Cold invading the Stomach
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The concept of Cold The Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Key attributes
Chinese name: 胃寒恶阻 Pinyin name: Wèi Hán È Zǔ
Pattern nature: Full
Causes
Common causes: 1. Invasion of Exterior Cold, 2. Diet
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Nausea Cold limbs Feeling of cold Severe epigastric pain Vomiting of clear fluids and two other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Tight (Jin)
Tongue description: Thick white coating
Treatment
Treatment principle: Expel Cold
Common formulas: Liang Fu Wan Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Pathology
Pathogenic Cold blocks the Stomach and prevents Stomach-Qi from descending, hence the vomiting and the pain.
Cold impairs the Yang of the Stomach and Spleen and prevents the food essences from reaching the body, hence the feeling of cold, the Slow pulse, the preference for warm liquids and aggravation from cold liquids.
As Cold injures Yang, if this situation persists, the Stomach will suffer from Empty-Cold and Yang Deficiency. Therefore the present pattern of Cold invading the Stomach may lead to the pattern of "Stomach Deficient and Cold".
Causes
Invasion of Exterior Cold: The Stomach is one of three Organs which can be directly invaded by Cold Pathogenic Factor (along with the Large Intestine and the Uterus). It is an acute condition caused by exposure to cold from improper dressing.
Diet: Excessive consumption of cold foods and iced drinks can cause this pattern.
Diagnosing Cold invading the Stomach
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or tight (Jin)
Tongue description: Thick white coating
Main symptoms: Nausea Cold limbs Feeling of cold Severe epigastric pain Vomiting of clear fluids Preference for warm drinks and foods Feeling worse after drinking cold drinks
Diagnosis commentary: The key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the sudden pain in epigastrium, the vomiting, feeling cold and the Deep-Tight Pulse.
Treating Cold invading the Stomach
Treatment principle
Expel Cold
Herbal formulas used to treat Cold invading the Stomach
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Releases the Exterior. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Formula summary
Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San is a 11-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that transform Dampness and harmonize Stomach.
Besides Cold invading the Stomach, Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San is also used to treat Rebellious Stomach Qi or Damp-Heat.
Liang Fu Wan
Source date: 1842 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Dispels Cold. Promotes the movement of Qi. Alleviates Pain.
Formula summary
Liang Fu Wan is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1842 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Cold invading the Stomach, Liang Fu Wan is also used to treat Large Intestine Cold or Cold invading the Large Intestine.
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Liver and Stomach. Directs Rebellious Qi downward. Stops vomiting.
Formula summary
Wu Zhu Yu Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold.
Besides Cold invading the Stomach, Wu Zhu Yu Tang is also used to treat Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold.
Consequence patterns
If left untreated Cold invading the Stomach can lead to Stomach Blood Stagnation
When Pathogenic Cold invades the Stomach it injures the Yang. if this situation persists, the Stomach will suffer from Empty-Cold and Yang deficiency, i.e. "Stomach Deficient and Cold".