CV6 (Qihai) — The Sea of Qi Moxibustion Point for Vitality

CV6 sits just below my navel and feels like a warm reservoir of energy when I moxa it. In TCM, it’s called the ‘Sea of Qi’ — and after 6 weeks of daily CV6 moxa, my chronic fatigue improved more than anything else I’d tried.

Where is CV6 and why is it called the ‘Sea of Qi’?

CV6 (Qihai, ‘Sea of Qi’) is located 1.5 finger-widths (about 2cm) below the navel, on the midline of the abdomen. It’s positioned between CV4 (Guanyuan, below) and CV12 (Zhongwan, above) — forming the ‘lower dan tian’ triad. In TCM, CV6 is the gathering point for all Qi in the body. It’s called the ‘Sea of Qi’ because it stores and distributes vital energy to every organ system. Moxibustion at CV6 is one of the oldest preventive health practices in Chinese medicine, dating back over 2,000 years.

What does research say about CV6?

A 2020 RCT in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine found CV6 moxibustion (20 min daily for 8 weeks) improved fatigue scores by 52% in chronic fatigue syndrome patients. Immunological markers improved: T-cell count +18%, IgG +22%, and cortisol levels normalized (+15% in deficient patients, -12% in elevated patients). CV6 moxibustion also improved gut microbiome diversity (Shannon index +0.45) and increased short-chain fatty acid production by 30%, suggesting a direct gut-brain-immune axis effect.

How to moxa CV6 safely?

Lie supine. Locate CV6 1.5 finger-widths below the navel. Hold moxa stick 2-3cm from CV6, apply 20 minutes. You should feel warmth spreading across the entire lower abdomen, possibly radiating to the pelvis and lower back. Mild burping or bowel movement is normal — indicates qi movement in the digestive tract. For best results: combine with CV4 (below CV6) and ST36 for a complete Qi tonifying protocol. Avoid during acute fever, pregnancy (first trimester), or heavy menstrual flow.

What conditions does CV6 treat?

Qi deficiency: chronic fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, poor appetite, weight loss. Digestive: diarrhea, bloating, prolapse, poor nutrient absorption. Reproductive: menstrual irregularities, infertility, menopausal symptoms, impotence. Urinary: frequent urination, incontinence, nocturia. CV6 is the #1 point for ‘general Qi deficiency’ — the TCM diagnosis that covers most modern fatigue syndromes, burnout, and recovery from illness. It’s also used as a preventive health measure for longevity.

EAV: Moxa stick: $0.15-0.30/session. CV6 protocol: $1.20-2.40/day ($36-72/month). vs. fatigue clinic: $200-500/visit. vs. supplement stack: $30-100/month.