Peptic Ulcer in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different peptic ulcer patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
A Peptic Ulcer refers to open sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. The main symptom of Peptic Ulcers is a burning stomach pain, but they may also cause bloating, belching, intolerance to fatty foods, heartburn, and nausea. The main types include Gastric Ulcers, which occur on the stomach lining, and Duodenal Ulcers, found in the upper part of the small intestine. Peptic Ulcer Bleeding signifies a severe complication where an ulcer leads to bleeding, potentially causing serious health issues.
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
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-Heat in the Middle Burner
Epigastric focal distention, Abdominal fullness, Dry heaves or vomiting, Borborygmi with diarrhea, Poor appetite
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Hypochondrial pain that is worse on coughing and breathing, Shortness of breath, HypochondriaI distension
Phlegm-Fluids above the diaphragm
Coughing, Asthma, Oedema, Feeling of oppression of the chest, Dizziness, Profuse white sputum
Phlegm-Heat in the Lungs
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
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, 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
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 Qi Deficiency
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
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
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
Hoarse voice, Tickly throat, Aversion to speak, Thin chest
Stomach Yin Deficiency
No desire to eat, Desire to drink in small sips, Slight feeling of fullness after eating
Herbal Formulas for Peptic Ulcer
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address peptic ulcer
Yi Guan Jian
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Enriches the Yin
- Spreads the Liver Qi
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
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 peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Removes Stagnation
- Warms the Interior
- Dispels Cold
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood
- Alleviates pain
- Harmonizes Blood
Da Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Harmonizes and releases the Lesser Yang
- Drains internal clumping due to Heat
Dan Shen Yin
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Invigorates the Blood and removes Blood Stagnation
- Promote Qi movement
- Relieves pain
Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Liver Blood
- Spreads the Liver Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Er Chen Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
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 peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms the Lungs
- Strengthens the Stomach
Gui Pi Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Tonifies and nourish Qi and Blood
- Tonifies Heart and Spleen
Gui Zhi Ren Shen Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Warms the Interior
- Augments the Qi
- Eliminates focal distention
Huang Lian Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Clears Hot Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder Heat
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Huang Tu Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms the Yang
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Nourishes the Blood
- Stops bleeding
Jin Ling Zi San
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Moves Liver Blood and Liver Qi
- Drains Liver Heat or Fire
- Stops pain
Li Zhong Wan
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Lian Po Yin
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Dampness
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Middle Burner
Liang Fu Wan
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle Burner
- Dispels Cold
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Alleviates Pain
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Strengthens the Spleen
- Resolves Dampness
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Clears Phlegm and mucus
- Promotes appetite
Mai Men Dong Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Nourishes the Stomach
- Generates Body Fluids
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Ping Wei San
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Dries Dampness
- Improves the Spleen's transportive function
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Si Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Tonifies Qi
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
Si Ni San
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Regulates Liver and Spleen
- Eliminates Internal Heat
Tao Hua Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms the Middle
- Dispels Cold
- Binds up the bowels and stops dysenteric disorders
Wen Dan Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Clears Phlegm
- Clears Gallbladder
- Regulates Qi
- Harmonizes the Stomach
Wu Mei Wan
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms the Organs
- Drains Heat
- Calms roundworms
- Drains the Liver
- Calms the Stomach
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Liver and Stomach
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops vomiting
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
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 Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Xiao Qing Long Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Releases the Exterior
- Transforms Phlegm-Fluids
- Warms the Lungs
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Transforms Phlegm
- Expands the chest
- Dissipates clumps
Xiao Yao San
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen
- Relieves Liver Qi stagnation
- Nourishes the Blood
Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Regulates the downward flow of Stomach Qi
- Expectorant, treats hiccups
Yue Ju Wan
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Promotes the movement of Qi
- Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness)
Zhi Zi Chi Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Clears Heat
- Alleviates restlessness and irritability
Zuo Jin Wan
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Heat
- Directs Rebellious Qi downward
- Stops vomiting
Da Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies Middle Burner Deficiency
- Directs rebellious Qi downward
- Relieves pain
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)
- Tonifies Qi
- Relieves spasmodic pain
Chai Hu Gui Zhi Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
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
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Tonifies Spleen and Stomach Qi
- Removes Dampness
- Moves Qi
- Alleviates pain
- Strengthens the Spleen and Harmonizes the Stomach,
Shi Hui San
Traditional formula for peptic ulcer
Main Actions
- Cools the Blood and
- Stops bleeding
- Clears Heat and drains Fire