Large Intestine 4: Letting Go with the Metal Element and Autumn Energy

Acupuncture point Large Intestine 4

As summer fades and the air turns crisp, nature invites us to pause. The trees release their leaves, daylight shortens, and everything begins to slow down. In Chinese Medicine, this time of year belongs to the Metal Element: the phase of clarity, refinement, and release.

Within the body, Metal governs the Lungs and Large Intestine, organs that teach us the art of balance: taking in what nourishes us and letting go of what does not. When these energies flow smoothly, we feel clear, calm, and strong. When they stagnate, we can feel heavy, congested, or emotionally burdened.

One of the best points to support this seasonal transition is Large Intestine 4 (LI 4), also known as Hégŭ (合谷)—the “Joining Valley.” Whether used in acupuncture or with ear seeds and gentle pressure, LI 4 helps the body and mind move with autumn’s rhythm of release.

Finding the “Joining Valley”

LI 4 sits on the hand, in the fleshy webbing between the thumb and index finger. When you press the thumb and finger together, a small mound forms. The highest spot of that mound is LI 4.

It is called the Joining Valley because energy gathers here before flowing through the rest of the body, much like water collecting in a valley before moving downstream. Stimulating this point encourages qi (vital energy) to flow freely and helps dissolve stagnation, whether that be physical or emotional.

The Large Intestine Meridian: The Wisdom of Release

The Large Intestine meridian runs from the index finger up the arm, across the shoulder, and ends beside the nose. Its paired organ, the Lung, begins deep in the chest and travels down to the thumb.

Together, they mirror autumn’s message:

• The Lungs draw in freshness: oxygen, inspiration, and clarity.

• The Large Intestine lets go, releasing waste, tension, or anything that no longer serves us.

When this system is balanced, we feel light, organized, and emotionally clear. When blocked, we may experience constipation, skin issues, or lingering sadness.

LI 4 helps restore this natural rhythm, gently reminding the body and spirit how to exhale and let go.

Why LI 4 Is So Well-Known

In Chinese Medicine, LI 4 is considered a Source Point, meaning it nourishes and regulates the entire Large Intestine meridian. It is often called the “command point” for the face and head, but its effects extend throughout the whole body.

Traditionally, LI 4 has been used to:

• Relieve tension and headaches

• Ease pain or stiffness anywhere in the body

• Support immune strength and the body’s protective “wei qi”

• Encourage healthy digestion and elimination

• Help release emotional holding, especially grief or frustration

On a deeper level, LI 4 is about finding freedom through release which is a perfect representation of the function of the Metal Element.

The Metal Element and Autumn: The Art of Refinement

Each of the Five Elements in Chinese Medicine corresponds to a season, emotion, and quality of movement.

Element	Season	Organs	Emotion	Movement
Metal	Autumn	Lungs & Large Intestine	Grief	Letting go / condensing

Metal represents structure, integrity, and inner value, like precious ore refined through pressure. In autumn, nature mirrors these qualities: it pares back to essentials, shedding what’s unnecessary to reveal what’s pure and enduring.

When our Metal energy is balanced, we feel clear, strong, and self-assured. We value ourselves and our boundaries. When out of balance, we may feel rigid, self-critical, or stuck in grief.

Using LI 4 can help smooth this transition and physically ease tension and emotionally support the gentle act of letting go.

Emotional Release and the Breath

Grief is the emotion linked with Metal, and it’s as natural as the falling leaves. The challenge comes when we hold onto it, afraid to feel or express it. Over time, that holding can tighten the chest, weaken the breath, or create digestive sluggishness.

LI 4 works beautifully with the breath. As you inhale, imagine drawing in fresh air and light through the Lungs; as you exhale, allow anything heavy or stale to leave with the breath. The Large Intestine’s energy follows, clearing what the body and heart no longer need.

Paired with ear seeds, LI 4 offers a subtle daily reminder to breathe, release, and return to centre.

How to Use Ear Sphere ear seeds on LI 4

Ear seeds are small, round pellets that gently stimulate acupuncture points through steady pressure. They’re safe, non-invasive, and can be applied at home with a bit of guidance.

While ear seeds are most commonly placed on points of the ear, they can also be used on hand points like LI 4 for self-care. Here’s how to work with this point:

1. Locate LI 4

• Rest your hand palm-down.

• Bring your thumb and index finger together to create a mound.

• The highest point of that mound, in the fleshy web between the fingers, is LI 4.

2. Apply the Ear Sphere ear seed

• Clean the area with an alcohol wipe.

• Gently place one of our Ear Spheres ear seeds over the point and press firmly.

• You may feel mild tenderness and that’s a good sign of activation.

3. Stimulate Gently

• Several times a day, press on the seed for 15–30 seconds while breathing slowly.

• Visualise tension melting away with each exhale.

You can keep the seed on for up to five days, then remove and let the skin rest.

Ear Sphere on Large Intestine 4 acupuncture point

⚠️ Note: LI 4 should not be used during pregnancy, as it can stimulate uterine contractions. Always check with a qualified practitioner if you’re pregnant or unsure.

Supporting the Metal Element This Season

Using LI 4 with Ear Spheres can be even more effective when paired with simple lifestyle choices that nourish the Metal Element:

• Breathe deeply. Gentle breathwork opens the Lungs and calms the mind.

• Moisturize and hydrate. Autumn dryness can irritate skin and lungs. Sip warm teas and eat juicy fruits or soups.

• Declutter. Let go of what no longer feels useful such as objects, habits, even self-doubt.

• Eat warm, seasonal foods. Think baked root vegetables, white mushrooms, pears, daikon, and warming spices like ginger.

• Honour emotions. Allow moments of sadness or reflection; they’re part of the season’s wisdom.

These small rituals keep your qi flowing and your spirit clear as the energy of autumn deepens.

The Deeper Meaning of LI 4

Large Intestine 4 teaches us that release is a form of renewal. Just as trees trust their leaves to fall, we too can trust that letting go creates space for something new.

When we stimulate LI 4, whether through acupuncture, acupressure, or ear seeds, we’re not only supporting physical balance; we’re aligning ourselves with nature’s rhythm. We are learning to hold and release, to breathe in and breathe out, to refine and renew.

So, as you move through this season, take a quiet moment each day. Touch the valley between your thumb and finger, breathe deeply, and feel your energy settle. Let the wisdom of the Metal Element guide you—clear, grounded, and ready for whatever comes next.