The governing meridian is considered one of the 8 extraordinary meridians in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). While the 12 main meridians are each connected with a related organ, extraordinary meridians are not. Instead, they serve special functions.
According to TCM, the governing meridian (also known as Du Mai) connects and governs all yang channels. Nicknamed the “sea of all yang meridians,” it acts as a reservoir for yang energy.
In this article, we’ll explore where the governing meridian is located, how it relates to your health, and what you can do to help it stay balanced.
Governing meridian structure
The governing meridian is paired with its yin partner the conception meridian. These meridians are considered two of the most important pathways in the body. While most extraordinary meridians don’t have related acupoints, these two meridians are the exceptions.1 2
There are 28 acupoints that make up the governing meridian. It begins at the lower abdomen (known as the lower Dantian), loops down through the perineum, and up toward the tailbone. From there it travels up through the spine toward the base of the skull. It then goes over the top of the head, before ending at the upper lip.3 4 5
Governing meridian function
The governing meridian connects with all other yang pathways in the body. It helps regulate the rise and fall of yang energy in the body to keep yin and yang in balance.
Also called the governing vessel, it acts as a reservoir for yang energy, storing it and transferring it to deficient areas when needed. In particular, it helps tonify the kidney meridian and works with the kidneys to nourish the brain and spinal cord.1 2
The governing meridian also directs “guardian qi,” which acts as a protective shield.1 When guardian qi is strong, it helps your immune system protect your body from harmful pathogens like viruses and bacteria.3
Guardian qi also represents the “Fire” of the body. The governing meridian directs guardian qi to help regulate your body temperature.1
Governing meridian issues
The governing vessel relates to survival, groundedness, and the ability to adapt to change.6 It helps to strengthen the body, clear the mind, and stabilize the spirit.
Since the governing meridian runs up the spine, it’s related to how supported we feel by life. Energetically, when this meridian is in balance it helps you stand tall, be “upright,” and feel confident in facing life’s challenges.
When the governing vessel becomes blocked or unbalanced, you may feel overburdened, be easily controlled, or have difficulty standing up for yourself.
Symptoms of governing meridian issues
The governing meridian flows through several organs and energetic pathways. For this reason, when it’s out of balance, it can present a wide range of symptoms.
Symptoms of governing meridian imbalance may include:
- Low back pain
- Stiff spine
- Hemorrhoids
- Rectal prolapse
- Urinary continence
- Irregular period
- Low sex drive
- Fatigue
- Weakness
- Tinnitus
- Low appetite
- Diarrhea
- Skin lesions
- Shortness of breath
- Heart palpitations5 6
If you are experiencing many signs of governing meridian imbalance, you may want to consult with an acupuncturist. They can assess you and identify any imbalances that need to be addressed.
How lifestyle impacts the governing meridian
Since the governing meridian connects with so many other energetic pathways, keeping this meridian balanced is crucial to your health and well-being. Fortunately, there are many lifestyle habits you can implement to support this energetic channel.
Here are a few ways to keep your governing meridian in balance:
- Get natural light exposure. Each time you get natural sunlight, it strengthens your circadian rhythm. This can help you adapt to the changing seasons, as well as changes in life.
- Go non-toxic. Your skin serves as your first line of defense, protecting you from harmful pathogens. Harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, or sodium lauryl sulfate can strip away your skin’s sebum, which helps protect your skin. This may, in turn, weaken Guardian Qi. So opt for gentle, natural skincare products. (Check out EWG’s Skin Deep database for recommendations)
- Practice grounding. Placing your bare feet on the earth is said to foster a sense of groundedness, which may support your governing meridian. Practicing ‘earthing’ is easy. You can walk barefoot outside, sit or stand with your bare feet on the earth, or even lie on the grass with some bare skin touching the ground.
- Try acupressure. Some say that applying pressure to acupoints can help promote the flow of energy. Since the governing channel runs along your back, applying pressure to acupoints can be tricky. For this reason, acupressure is usually focused on three points along the back of your head and neck. For a walk-through on these points, check out this article.
