Gastritis in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different gastritis patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Gastritis represents a group of conditions characterized by inflammation of the stomach lining, often leading to discomfort, indigestion, and, in severe cases, bleeding. This umbrella term encompasses various forms, including acute and chronic gastritis, each with its unique causes and symptoms. The condition can manifest from infections, prolonged use of NSAIDs, alcohol consumption, or autoimmune disorders, making it a common yet complex ailment requiring precise diagnosis and management.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches gastritis through a holistic lens, focusing on restoring balance and harmony within the body’s systems. Unlike Western medicine, which often targets the symptoms, TCM seeks to understand the root cause of gastritis based on disharmony patterns such as Qi Stagnation, Phlegm-Heat, or Yang Deficiency. This deep understanding of the body's energetic balance is crucial for tailoring treatment plans that not only alleviate symptoms but also promote long-term health and well-being.
TCM Patterns for Gastritis
Each pattern represents a distinct underlying imbalance that can cause gastritis
Diagnostic signs
Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Recommended herbal formulas
Herbal Formulas for Gastritis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address gastritis
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Reverses the flow of Rebellious Stomach Qi
- Relieves both Heat and Cold Stagnation in the gastrointestinal tract
Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Removes Stagnation
- Warms the Interior
- Dispels Cold
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Unblocks the three Yang warps
- Sedates and calms the Spirit
Huang Lian Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Regulates Cold and Heat
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Stops hiccup
- Augments Qi
- Clears heat
San Ren Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Disseminates the Qi
- Facilitates the Qi mechanisms
Si Mo Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Expands the chest and dissipates clumping
Si Ni San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Regulates Liver and Spleen
- Eliminates Internal Heat
Wei Ling Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Promotes urination
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Wu Ji San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Smoothes the flow of Qi
- Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates the Blood
- Reduces Stagnation
Zuo Jin Wan
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Heat
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops vomiting
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Moistens the Intestines
- Invigorates Qi
- Unblocks the bowels
- Drains Heat
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Augments the Qi
- Raises the Yang
- Releases Dampness
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Warms the Lungs
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Bao He Wan
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Reduces food stagnation
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Traditional formula for 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Da Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Relieves pain
Dan Shen Yin
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Er Chen Tang
Traditional formula for 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Strengthens the Stomach
Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Augments the Qi
- Eliminates focal distention
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Jin Ling Zi San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Moves Liver Blood and Liver Qi
- Drains Liver Heat or Fire
- Stops pain
Liang Fu Wan
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Dispels Cold
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Alleviates Pain
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Ping Wei San
Traditional formula for 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears and nourishes the Lungs and Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids and moistens Dryness
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Drains Dampness
- Stops diarrhea
Si Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Wan Dai Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Middle Burner
- Removes Dampness
- Stops vaginal discharge
- Strengthens the Spleen
Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for 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 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 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Moderately purges Heat accumulation
- Circulates Qi in the Middle
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Xiao Yao San
Traditional formula for 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi
- Expectorant, treats hiccups
Yi Guan Jian
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Yi Wei Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Strengthen the Stomach
- Creates Body Fluids
Yue Ju Wan
Traditional formula for 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Augments the Qi
- Nourishes Yin
- Nourishes the Blood
- Restores the pulse
Huang Tu Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Nourishes the Blood
- Stops bleeding
Zhi Zi Chi Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Alleviates restlessness and irritability
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Expands the chest
- Dissipates clumps
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and relieves acute conditions of the Gallbladder
- Relieves acute Damp-Heat syndromes
- Resolves Phlegm
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Gua Di San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Discharges Phlegm or food stagnation through vomiting
Shi Hui San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Cools the Blood and
- Stops bleeding
- Clears Heat and drains Fire