KD 2 — Rán Gǔ (然谷) — Blazing Valley
KD 2 (Ran Gu, “Blazing Valley”) is the Ying-spring point of the Kidney channel. Its name reflects its action of clearing Empty-Fire (the deficiency Heat that arises when Kidney Yin is depleted). Located on the medial foot below the navicular tuberosity, it is used for night sweats, sore throat from Yin deficiency, and seminal emissions.
On this page
1. About KD 2 (Ran Gu)
KD 2 — Rán Gǔ — is the Ying-spring point of the Kidney meridian. Ying-spring points are classically used to clear Heat from their channel, and KD 2 is unusual in that this clearing function is more useful for the Empty-Heat of Kidney Yin deficiency than for any robust full-Heat pattern.
2. KD 2 location
On the medial side of the foot, in the depression below the tuberosity of the navicular bone, at the border between the red and white skin.
3. Actions
- Clears Empty-Fire and nourishes Kidney Yin
- Stops night sweats
- Regulates the uterus
- Strengthens the Kidney to consolidate essence
4. Indications
- Night sweats from Kidney Yin deficiency
- Sore throat from Yin deficiency with deficiency Heat
- Diabetes mellitus (Xiao Ke syndrome)
- Hot flushes in menopause
- Seminal emissions, premature ejaculation
- Itching of the genitals from Yin deficiency Heat
- Postpartum dizziness
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 0.3–0.5 cun.
6. Clinical notes
KD 2 is the key acupuncture point for the clinical presentation of night sweats with Kidney Yin deficiency — particularly useful in menopausal hot flushes and night sweats, post-viral debility, and the “deficiency Heat” that accompanies long-term Yin depletion. Often combined with KD 3 (Tai Xi), SP 6 and HT 6 (Yin Xi).
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use KD 2 within tailored acupuncture prescriptions for menopausal night sweats, hot flushes and Yin deficiency presentations. I see patients at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
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