The acupoint is one of the basic elements of the acupuncture prescription. Just as thinking over different properties of every Chinese materia medica in a prescription

we should also sufficiently consider the characteristics of each acupoint in a prescription of acupuncture or moxibustion. Chinese materia medica have their own action-tendencies of lifting

lowering

floating and sinking

properties of cold

hot

warm and cool

five flavors of sour

bitter

sweet

acrid and salty

target-meridian distribution

different toxicity and actions

etc. What are the properties of acupoints? The authors of the present paper summarize them by simulating the characters of Chinese materia medica. It is found that acupoints also have functions in regulating lifting

lowering

floating and sinking of Qi

inducing cold and heat effects

producing different needling sensations; and pertain to different meridians (meridian distribution). And acupoint stimulation may produce adverse effects under certain specific conditions

etc. Full understanding of the properties of acupoints is definitely helpful in improving clinical therapeutic effects and shortening therapeutic courses by reasonably selecting and combining related acupoints.