Chronic Gastritis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different chronic gastritis patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Chronic gastritis, a prolonged inflammation of the stomach lining, unfolds stealthily over time, often with less pronounced symptoms than its acute counterpart. This condition can manifest as a dull or gnawing pain, bloating, and an uncomfortable feeling of fullness after eating. While factors such as long-term use of NSAIDs, infection with Helicobacter pylori, and autoimmune disorders commonly underlie this condition, its persistence can lead to a gradual deterioration of the stomach lining. Identifying and addressing the root cause of chronic gastritis is crucial to prevent potential complications, including ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches chronic gastritis through the lens of disharmony within the body's energetic system. Unlike Western medicine, which often focuses on symptom management and the elimination of causative agents, TCM seeks to identify and rectify the underlying imbalance—whether it be Qi stagnation, Damp-Phlegm accumulation, or Yin Deficiency.
This holistic perspective not only aims to alleviate the symptoms associated with gastritis but also to restore the body's natural state of balance and health, emphasizing diet, lifestyle, and emotional well-being as integral components of treatment.
TCM Patterns for Chronic Gastritis
Phlegm
Thick, sticky pathological fluid that obstructs body functions and can manifest anywhere in the body
Causes: Nausea, Vomiting, Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, Focal distention, Coughing of copious thin and white sputum, Palpitations, Dizziness, Coughing with copious white sputum, Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Shortness of breath, HypochondriaI distension
Phlegm is both a pathological product and a pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It results from impaired fluid metabolism when the body's transformative functions fail, particularly affecting the Spleen, Lungs, and Kidneys. Classical texts emphasize that "the Spleen is the source of phlegm production, while the Lungs are the storage vessel for phlegm."
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Nausea, Vomiting, Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, Focal distention, Coughing of copious thin and white sputum
Damp-Cold Phlegm
Nausea, Vomiting, Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, Palpitations, Dizziness, Focal distention, Coughing with copious white sputum
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Shortness of breath, HypochondriaI distension
Blood Deficiency
Insufficient blood to nourish the body, causing paleness, dizziness, and dryness throughout the system
Causes: Chest fullness, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor appetite, Irregular menstruation, Leukorrhea, Breast distention, Vertigo, Alternating fever and chills
Blood Deficiency represents a fundamental lack of blood volume or quality in the body, resulting in organs, tissues, and the mind being undernourished. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, blood not only refers to the red fluid in our vessels but encompasses the body's entire nourishing and moistening functions.
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
Chest fullness, Chest pain, Anemia, Dizziness, Headaches, Dry mouth, Dry throat, Poor appetite, Irregular menstruation, Leukorrhea, Breast distention, Vertigo, Alternating fever and chills
Qi Stagnation
Blocked or disrupted flow of vital energy causing distending pain, emotional distress, and symptoms that worsen with stress
Causes: Nausea or vomiting, Dizziness or vertigo, Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams, Palpitations, Anxiety, Indeterminate gnawing hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum, Coughing, Hypochondrium fullness, Dizziness, Headaches, Depression, Listlessness, Moving pain, Intermittent epigastric pain, Hernial pain, Painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks, Irritability, Feeling of distension, Moving distending pain, Mood swings, Frequent sighing, HypochondriaI distension, Chest distension, Epigastrium distension, Abdomen distension, Sighing, Melancholy, Moodiness, Irregular menstruation, Feeling of lump in the throat, Premenstrual breast distension, Premenstrual tension, Anger, Melasma
Qi Stagnation is a fundamental pathological pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the smooth flow of vital energy becomes obstructed, creating areas of pressure, pain, and dysfunction throughout the body.
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Nausea or vomiting, Dizziness or vertigo, Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams, Palpitations, Anxiety, Indeterminate gnawing hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum
Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation
Coughing, Hypochondrium fullness, Dizziness, Headaches, Depression, Listlessness, Moving pain
Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat
Intermittent epigastric pain, Hernial pain, Painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks, Irritability, Bitter taste in the mouth
Qi Stagnation
Feeling of distension, Moving distending pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Frequent sighing
Liver Qi Stagnation
HypochondriaI distension, Chest distension, Epigastrium distension, Abdomen distension, Sighing, Melancholy, Depression, Moodiness, Mood swings, Irregular menstruation, Feeling of lump in the throat, Premenstrual breast distension, Premenstrual tension, Anxiety, Anger, Melasma
Qi Deficiency
Insufficient vital energy causing fatigue, weakness, poor digestion, and reduced function of organs and protective systems
Causes: Unremitting belching, Hiccuping, Regurgitation, Nausea or vomiting, Hard epigastric focal distention, Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurred vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath, Weak voice, Pale complexion, Poor appetite, Loose stools, Belching, Abdominal distension, Lower abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Feeling of fullness, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Lassitude, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Gas, Bloating, Poor digestion, Swollen complexion, Obesity, Overweight
Qi Deficiency is a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's vital energy is insufficient to maintain normal physiological functions, leading to weakness, fatigue, and various organ dysfunctions.
Stomach Qi Deficiency with Phelgm
Unremitting belching, Hiccuping, Regurgitation, Nausea or vomiting, Hard epigastric focal distention
Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Dizziness, Unsteadiness, Blurred vision, Deafness, Tinnitus, Shortness of breath, Weak voice, Pale complexion, Poor appetite, Loose stools, Belching, Abdominal distension, Lower abdominal pain, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Feeling of fullness
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Slight abdominal distension after eating, Lassitude, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Gas, Bloating, Poor digestion, Swollen complexion, Obesity, Overweight
Yin Deficiency
Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body
Causes: No desire to eat, Desire to drink in small sips, Slight feeling of fullness after eating
Yin Deficiency represents a fundamental pattern in Traditional Chinese Medicine where the body's yin fluids - blood, essence, and body fluids - become depleted, losing their ability to cool, moisten, and anchor the yang energy, resulting in relative hyperactivity of yang and internal heat manifestations.
Stomach Yin Deficiency
No desire to eat, Desire to drink in small sips, Slight feeling of fullness after eating
Herbal Formulas for Chronic Gastritis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address chronic gastritis
Bao He Wan
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Reduces food stagnation
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the Lessor Yang and Greater Yang Stage
- Releases the Exterior and muscle layer
- Harmonizes the Liver, Spleen and Intestines
- Dispels Water Accumulation
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Da Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Relieves pain
Dan Shen Yin
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Er Chen Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen)
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Strengthens the Stomach
Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Augments the Qi
- Eliminates focal distention
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Jin Ling Zi San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Moves Liver Blood and Liver Qi
- Drains Liver Heat or Fire
- Stops pain
Liang Fu Wan
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Dispels Cold
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Alleviates Pain
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Ping Wei San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Improves the Spleen's transportive function
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Si Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Wan Dai Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Middle Burner
- Removes Dampness
- Stops vaginal discharge
- Strengthens the Spleen
Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Liver and Stomach
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops vomiting
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Removes Dampness
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates pain
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach,
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer)
- Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions
- Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Moderately purges Heat accumulation
- Circulates Qi in the Middle
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Xiao Yao San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi
- Expectorant, treats hiccups
Yi Guan Jian
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Yi Wei Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Strengthen the Stomach
- Creates Body Fluids
Yue Ju Wan
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Restores the pulse