What are the effects and benefits of bloodletting at the ear tip?

Pricking the ear tip to release blood is a commonly used external treatment in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with therapeutic effects including clearing heat and purging fire, reducing swelling and relieving pain, cooling blood and detoxifying, calming the mind, and improving circulation. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Clearing Heat and Purging Fire: This method is suitable for symptoms caused by upward flare-up of liver fire, such as redness, swelling, and pain in the eyes, headache, and dizziness. Releasing blood from the ear tip directly expels internal heat pathogens, alleviating discomforts like eye redness, swelling, and throbbing headaches due to excessive heat.

2. Reducing Swelling and Relieving Pain: It is effective for localized swelling and pain conditions such as parotitis and sore throat. Bloodletting promotes local circulation of qi and blood, reduces congestion and edema at inflamed sites, and thus rapidly relieves swelling and pain.

3. Cooling Blood and Detoxifying: It can be used for early-stage sores or herpes zoster caused by accumulation of heat-toxin. By releasing blood, some of the heat-toxin pathogens are expelled, preventing their spread and helping to alleviate skin rashes, blisters, and associated pain.

4. Calming the Mind and Promoting Tranquility: It helps regulate insomnia, vivid dreams, irritability, and anger caused by liver fire disturbing the heart. Bloodletting quiets liver fire, harmonizes qi and blood, stabilizes emotions, and improves sleep quality.

5. Improving Circulation: Suitable for patients in the early stages of hypertension who experience dizziness. Stimulating the ear tip acupoint enhances blood circulation in the head and throughout the body, assists in regulating blood pressure, and relieves symptoms of dizziness and head fullness.

This procedure must be performed by qualified medical professionals who clearly understand its indications and contraindications. Strict sterile techniques must be followed to avoid infection or other risks associated with self-administration.