The conception meridian, or Ren Mai, is one of 8 extraordinary meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Unlike the 12 main meridians, extraordinary meridians aren’t linked with a particular organ. Their duties are more specialized.
Also known as the “Sea of Yin,” the conception meridian serves as a reservoir for yin energy. As the name suggests, the conception meridian plays a role in reproduction. But this energetic pathway also helps us move through life changes with more ease.
In this article, we’ll cover where the conception meridian is located in the body, what it does, and what you can do to balance this energetic channel.
Conception meridian structure
The conception meridian is paired with its yang partner, the governing meridian, or Du Mai. These two meridians are the only extraordinary meridians with their own unique acupoints. The governing meridian runs up the back of the body, while the conception meridian ascends through the front of the body.
The conception meridian has 24 acupoints that run through the midline of your body. It starts at the perineum and then goes up your abdomen, sternum, and throat. It ends at your lower lip, where it joins the governing meridian.
Since these acupoints move in front of numerous internal organs, the health of this meridian can have far-reaching effects on the body.
Conception meridian function
According to TCM theory, the conception meridian connects with the body’s 12 main meridians.1 Nicknamed the “Directing Vessel,” it stores and directs yin energy to balance the body’s energetic channels.
The conception vessel meridian controls the reproductive cycle, fertility, and libido. It directs qi to promote the production of cervical mucus, nourishes the uterus, and supports embryo development.2
The conception meridian helps the body through physical transitions like puberty, menstruation, childbirth, and menopause. But it also helps us move through life transitions like marriage, divorce, moving, career changes, and retirement.
Conception meridian issues
The conception vessel helps us birth new things, physically and energetically. When this energetic channel flows freely, we embrace change and can bring new things into the world. We take action toward our dreams, goals, and creative endeavors.
When this pathway is weak or blocked, we resist change, get stuck in ruts, and life feels stagnant.
Energetically, we expose our conception meridian when we feel confident and comfortable with the people around us.3 4 The more confident we feel, the more openly we expose this area.
In contrast, when we feel unsafe or attacked, we protect this area. We may hunch up into a ball, tighten our muscles, or turn our backs on perceived threats.
Symptoms of conception meridian issues
The conception meridian flows in front of many internal organs, including the sexual organs, stomach, heart, throat, and mouth. Because of this, when this energetic channel becomes imbalanced, it can disrupt several bodily processes.
Conception meridian imbalance may lead to symptoms related to reproductive and urinary health, such as:
- Infertility
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Painful periods
- Endometriosis
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Vaginal dryness
- Low libido
- Impotence
- Hernia
- Urinary incontinence
- Bladder infections
- Prolapse of the uterus or rectum1 2 3 4
Other symptoms of a blocked conception vessel meridian include:
- Abdominal masses due to qi stagnation
- Bloating
- Indigestion
- Abdominal pain
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Chest pain
- Heart palpitations
- Coughing
- Sore throat
- Swollen gums
- Dental problems1 2 3 4
If you’re dealing with many signs of conception meridian imbalance, consider consulting with an acupuncturist. They can assess you and provide treatment to help restore balance to your body.
How lifestyle impacts the conception meridian
Since the conception meridian influences so many other energetic channels, keeping this meridian balanced is vital for your overall health. Luckily, many simple lifestyle habits can help keep this energetic pathway open.
Here are a few ways you can support your conception meridian:
- Watch your posture. Maintaining good posture helps keep this area open. Be mindful of how you’re holding your body. Keep your head up, shoulders back, and heart forward.
- Try acupressure. It’s said that applying pressure to acupoints can promote energy flow.5 Tapping the acupoints along the conception meridian may help energy move more freely. For a walkthrough on these points, check out this video.
- Do some yoga. Heart opening poses such as backbends help the conception meridian area stay open. Try this yoga routine for a full heart-opening flow.
- Get to sleep early. Getting plenty of sleep is crucial if you’re deficient in yin energy. Aim to get to bed before 10 p.m. Ideally, wind down at 9 p.m., with lights out by 10 p.m.
- Take regular rest breaks. Resist the urge to go, go, go, and take regular rest breaks to recharge your energy. Sip a cup of tea, sit in nature, or simply take a few deep breaths.