- Do tai chi or qigong. Any movements that stretch your spine are said to activate the points along the governing meridian. Many tai chi and qigong movements help stretch this area. To test it out, try this 10-minute qigong sequence for the spine.
- Move your body. Blockages in the governing meridian can cause back pain, which can create stiffness in the body. Gentle exercises and stretches that relieve tension along this pathway may help promote energy flow. Try this quick routine with exercises made just for the governing meridian.
- Set healthy boundaries. When the governing meridian is imbalanced, you may overextend yourself and have trouble saying no. Learning to set healthy boundaries can help you stand tall and stay true to yourself.
How diet impacts governing meridian health
As mentioned, the governing meridian works with the kidney meridian. For this reason, foods that benefit the kidneys may also support this energetic channel. These include berries, beans, seaweed, seafood, sesame seeds, buckwheat, black rice, and asparagus.7
Also, since the governing vessel relates to groundedness, eating certain foods may enhance this quality. Root vegetables in particular are said to be grounding since they grow deep within the earth. These include beets, carrots, parsnips, turnips, radishes, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and onions. According to Ayurveda, eating more of these foods may help you feel more grounded.
Supplements & herbs for governing meridian health
Many traditional Chinese herbs may help support the health of your governing meridian. These include:
- Lu Rong (Cervi cornu parvum or deer velvet)
- Qiang Huo (Radix et rhizoma notopterygii)
- Du Huo (Radix angelicae pubescentis)
- Jing Jie (Herba schizonepetae or Japanese catnip)
- Xi Xin (Herba asari or Wild Ginger)
- Gao Ben (Rhizoma ligustici or straw weed)
- Cang Er Zi (Fructus zanthii or cocklebur fruit)
- Huang Lian (Rhizoma coptidis)
- Fu Zi (Aconitum carmichaelii or Chinese aconite)5
Apart from these Chinese herbs, some essential oils are said to promote balance in the governing pathway. These include:
- Angelica
- Clove
- Cedarwood
- Cardamom
- Cypress
- Fennel
- Frankincense
- Lavender
- Rose
- Rosewood
- Sandalwood8
While these herbs and remedies may be beneficial, they affect everyone uniquely. For this reason, it’s a good idea to consult with a Chinese herbal practitioner before trying new supplements. They can recommend the best herbs for your body in the right dosage.
Governing Meridian stressor Virtual Item
A digital signature representing the governing meridian is automatically scanned in the Link app, as well as in the Balance 5.0 Biosurvey. It can also be scanned in the Select and Elite software. A scan will determine whether this Virtual Item is in range or if requires support to bring back into balance (out of range).
Governing Meridian balancer Virtual Items
After stressors are scanned in the ZYTO app or software, digital signatures representing various balancers are scanned. On the various ZYTO reports, we can then see which balancers brought the stressors back into range. If the governing meridian was out of range, you can see which specific balancer brought it back in the Products Report (Link app) or the Advanced Report (5.0 software).
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. “The Governing and Conception Vessels.” Lieske. Lieske.com.
2. “Extraordinary Meridian.” Elsevier B.V., its licensors, and contributors. Sciencedirect.com.
3. “Uncovering the 12 Meridians of Acupuncture.” Derek Kirkham. Acupuncturistseattle.com.
4. “Introducing the Governing Vessel.” Dotdash Merideth. Learnreligions.com.
5. “The Governing Vessel/Du Mai.” Acupuncture is My Life. Acupunctureismylife.com.
6. “The Eight Extraordinary Meridians: Our Genetic Imprinting.” Acupuncture Today. Acupuncturetoday.com.
7. “Foods That Benefit Each Body System.” Balanced Concepts. Balancedconcepts.net.
8. “#18 – TCM Headache – #0 Governing Vessel/Central Channel.” Butterfly Expressions. Butterflyexpressions.net.