• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.43-50
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• 2024

Objectives : Samanhyeol is a combination of acupoints located in the cubital and popliteal fossa. It is commonly used in clinical practice to treat acute illnesses such as summerheat stroke, vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhagic diseases. There are two types of Samanhyeol in literature: BL40 and LU5, and BL40 and PC3. We investigated which acupoint is representative of Samanhyeol, and more closely fits the definition of Samanhyeol between LU5 and PC3. Methods : We searched for literature related to Samanhyeol, compared the anatomical locations of LU5, PC3, and BL40, examined their indications associated with the effectiveness of Samanhyeol, and checked cases in the literature where LU5 or PC3 was used concurrently with BL40. Results : BL40, one of the Samanhyeol, has been used to treat summerheat stroke, vomiting, diarrhea, and epistaxis in acupuncture texts, and there are many references in the literature to BL40 being used for bloodletting. And BL40 is located in the midpoint of the traverse crease of the popliteal fossa. From this perspective, LU5 may be a more suitable than PC3 because it is located in the midpoint of the cubital crease. However, Samanhyeol is a combination of acupoints used to treat heat stroke, vomiting and diarrhea, and hemorrhagic diseases. Upon analyzing the literature, it was found that LU5 and PC3 have similar efficacy. However, PC3 was used more frequently in cases of severe fever, unconsciousness or syncope. Conclusions : Literature suggests that BL40 is the representative acupoint for Samanhyeol. And PC3 is more appropriate than LU5 for Samanhyeol because its effects are more stronger on heat stroke although both LU5 and PC3 can treat symptoms related to Samanhyeol.