College of Natural Health Sciences

College of Natural Health Sciences

 

AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Posterior Janu - Leg Marma Point (bl-40 Weizhong)

A grounding, cooling, lower belly relaxing marma located at the midpoint of the crease behind the knee.

How Does This Ayurvedic Treatment Improve Wellness?

CONSTITUTIONAL NUTRITION INSIGHTS

Janu Marma are two important energy points (marmani) located at the front (anterior) and back (posterior) of the knee joint.
  • Anterior Janu: At the center of the patella.
  • Posterior Janu: Located at the midpoint of the popliteal crease behind the knee.
The posterior Janu marma corresponds to BL-40 in TCM and encourages the tailbone to drop down, the lower belly and calves to relax, and shifts weight from the thumb toe to the heel. Altogether, this helps relax the body, which is why BL-40 is known for clearing heat and tension from the lower extremities.

As it relaxes tension in the lower belly, Posterior Janu relaxes the bladder and reduces bedwetting. The calming, grounding effect is also used in both vomiting (calms udana vayu) and spastic type diarrhea (stabilizes apana cayu) in TCM.

Anterior Janu Marma

Anterior Janu (on the front side of the knee) encourages stamina, focus, and resolve (invigorating the blood), but less so than points located in the soft tissue beneath the patella. It is a stimulating point, but its location on the lower extremity ensures this stimulation is grounding (unlike the corresponding point on the arms - colloquially known as the funny bone).

The knees are prone to Vata imbalance, experienced as an unnerving lack of steadiness, balance or solidity while walking. Vata dryness and coldness can also attack the knees, causing dryness, pain and arthritis.

Supporting the Knees

The knees are also vulnerable to gravitational stress from excess weight. The lower extremities are also prone to either swelling and edema (a Kapha condition).

By improving circulation, stimulating Janu Marma helps in all these conditions. Taking time to nurture Janu marma thus supports not only joint health but also encourages strength, flexibility, and steady movement, leading to greater ease and confidence.

Generally, marma points encourage smooth movement of nearby joints and healthy circulation distally to the point.Caring for Janu Marma can relieve issues like poor circulation, arthritis of the knee, nerve pain or neuropathy, and swelling (edema) in the lower extremities.

Using gentle massage with warm, nourishing oils—such as Mahanarayan or Bala Tailam—can reduce stiffness, soothe inflammation, and improve fluid flow.
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Medicinal Effects of Posterior Janu - Leg Marma Point (BL-40 Weizhong)

Constitutional nutrition systems use biocharacteristics to classify the metabolic nature of food, hebs, lifestyle choices, your body, and disease.

METABOLIC NATURE / BIOCHARACTERISTICS

Metabolic Nature / Biocharacteristics

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (vital qualtiies). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.

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COLD

ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow.

LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD

AYURVEDA BODY TYPES (DOSHAS)

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.

Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.

Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.

Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.

The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).

Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.

Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.

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PACIFIES
Kapha pacifying Pitta pacifying Vata pacifying

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.

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PACIFIES
CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A Phlegmatic has a cold and wet metabolic nature. The coldness implies a slow metabolism, the moisture that you are well-nourished. Phlegmatics tend towards sluggishness and thickened fluids, including mucus.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

A hot and oily nature with a moderate metabolism and a well nourished body makes Sanguine individuals vigorous, vivacious, outgoing and generous, and prone to impulsivity and self indulgence. Bullish and intense when out of balance.

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Other Health Virtues

Downward

DOWNWARD

Downward-moving (Adho Gati Marga) substances move food downward in the GI tract, settle the nervous system, and relax muscles.

SEE ALL 'DOWNWARD' FOODS / HERBS

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Posterior Janu - Leg Marma Point (BL-40 Weizhong)
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

(see all)
Carminative

CARMINATIVE

Stimulates the release of gas. Helpful for bloating or cramping abdominal pain. Propels food downward. Carminatives typically expel gas by relaxing the muscles of the intestines.

SEE ALL 'CARMINATIVE' FOODS / HERBS

Anxiolytic

ANXIOLYTIC

Herbs that help people suffering from anxiety or panic. They promote a state of calm and often improve sleep. Most anxiolytic herbs are also nervines.

SEE ALL 'ANXIOLYTIC' FOODS / HERBS

Relieves Tension

RELIEVES-TENSION

An herb that releases tightness, constriction, and rigidity in a muscle.

