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
Slippery (Hua), Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
The tongue is typically red, reflecting internal Heat, and may appear somewhat swollen due to the accumulation of Dampness and Phlegm. The most characteristic feature is a thick, yellow, greasy coating, especially prominent in the centre of the tongue (corresponding to the Stomach and Spleen area). In some cases, the coating may appear curd-like if Phlegm accumulation is severe. The coating tends to be difficult to scrape off, reflecting the sticky, tenacious nature of Phlegm-Heat. The tongue surface beneath the coating may feel moist or slippery.
Herbal Formulas for Gastritis
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address gastritis
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Vomiting
- Disperses clumping and eliminates focal distention
- Harmonizes Cold and Heat
- Opens with acrid and descends with bitter
- Tonifies the Middle and Augments Qi
Chai Hu Gui Jiang Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the Shaoyang
- Warms Yang and Transforms Fluid Retention
- Disperses Cold
- Nourishes Yin and Generates Fluids
- Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness
Chai Hu Jia Long Gu Mu Li Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the Shaoyang
- Calms the Spirit and Settles Fright
- Clears Heat and Drains Fire
- Harmonizes the Three Yang Channels
- Promotes Urination and Drains Dampness
- Clears Interior Heat
Huang Lian Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Harmonizes Cold and Heat
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Vomiting
- Clears Upper Jiao Heat
- Warms the Interior and Dispels Cold
- Opens with acrid and descends with bitter
- Tonifies Qi and Strengthens the Spleen
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies the Middle and Augments Qi
- Relaxes Spasms and Relieves Urgency
- Tonifies Qi and Generates Blood
- Warms Yang and Disperses Cold
- Harmonizes the Nutritive and Defensive Qi
Ju Pi Zhu Ru Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Hiccup
- Clears Stomach Heat
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Tonifies Qi
- Stops Vomiting
San Ren Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Promotes Qi Movement in the San Jiao
- Transforms Dampness
- Promotes Urination and Drains Dampness
- Diffuses Lung Qi
Si Mo Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Moves Qi
- Descends Qi
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Broadens the Chest and Dissipates Nodules
- Supports the Upright and Dispels Pathogens
Si Ni San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
- Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint
- Transmits Yang and unblocks counterflow
Wei Ling Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness and strengthens the Spleen
- Promotes Urination and Drains Dampness
- Regulates Qi and Harmonizes the Middle Burner
- Warms Yang and Transforms Qi
- Transforms Water-Dampness
Wu Ji San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior and Warms the Interior
- Dispels Cold-Dampness
- Regulates Qi and Transforms Phlegm
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Promotes Digestion and Resolves Food Stagnation
Zuo Jin Wan
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Fire
- Directs Rebellious Qi Downward and Stops Vomiting
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Drains Dampness
- Disperses Accumulations and Dissipates Nodules
Ma Zi Ren Wan
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Moistens the Intestines and Unblocks the Bowels
- Drains Heat from the Stomach and Intestines
- Descends Qi
- Nourishes Yin and Moistens the Intestines
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi and Strengthens the Spleen
- Raises sunken Yang
- Clears Heat and Drains Dampness
- Dispels Wind-Dampness
- Regulates the Qi Dynamic
- Protects the Stomach
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior and Disperses Wind-Cold
- Warms the Lungs and Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Descends Lung Qi and Calms Wheezing
- Resolves Phlegm-Fluid Retention
- Restores Lung Diffusing and Descending Functions
Bao He Wan
Traditional formula for 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 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 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Tonifies Qi
- Descends Qi
- Disperses Cold
- Alleviates Pain
- Stops Vomiting
Dan Shen Yin
Traditional formula for 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Dries Dampness
- Resolves Phlegm
Ping Wei San
Traditional formula for 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 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 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Promotes transportation and transformation
Wan Dai Tang
Traditional formula for 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Descends Qi
- Resolves Phlegm
- Tonifies Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Eliminates Focal Distention
Yi Guan Jian
Traditional formula for 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Protects the Stomach
- Generates Fluids
- Moistens Dryness
- Clears deficiency Heat from the Stomach
Yue Ju Wan
Traditional formula for 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 gastritis
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin and Blood
- Tonifies Qi
- Warms and Unblocks Yang
- Restores the pulse
- Calms palpitations
- Moistens Dryness
Huang Tu Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Nourishes Blood and stops bleeding
- Restores the Spleen's Governance of Blood
- Stops Bleeding
Zhi Zi Chi Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat from the Chest and Diaphragm
- Disperses Depressed Heat
- Eliminates Irritability
- Calms the Spirit
- Unblocks Qi Stagnation in the Upper Jiao
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Transforms Phlegm
- Broadens the Chest and Dissipates Nodules
- Descends Qi and Resolves Binding
- Eliminates Focal Distention
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Clears Liver and Gallbladder Heat
- Harmonizes the Shaoyang
- Clears Damp-Heat
- Harmonizes the Stomach
- Resolves Phlegm
- Moves Qi
Gua Di San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Induces Vomiting to Expel Phlegm
- Expels pathogenic factors from the chest
- Unblocks Qi Stagnation in the Upper Jiao
Shi Hui San
Traditional formula for gastritis
Main Actions
- Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding
- Clears Heat and Drains Fire
- Drains Fire
- Dispels Stasis to Promote Healing