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.
Moreen Liao
R.Ph. of TCM (Taiwan)
Moreen was born into a family with a lineage of four generations of traditional Chinese medicine doctors and professors.
She was Dean of the Natural Therapies Institute in Sydney, Australia.
Drawing on her family heritage, she created a certified organic wellness brand, and co-founded the largest Chinese medical image encyclopedia online.
