Peptic Ulcer in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different peptic ulcer patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

Gastrointestinal Ulcers

Condition Categories

Gastrointestinal Ulcers

TCM Patterns

Formulas

Overview

What causes it 5 TCM patterns documented

How to recognize Symptoms specific to each peptic ulcer pattern

Classical remedies 42 herbal formulas documented

Related conditions

From the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Peptic Ulcers are seen as a manifestation of imbalance within the body's internal systems. TCM identifies various patterns of disharmony leading to ulcers, such as Qi Stagnation, Blood Stasis, or the invasion of pathogenic factors like Heat or Cold. This holistic approach emphasizes the need to identify and address the specific underlying pattern of disharmony, moving beyond mere symptom treatment to foster a return to the body's natural state of balance and health.

TCM Patterns for Peptic Ulcer

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, Epigastric focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaves or vomiting, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Poor appetite, Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Shortness of breath, HypochondriaI distension, Coughing, Asthma, Oedema, Feeling of oppression of the chest, Profuse white sputum, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Phlegm in throat, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum

6 variations documented

Onset Gradual

Location Local or systemic

Features Nodules/lumps • Heavy sensation • Mucus/expectoration • Mental confusion (if affecting mind)

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

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Nausea, Vomiting, Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, Focal distention, Coughing of copious thin and white sputum

Damp-Cold Phlegm

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Nausea, Vomiting, Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium, Palpitations, Dizziness, Focal distention, Coughing with copious white sputum

Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Epigastric focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaves or vomiting, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Poor appetite

Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Shortness of breath, HypochondriaI distension

Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Coughing, Asthma, Oedema, Feeling of oppression of the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum

Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Coughing, Shortness of breath, Wheezing, Stifling sensation in the chest, Phlegm in throat, Feeling of heat, Thirst, Feeling of heaviness of the head and body, Dizziness, Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum

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

1 variation documented

Onset Gradual

Location Systemic

Features Pale face/lips/nails • Blurred vision • Dizziness • Scanty menses • Numbness

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

How it presents with peptic ulcer

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

5 variations documented

Onset Gradual (can be sudden)

Location Can be local or systemic

Features Distending/moving pain • Emotional stress worsens • Sighing • Pain relieved by movement/burping

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

How it presents with peptic ulcer

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

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Coughing, Hypochondrium fullness, Dizziness, Headaches, Depression, Listlessness, Moving pain

Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Intermittent epigastric pain, Hernial pain, Painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks, Irritability, Bitter taste in the mouth

Qi Stagnation

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Feeling of distension, Moving distending pain, Depression, Irritability, Mood swings, Frequent sighing

Liver Qi Stagnation

How it presents with peptic ulcer

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, Slight abdominal distension after eating, Lassitude, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Gas, Bloating, Poor digestion, Swollen complexion, Obesity, Overweight, Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor appetite, Fatigue, Anxiety, Pale face, Poor memory, Loose stools, Scanty periods, Pale lips, Dizziness, Dream disturbed sleep, Forgetfulness, Pale complexion, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Menorrhagia

3 variations documented

Onset Gradual

Location Systemic

Features Fatigue • Weak voice • Shortness of breath • Spontaneous sweating • Poor appetite

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

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Unremitting belching, Hiccuping, Regurgitation, Nausea or vomiting, Hard epigastric focal distention

Spleen Qi Deficiency

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Slight abdominal distension after eating, Lassitude, Desire to lie down, Slight abdominal pain, Gas, Bloating, Poor digestion, Swollen complexion, Obesity, Overweight

Heart and Spleen Deficiency

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Palpitations, Insomnia, Poor appetite, Fatigue, Anxiety, Pale face, Poor memory, Loose stools, Scanty periods, Pale lips, Dizziness, Dream disturbed sleep, Forgetfulness, Pale complexion, Abnormal uterine bleeding, Menorrhagia

Yin Deficiency

Depletion of cooling, moistening fluids causing dryness, false heat rising, and restless agitation throughout the body

Causes: Hoarse voice, Tickly throat, Aversion to speak, Thin chest, No desire to eat, Desire to drink in small sips, Slight feeling of fullness after eating

2 variations documented

Onset Gradual

Location Systemic

Features Night sweats • Dry mouth/throat • Heat in afternoon/evening • Malar flush

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.

Lung Yin Deficiency

How it presents with peptic ulcer

Hoarse voice, Tickly throat, Aversion to speak, Thin chest

Stomach Yin Deficiency

How it presents with peptic ulcer

No desire to eat, Desire to drink in small sips, Slight feeling of fullness after eating