The name of the acupoint, Supreme Unity (Tai Yi, ST23), might sound lofty—and it is. According to legend, it is named after the North Star, the fixed point around which all other stars appear to move. In ancient times, the North Star was considered the home of Tai Yi, a celestial deity often revered as the emperor of heaven.
The acupoint Tai Yi embodies a similar sense of grounding. Positioned at the very center of the abdomen, Tai Yi can assist you in finding balance. It is a powerful point that can promote both physical and mental health.
Dual Powerhouse
Tai Yi was first mentioned in “Zhen Jiu Jia Yi Jing” (“A-B Classic of Acupuncture and Moxibustion”), the earliest known text dedicated to acupuncture. While many stomach meridian points help move food along, Tai Yi takes it a step further. It resolves stagnation and also transforms what TCM calls “phlegm.” Unlike the literal mucus you might automatically think of, phlegm in TCM is a turbid energetic residue that clouds the mind and disturbs the spirit. It’s said to cause everything from mental fog to erratic emotions, forgetfulness, and even manic behavior. That makes Tai Yi a useful combination—a digestive regulator and mood stabilizer in one.
Practical Applications
Located on the Stomach meridian, Tai Yi is used to treat a range of digestive complaints, including indigestion, epigastric pain, bloating, and diarrhea. These are often signs that your body isn’t processing food well or that the energetic flow in the stomach is stuck.
Ancient practitioners aimed for harmony between the body and mind in addition to physical health. Because Tai Yi is known for its ability to transform or dissipate phlegm, it is often included in treatment plans for emotional unrest, such as irritability, anxiety, or racing thoughts. The point can help calm the mind and soothe the “Shen” or spirit, providing emotional clarity in times of chaos.
Modern Evidence Supports the Ancient Point
Contemporary research is mapping out how Tai Yi works. One study injected a neural tracer into Tai Yi and other Stomach meridian points in rats to understand how neurons interact. It was found that motor neurons associated with Tai Yi form a distinct network in the spinal cord and directly link to the body’s internal regulatory systems—specifically, the sympathetic nervous system, which governs organ function. The finding suggests Tai Yi’s stimulation can trigger systemic effects.
Another study treated 130 people with obesity using acupuncture and auricular therapy. Tai Yi was one of the main points used. After treatment, 93.8 percent of participants experienced marked improvement in weight, body fat, and digestive health. Those with more severe obesity saw the best outcomes. Tai Yi’s role? Helping regulate stomach qi and eliminate dampness—key concepts in TCM related to sluggish metabolism and internal heaviness.
How to Locate and Stimulate Tai Yi
To find Tai Yi, start at your navel and stack your thumbs two knuckles high, moving straight up toward your chest. From there, shift two thumb-knuckle widths to one side of the midline. Repeat on the other side, since Tai Yi is a bilateral acupoint. Press gently and feel around. If the spot is slightly sore or tender, it indicates that you’ve successfully located the acupoint.
Ways to Stimulate Tai Yi
- Firm pressure: Press firmly for three to five seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat for one to three minutes on each side.
- Circular massage: Massage in small circles with your index finger or thumb for one to three minutes on each side.
- Herbal patch: Apply an herbal patch overnight for longer activation.
- Advanced methods: Acupuncture, cupping, or moxibustion (a gentle heat therapy using dried mugwort) by a trained professional can deepen the therapeutic effects.
Precautions
If you have injuries near the abdomen, avoid using Tai Yi until you have fully recovered. If you’re trying herbal patches, refrain from using products with harsh synthetic chemicals—especially if your skin tends to react easily.
A Point That Cares for the Gut and Clears the Fog
You’ll need a trained TCM practitioner to give you a full diagnosis, but if you’ve been eating irregularly or living in a mental haze, Tai Yi is a potential place to start your targeted self-care routine. This point is free, accessible, and surprisingly powerful. When emotions appear overwhelming or your stomach won’t cooperate, give Tai Yi a try—and see what happens when you bring yourself and your wellness back into focus.
TCM expert Shihhsiang Hung reviewed this article for accuracy and clarity.
Originally published in Epoch Times on 15 July 2025
