Zhou Jian Elbow Tip

What does Zhou Jian do?

Zhou Jian transforms phlegm and disperses nodules, and clears toxic heat — a moxibustion-only extra point on the very tip of the elbow, valued for lumps, sores and abscesses.

• Transforms phlegm and disperses nodules — for the firm lumps (phlegm-nodules) of scrofula and of the neck, armpit and groin
• Clears toxic heat — to resolve carbuncles, furuncles (boils) and deep-rooted sores
• Especially valued for resolving intestinal abscess

A point for lumps, sores and abscesses. Zhou Jian’s whole character is the resolving of phlegm-nodules and toxic-heat swellings — scrofula (chronic neck nodes), boils and carbuncles, and abscesses, including intestinal abscess (the classical term overlapping appendicitis and abdominal abscess). It works by moxa (warmth and its resolving effect), being on bare bone at the elbow tip.

On the name. “Zhou Jian” means Elbow Tip — zhou the elbow, jian the tip or point. The point sits on the tip of the olecranon, the bony point of the elbow.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (extra-point action, location and translation records queried against our own data), cross-referenced against multiple online sources.

What is Zhou Jian used for?

Zhou Jian is used for scrofula, boils and carbuncles, deep-rooted ulcers, intestinal abscess, and nodules of the neck, armpit and groin. Our own indication record is reproduced here in full.

• Scrofula (chronic swollen or matted neck nodes)
• Carbuncles, furuncles (boils), and deep-rooted ulcers/sores
• Intestinal abscess
• Nodules of the neck, axilla (armpit) and inguinal (groin) regions

Lumps and suppuration. Every entry is a lump, nodule, sore or abscess — the phlegm-nodule and toxic-heat picture the point’s two actions address. It is a specialist point for these presentations, used by moxa.

An honest and necessary note. “Intestinal abscess” overlaps with appendicitis and abdominal abscess — a surgical emergency requiring immediate medical care, not moxibustion. A persistent neck, armpit or groin lump requires medical assessment — causes include infection, tuberculosis, lymphoma and other cancers. Carbuncles and deep sores, especially with fever or spreading redness, need medical treatment (antibiotics, sometimes drainage). This record documents classical use only, and, in the same breath, says these are conditions to have properly diagnosed and treated.

How it is combined. With LI-13 Shou Wu Li and LI-14 Bi Nao (both classical scrofula points) and SJ-10 Tian Jing for nodules. All held here.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (extra-point indication and action records; the LI-13, LI-14 and SJ-10 records queried from our own data), cross-referenced against multiple online sources.

Where is Zhou Jian located?

Zhou Jian is on the tip of the elbow — the bony point (olecranon) that sticks out at the back of the bent elbow.

• On the tip of the olecranon process of the ulna — the bony prominence at the back of the elbow
• Found with the elbow flexed, which makes the olecranon tip stand out clearly

The point of the elbow. Bending the elbow brings the olecranon — the hard point you lean on — into sharp relief; Zhou Jian sits right on its tip. It is bare bone under thin skin, which is exactly why it is a moxa point (see below), not a needling one.

On the name. “Zhou Jian” — Elbow Tip, as noted above.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (extra-point location and translation records, retained unchanged, against our own data).

• A Manual of Acupuncture (p. 580): On the tip of the olecranon process of the ulna.

How is Zhou Jian treated — and why is it not needled?

Our own record is clear: this point is treated by moxibustion only. What follows is a neutral record of what the reference literature documents. It is not instruction, and this page does not teach technique.

• Moxibustion only: treatment is given with direct moxa cones or a moxa stick, not by needle.
• Why not needled: the point sits directly over the bony tip of the olecranon, with only thin skin over bone — there is nothing to needle into, so moxa (which needs no penetration) is the method.
• A classical detail: for scrofula, it is traditionally moxaed on the elbow opposite the affected side (contralaterally).
• Regional anatomy: the olecranon tip, with the olecranon bursa over it and the ulnar nerve running in its groove on the inner side (not at the tip).

Hazard, stated proportionately. With moxa over bone this is a low-hazard point. The considerations are the ordinary ones of moxibustion — burn risk with direct cones — so it is applied carefully, and direct scarring moxa is used sparingly and with consent. There is no needle and so no needling hazard; our record carries no arterial caution.

What is not claimed. No needling depth applies — there is no needling. No case report was located.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (extra-point treatment record, retained unchanged — moxibustion only, against our own data), cross-referenced against multiple online sources; regional anatomy from standard anatomical description.

Is there research on Zhou Jian, and what should a reader know?

No trial isolates Zhou Jian. Where it appears it is one component of a protocol for lumps or sores, and a study that includes a point in a protocol is not evidence about that point.

What this page can state with confidence. Zhou Jian (“Elbow Tip”, EX-UE-1) is a moxibustion-only extra point on the tip of the elbow, used to transform phlegm, disperse nodules and clear toxic heat — for scrofula and nodules of the neck, armpit and groin, for boils and deep sores, and especially for intestinal abscess. It is never needled (bare bone beneath); classical practice moxas it contralaterally for scrofula.

A safety note that outranks any TCM claim. “Intestinal abscess” can be a surgical emergency, and any persistent lump needs diagnosis; this page records classical use and says so in the same breath.

A note on searching for it. Coded EX-UE-1; “Zhou Jian” also returns personal names. Any claim should be checked against what a study actually used.

Source: Sacred Lotus sources & references (extra-point action, indication and location records queried, against our own data).