SEE ALL 'RELIEVES-TENSION' FOODS / HERBS

,
Antispasmodic

ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Posterior Janu - Leg Marma Point (BL-40 Weizhong)

  • Poppy Seed

    Poppy Seed has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic

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  • Chamomile

    Chamomile has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative

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  • Nutmeg

    Nutmeg has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Carminative, Antispasmodic

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  • Mint

    Mint has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative

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  • Cloves

    Cloves has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic

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  • Basil

    Basil has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic

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  • Mustard Seed

    Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic

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  • Mustard Powder

    Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

    Carminative, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic

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  • Mustard

    Mustard has these Actions in Common

    Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic, Carminative

    LEARN MORE

  • Chocolate (Cacao)

    Chocolate (Cacao) has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Anise

    Anise has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Carminative

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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Posterior Janu - Leg Marma Point (BL-40 Weizhong)

  • Cramp Bark

    Cramp Bark has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative, Relieves-tension

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  • KapiKacchu

    KapiKacchu has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Yogaraj Guggulu

    Yogaraj Guggulu has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Carminative, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE

  • Lateral Charana (Knee) - Leg Marma Point (Zanglingquan GB-34 in TCM)

    Lateral Charana (Knee) - Leg Marma Point (Zanglingquan GB-34 in TCM) has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Carminative

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  • California Poppy

    California Poppy has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Hot Bath

    Hot Bath has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Sit in the Sauna

    Sit in the Sauna has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy

    Encourage a Sweat / Sweat Therapy has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Dashamoola Powder

    Dashamoola Powder has these Actions in Common

    Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Relieves-tension

    LEARN MORE

  • Kava Kava

    Kava Kava has these Actions in Common

    Anxiolytic, Relieves-tension, Antispasmodic

    LEARN MORE


Joyful Belly is a recognized college of biocharacteristics medicine.

Guidelines - When & How Much

Palpate the midpoint of the popliteal crease behind the knee with your middle finger for 3 to 5 minutes.

See contraindications below.

TRADITIONALLY INDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Posterior Janu - Leg Marma Point (BL-40 Weizhong) may temper these symptoms. The suitability of any herb supplement for a condition is highly dependent on the individual. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

CONTRAINDICATED FOR
THESE SYMPTOMS

Posterior Janu - Leg Marma Point (BL-40 Weizhong) may be harmful or contraindicated for these symptoms. Note this is not a complete list of all possible contraindications. Please see your doctor before using this herb supplement to treat a medical condition.

Knee Injuries or Joint Disorders: If a person has a history of knee injuries, such as ligament tears, meniscus issues, fractures, or arthritis, palpating or applying pressure to Janu Marma can worsen the condition or cause further inflammation, pain, and discomfort.

Pregnancy: Certain Marma points, including Janu Marma, are considered sensitive during pregnancy. Stimulating this area could potentially lead to discomfort or complications, so it is generally avoided during pregnancy unless under the guidance of a qualified practitioner.

Acute Inflammation or Swelling: In cases of acute knee inflammation, swelling, or infection (e.g., bursitis, tendonitis), palpating Janu Marma could aggravate the inflammation and cause more pain or discomfort. It is important to avoid applying pressure to an inflamed or swollen area.

Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): If a person has Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), which is the formation of blood clots in the veins, especially in the legs, palpating Janu Marma may increase the risk of dislodging the clot, leading to serious complications such as a stroke or pulmonary embolism.

Nerve Issues or Neurological Disorders: Palpating this area should be avoided if a person has nerve-related issues or disorders like sciatica, peripheral neuropathy, or any condition that affects nerve function in the leg, as pressure could exacerbate symptoms like numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Varicose Veins: For individuals with varicose veins around the knee, palpating Janu Marma could worsen the condition by increasing pressure in the veins, potentially causing more discomfort or exacerbating the appearance of varicose veins.

Severe Pain or Sensitivity: If a person is experiencing severe pain or extreme sensitivity in the knee, applying pressure to the Janu Marma could trigger more pain and discomfort, and should be avoided until the pain or sensitivity subsides.

Post-Surgery: After knee surgery (e.g., knee replacement, ligament repair, or meniscus surgery), palpating Janu Marma could disrupt the healing process, cause pain, or lead to complications in the surgical site.

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