ST 40 — Fēng Lóng (丰隆) — Bountiful Bulge
ST 40 (Feng Long, "Bountiful Bulge") is the primary acupuncture point for transforming phlegm and resolving damp anywhere in the body. Located halfway between the lower border of the patella and the lateral malleolus, two finger-widths lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia, it is used clinically for productive cough, sinus congestion, asthma, oedema, dizziness from phlegm-damp, foggy thinking, weight gain with damp accumulation, and conditions involving thick mucus or fluid retention. It is the Luo-Connecting point of the Stomach channel.
On this page
1. Overview
ST 40 — Fēng Lóng (丰隆) — is an acupuncture point on the Stomach meridian. Its English name, Bountiful Bulge, reflects the point’s classical character and location. It is one of the most clinically important points in acupuncture practice and is used regularly in the treatment of a range of conditions.
I am Dr (TCM) Attilio D’Alberto, a member of the British Acupuncture Council with over 25 years of clinical experience. I use ST 40 as part of individually tailored acupuncture prescriptions at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire.
2. Location
8 cun above the tip of the lateral malleolus, one finger-breadth lateral to ST 38 (Tiaokou), two finger-breadths lateral to the anterior crest of the tibia.
3. Actions
- Resolves Phlegm from any part of the body — the most important Phlegm-resolving point
- Harmonises the Stomach and descends rebellious Qi
- Calms the Mind and resolves Phlegm misting the Heart
- Activates the meridian and relieves pain
4. Indications
- Phlegm obstruction — the primary point for all Phlegm disorders
- PCOS — resolves Phlegm-Damp obstructing ovulation
- Cough and asthma with copious phlegm
- Dizziness and vertigo from Phlegm
- Nausea and vomiting from Phlegm in the Stomach
- Mania and mental disturbance from Phlegm misting the Heart
- Goitre and lymph node swellings from Phlegm accumulation
- Obesity from Phlegm-Damp
5. Needling
Perpendicular insertion 1.0–1.5 cun.
Important: Acupuncture should only be performed by a fully qualified practitioner. Never attempt self-needling. All needles I use are sterile, single-use and disposed of immediately after treatment in a clinical sharps container.
6. Clinical notes
ST 40 is the Luo-Connecting point of the Stomach meridian and is the pre-eminent Phlegm-resolving point in all of acupuncture. The classical saying 'For Phlegm, use Fenglong' reflects its central importance. It is essential in the treatment of PCOS where Phlegm-Damp obstruction prevents the follicle from maturing and releasing the egg. Combined with SP 9 (Yinlingquan), it forms the most powerful two-point combination for resolving Phlegm-Damp. In mental health, ST 40 is used to resolve Phlegm misting the Mind in conditions of confusion, mania and bipolar disorder.
7. Treatment at my clinic
I use ST 40 as part of tailored acupuncture prescriptions for conditions including PCOS, Tinnitus, High blood pressure. Each treatment is individually designed following a full TCM assessment.
I see patients in person at my clinic in Wokingham, Berkshire. Visit the prices page for consultation fees. Return to the acupuncture points directory or the acupuncture main page.