- Give this exercise routine a try. Physical movement releases stagnant energy in the body. Try this quick 10-minute exercise routine to help the conception meridian stay in balance.
How diet impacts the conception meridian
Making some shifts to your dietary habits may also improve the health of your conception meridian.
Here are a few eating tips that may help balance yin energy:
- Limit or avoid coffee. Caffeine may offer a quick shot of energy. But it can leave you wired and interfere with sleep. For this reason, it’s not recommended for those who are yin deficient.
- Practice mindful eating. Slow down and allow time for meals. Put your phone away, turn off the TV, and eat free of distractions. Instead, savor each bite and feel gratitude for your food.
- Chew your food. Digestion starts in your mouth, NOT in your stomach. Chewing your food well means less energy is needed for digestion. Aim to chew each bite until it’s the consistency of applesauce.
- Eat plenty of cooked vegetables. Vegetables are rich in vital nutrients that nourish your body. But raw veggies are difficult to digest. Cooking vegetables makes them easier for your digestive system to break down.
- Say no to fried foods. Deep frying and roasting are said to increase yang energy. So if you’re yin deficient, aim for water-based cooking methods like steaming, boiling, or poaching.
Supplements & herbs for the conception meridian
There are a variety of traditional Chinese herbs that may support conception meridian health. These include:
- Bai Ji Li (Tribulus terrestris)
- Rou Gui (Cortex cinnamomi or cinnamon bark)
- Man Jing Zi (Fructus viticis or chaste tree berry)
- Ren Shen (Radix ginseng or ginseng root)
- Huang Qi (Radix astragali or astragalus)
- Dang Gui (Radix angelicae Sinensis)
- Shan Yao (Rhizoma dioscoreae or Chinese yam)
- Ma Ka Gen (Lepidium Meyenii walp or Chinese maca)
- Bai Shao (Radix paeoniae alba or white peony root)6
In addition, many essential oils are believed to promote balance in the conception vessel. For women, these include:
- Clary sage
- Citrus, including lemon and wild orange
- Geranium
- Ylang ylang
- Lavender
- Chamomile
- Rose7
Essential oils that may support conception meridian health in men include:
- Sandalwood
- Goldenrod
- Marjoram
- Sage
- Frankincense7
While these herbs may be helpful, everyone responds to them differently. That’s why it’s best to work with an herbalist or acupuncturist before starting new supplements. They can help you find the right herb and dosage for your body.
Conception Meridian stressor Virtual Item
A digital signature representing the conception meridian is automatically scanned in the Link app, along with the 12 primary meridians and governing meridian. It can also be scanned in the Select and Elite software.
You can see whether the body had an in-range (in balance) or out-of-range (out of balance) response to the Conception Meridian in the ZYTO Reports. If this stressor Virtual Item is out of range, you can also find which specific balancer Virtual Item (product, service, etc.) brought it back into range in the reports.
In addition to ZYTO scanning, the EVOX perception reframing software provides a way to address any underlying emotional issues that may be related to the conception meridian.
About Mindy Palmer
Mindy Palmer is a wellness writer and certified holistic health coach. She enjoys inspiring others to live healthier lives by creating informative content for leading-edge health and wellness brands.
Sources:
1. Kirkham, Derek. “Uncovering the 12 Meridians of Acupuncture.” Derek Kirkham. Acupuncturistseattle.com.
2. “Anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system.” Elsevier B.V., its licensors, and contributors. Sciencedirect.com.
3. Clogstoun-Wilmott, Jonathan. “Understanding the Conception Vessel.” Acupuncture Points. Acupunturepoints.org.
4. “Where and What is the Conception Channel (Vessel)?” Balanced Life Tai Chi. Balancedlifetaichi.com.
5. “Conception Vessel – Points, Definition, and Case Study of Positive Change.” Tai Chi Basics. Taichibasics.com.
6. “The Best Chinese Herbs for Fertility Success.” Original Breath. Originalbreath.com.
7. “11 + Essential Oils that Boost Fertility for Men & Women.” Healthy Happy Hippie. Healthyhappyhippieco.com.
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