Summer Acupressure Point : Heart 8

The season of summer is associated with the element of fire, and the element of fire is connected to the Heart. In Chinese Medicine, the Heart is emotionally associated with the Mind + Spirit (also known as Shen). Heart 8, located just below the heart line of the palm at the base of the pinky, is an excellent summer point because it is used for Heart heat.

Heart heat often shows up as:

• Mental restlessness

• High anxiety

• Agitation

• Feeling manic

• Nightmares or vivid dreams

• Insomnia

Combined with symptoms like:

• Palpitations

• Feeling overheated or aversion to the heat

• Chest pain

• Thirst

Heart 8 balances the excess heat of summer - and all of its associated symptoms of overheat - with its cooling and clearing properties to help you to feel more grounded, relaxed, and easy-going. One of the amazing things about this point is that it is very, very fast acting. You will likely feel the effects of it almost immediately after a needle is inserted here, or pressure is applied. 

You can easily apply pressure at this point when you’re having any of the acute symptoms of Heart heat listed above. Heart 8 is on the palm of the hand and can be found where the tip of the pinkie finger lands when a loose fist is made. The point typically lies between the two palmar creases. You can use your thumbnail to dig into this point and massage it on one or both palms.