 90 degrees
Locate the medial tibial condyle (the bony bump on the inner shin, just below the knee)
Find the depression posterior and inferior to this bump
The point lies in the natural hollow between the tibia and the calf muscle
Press firmly — a distinct soreness confirms the location

Anatomical reference: On the lower border of the medial condyle of the tibia, in the depression between the posterior border of the tibia and the calf muscle.

TCM Functions

Primary Actions

Resolves dampness (利湿) — the #1 dampness point in the body
Promotes urination (通利小便) — drains fluids through the urinary pathway
Strengthens the Spleen (健脾) — supports fluid metabolism
Reduces swelling (消肿) — for edema and joint swelling

Meridian Connections

Spleen meridian — directly regulates fluid transformation
Water point on Earth meridian — the Water element point gives it special dampness-draining ability
He-Sea point — where meridian Qi gathers deeply, giving strong systemic effects

Clinical Applications

1. Edema and Water Retention (水肿)

The most important application:

Swelling in the lower limbs
Facial puffiness
Generalized water retention
Combined with Zu San Li (ST36), San Yin Jiao (SP6), Shui Fen (CV9)

2. Urinary Difficulty (小便不利)

Difficulty urinating, weak stream
Frequent urination with small volume
Combined with Zhong Ji (CV3), San Yin Jiao (SP6)

3. Damp-Diarrhea (湿泻)

Watery diarrhea from dampness
Abdominal bloating and heaviness
Poor appetite
Combined with Zu San Li (ST36), Tian Shu (ST25)

4. Heavy, Painful Joints (湿痹)

Joint pain and swelling from damp Bi syndrome
Heavy feeling in the limbs
Worse in damp weather
Combined with Yang Ling Quan (GB34), Zu San Li (ST36)

5. Vaginal Discharge (带下)

Excessive vaginal discharge
Dampness pouring downward
Combined with San Yin Jiao (SP6), Dai Mai (GB26)

6. Knee Pain (膝痛)

Pain on the inner aspect of the knee
Knee swelling with dampness
Often treated together with nearby points

Key Point Combinations

Combination	Purpose
SP9 + ST36	Dampness + Spleen strengthening — the classic pair
SP9 + SP6	Dampness + Blood/Spleen/Kidney support
SP9 + GB34	Inner knee + outer knee = comprehensive knee treatment
SP9 + CV9 (Shui Fen)	Systemic edema and fluid retention
SP9 + CV3 (Zhong Ji)	Urinary difficulty

Acupressure Technique

Self-Care for Dampness

Sit comfortably with legs accessible
Locate the point below the inner knee
Press firmly with the thumb pad
Use slow, circular motions
Apply steady pressure for 3-5 minutes per leg
Expect a strong ache or soreness — this is normal
Practice daily, especially during humid seasons

Enhancing the Effect

Press after a warm shower when muscles are relaxed
Combine with Zu San Li and San Yin Jiao for comprehensive dampness management
Press in the morning to support daytime fluid metabolism
During humid weather, increase to twice daily

Moxibustion

Moxa is excellent on Yin Ling Quan for cold-damp patterns
Use indirect moxa for 10-15 minutes
Particularly effective for cold-damp joint pain and diarrhea
Combine with moxa on Zu San Li and Shen Shu for systemic dampness

Precautions

Situation	Guidance
Pregnancy	Use gentle pressure only — avoid strong stimulation
Skin infection	Do not needle or press over infected skin
Deep vein thrombosis	Avoid strong pressure on the legs
After meals	Wait 30 minutes before acupressure

Key Takeaways

Yin Ling Quan (SP9) is the #1 acupoint for dampness — “if there’s dampness, use SP9”
He-Sea point of the Spleen meridian with strong fluid-regulating power
Treats edema, urinary difficulty, diarrhea, joint swelling, and vaginal discharge
Best combined with Zu San Li (ST36) and San Yin Jiao (SP6)
Daily acupressure is effective for dampness self-management

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only. Consult a licensed acupuncturist or healthcare professional for proper treatment.