Objective To summarize the regularity of application of Lianquan(CV 23)in clinical practice in Chinese ancient times through analysis of ancient traditional Chinese medical(TCM)literature.Methods A total of 60 books involving CV 23 from the 1 156 ancient TCM books listed in the fifth edition of Encyclopedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine were collected by using CV 23 as the main keyword and"Sheben""Benchi"

and"Jieben"(the other names of CV 23 in TCM)as the supplementary keywords and analyzed systematically.A database was then constructed from the collected data

including the related types of disorders or symptoms

acupoint recipes

and methods of needling and moxibustion

contraindications

etc.Results A total of196 articles related to the application of CV 23 from 60 ancient classical books were collected in accordance with the inclusive criteria.Among them

155 articles are referred to the indications of CV 23

35 to types of disorders such as asthma

cough

tongue swelling with difficulty in speaking

protracted tongue

acute contraction of tongue root

vomiting

spasm syndrome

stroke

aphtha

problems of mouth and teeth

throat problems

etc.of the internal medicine

surgery

pediatrics

and five-sense organs;64 items are referred to the application of single CV 23

91 to CV 23-included recipes containing 111 adjunct acupoints

and 78 to stimulation of CV 23 with acupuncture needle

moxibustion

pricking blood

and fire needle.Moreover

of the 111 adjunct acupoints

the most commonly used are Shaoshang(LU 11)

Tiantu(CV 22)

Hegu(LI 4)

Yuye(EX-HN 13)

Zhongchong(PC 9)

etc.Conclusion Lianquan(CV 23)is mainly used for glossopharyngeal problems chiefly by syndrome-meridian differentiation.The supplement of complementary acupoints or five-shu points in combination with CV 23 has a synergistic effect.Moxibustion(3 moxacones in general)is often employed

and the needling depth is usually about 7.5 mm.The common contraindication of CV 23 is severe tongue swelling.