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
- Promotes Digestion and Resolves Food Stagnation
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Moves Qi
- Transforms Dampness
- Clears Heat from food stagnation
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the Shaoyang
- Harmonizes the Nutritive and Defensive Qi
- Releases the Exterior and Warms the Interior
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Spleen and Stomach
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint
- Moves Qi and Alleviates Pain
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
Da Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Tonifies Qi
- Descends Qi
- Disperses Cold
- Alleviates Pain
- Stops Vomiting
Dan Shen Yin
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates Pain
- Regulates Qi and Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Nourishes Blood and Softens the Liver
- Strengthens the Spleen and Resolves Dampness
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Promotes Urination
- Relieves Abdominal Pain
- Calms the Fetus
Er Chen Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness and Transforms Phlegm
- Regulates Qi and Harmonizes the Middle Burner
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Vomiting
- Strengthens the Spleen and Resolves Dampness
- Disperses stagnation in the chest and diaphragm
Gan Cao Gan Jiang Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner and Restores Yang
- Warms the Lungs and Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Tonifies Spleen Qi
- Disperses Cold
Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Interior and Dispels Cold
- Releases the Exterior
- Tonifies Spleen Qi
- Stops Diarrhea
- Eliminates Focal Distention
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Transforms Phlegm
- Clears Liver and Gallbladder Heat
- Harmonizes the Stomach and Stops Vomiting
- Regulates Qi and resolves turbidity
- Calms the Spirit and Relieves Restlessness
Jin Ling Zi San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Courses the Liver and Drains Heat
- Moves Qi and Alleviates Pain
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
Liang Fu Wan
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Interior and Dispels Cold
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Alleviates Pain
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms Yang and Transforms Fluid Retention
- Strengthens the Spleen and Resolves Dampness
- Subdues Rushing Qi (Ben Tun)
- Resolves Phlegm-Fluid Retention
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Dries Dampness
- Resolves Phlegm
Ping Wei San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Moves Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Eliminates Focal Distention and Fullness
- Transforms Dampness and Resolves Turbidity
Sha Shen Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Nourishes Lung and Stomach Yin
- Generates Fluids
- Moistens Dryness
- Clears Residual Heat from the Lungs
- Stops Cough
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops Diarrhea
- Tonifies Lung Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Si Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Promotes transportation and transformation
Wan Dai Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Astringes to Stop Vaginal Discharge
- Raises Clear Yang
- Moves Qi
Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Regulates Qi and Transforms Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder and Stomach Heat
- Dries Dampness
- Stops vomiting and eliminates irritability
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner and tonifies deficiency
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Vomiting
- Warms the Liver Channel and Dispels Cold
- Warms the Interior and Dispels Cold
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Strengthens the Spleen
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Moves Qi and Resolves Stagnation
- Dries Dampness and Transforms Phlegm
- Warms the Middle Burner
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the Shaoyang
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Vomiting
- Supports the Upright and Dispels Pathogens
Xiao Cheng Qi Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Mildly Purges Heat Accumulation
- Promotes Bowel Movement
- Moves Qi and Relieves Distension
- Eliminates distention and disperses clumping
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Relaxes Spasms and Relieves Urgency
- Harmonizes Yin and Yang
- Nourishes the Spleen and Stomach
- Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
- Tonifies Qi and Generates Blood
Xiao Yao San
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint
- Nourishes Blood and Softens the Liver
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Middle
- Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
- Regulates menstruation
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Descends Qi
- Resolves Phlegm
- Tonifies Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Eliminates Focal Distention
Yi Guan Jian
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Nourishes Liver and Kidney Yin
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Nourishes Blood and Softens the Liver
- Generates Fluids
- Courses the Liver and Drains Heat
Yi Wei Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Protects the Stomach
- Generates Fluids
- Moistens Dryness
- Clears deficiency Heat from the Stomach
Yue Ju Wan
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Moves Qi and Resolves Stagnation
- Resolves the Six Stagnations (Liu Yu)
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Clears Heat and Drains Fire
- Dries Dampness and strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Digestion and Resolves Food Stagnation
Zhi Gan Cao Tang
Traditional formula for chronic gastritis
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and Blood
- Tonifies Qi
- Warms and Unblocks Yang
- Restores the pulse
- Calms palpitations
- Moistens Dryness