[A glance at the property of acupoints--analysis on functions of acupoints in view of actions of Chinese materia medica].

The acupoint is one of the basic elements of the acupuncture prescription. Just as thinking over different properties of every Chinese materia medica in a prescription, we should also sufficiently consider the characteristics of each acupoint in a prescription of acupuncture or moxibustion. Chinese materia medica have their own action-tendencies of lifting, lowering, floating and sinking, properties of cold, hot, warm and cool, five flavors of sour, bitter, sweet, acrid and salty, target-meridian distribution, different toxicity and actions, etc. What are the properties of acupoints? The authors of the present paper summarize them by simulating the characters of Chinese materia medica. It is found that acupoints also have functions in regulating lifting, lowering, floating and sinking of Qi, inducing cold and heat effects, producing different needling sensations; and pertain to different meridians (meridian distribution). And acupoint stimulation may produce adverse effects under certain specific conditions, etc. Full understanding of the properties of acupoints is definitely helpful in improving clinical therapeutic effects and shortening therapeutic courses by reasonably selecting and combining related acupoints.