Ermen TE21 : Nomenclature, Location, Function, Indication

Nomenclature:

Er: Ear Men: Door
Ermen is in front of the ear, like a door of the ear.

Point: TE21
Chinese Name: 耳门
Name: Ermen
English Name/Meaning: Ear Gate
Pinyin: ěr mén
Han Geul 한글: i mun 이문
Romaji: ji mon(?)
Vietnamese: Nhĩ môn

Location:

In front of the supratragic notch, in the depression of the posterior border of the condylar process of the mandible when the mouth is open.

Functions:

• Opens ear (benefits hearing).
• Disperse heat (otorrhea).

Indication:

• Ermen is good point for ear disorders like tinnitus, deafness and TMJ (temperomandibular joint) problems.
• Also for toothache, stiffness in lip.

Method:

Puncture perpendicularly 0.5-1.0 cun with the mouth open.

Precautions:

Many classical sources prohibit moxibustion at this point in cases of discharge of pus from the ear.