Vomiting
呕吐 · ǒu tù+86 other namesHide other names
Also known as: Emesis, Spitting Up, Throwing Up, Vomit, Regurgitation, Occasional vomiting, Slight vomiting or dry heaving, Recalcitrant Perimenopausal Vomiting, Chronic Perimenopausal Vomiting, Persistent Vomiting During Perimenopause, Recalitrant Peri Menopausal Vomiting, Recalitrant Perimenopausal Vomiting, Refractory Perimenopausal Vomiting, Resistant Vomiting During Perimenopause, Unresponsive Menopausal Vomiting, Chronic Vomiting During Menopause, Hard-to-treat Vomiting In Menopausal Women, Persistent Vomiting During Menopause, Vomiting Undigested Food, Food Vomiting, Vomiting Of Food, Bringing up undigested food, Nausea or vomiting of sour, undigested food, Nausea or vomiting of undigested food, Neurogenic Vomiting, Neurological-induced Vomiting, Vomiting Caused By Nerve Problems, Vomiting Clear Liquid, Clear Fluid Vomiting, Vomiting Of Clear Fluids, Vomiting Of Watery Fluids, Vomiting Watery Contents, Vomiting Watery Liquids, Nausea or vomiting of clear watery fluid, Nausea or vomiting of clear fluid, Vomiting of clear watery fluid, Vomiting of clear watery fluid or thin phlegm, Vomiting of thin clear watery fluid, Vomiting of water immediately after drinking, Vomiting of watery or clear fluid, Vomiting clear fluid, Dry Heaving, Gagging, Retching, Dry Heaves Or Vomiting, Retching Without Vomiting Or With Vomiting, Vomiting Or Dry Retching, Vomiting Or Retching, Dry Retching, Dry Heaves, Dry heaving or retching, Vomiting After Eating, Emesis After Eating, Postprandial Vomiting, Throwing Up After Ingestion, Vomiting Following Meals, Postprandial Emesis, Vomiting After Drinking, Vomiting After Meals, Vomiting Of Fluids Soon After Drinking, Vomiting Of Sour Fluids, Vomiting Sour-tasting Fluids, Vomiting Sour-tasting Liquids, Expelling Acrid Or Tart Fluids, Regurgitating Bitter Or Sour Liquids, Spitting Up Bitter Or Sour Fluids, Vomiting Bitter Or Sour Substances, Nausea or vomiting of bitter or sour fluid, Vomiting of sticky or bitter fluid, Vomiting Frothy Saliva, Foamy Saliva In Vomit, Foamy Spit In Vomit, Vomiting Frothy Spit, Vomiting Of Foamy Saliva, Phlegmy Vomit, Vomiting Mucus, Vomiting Phlegm, Nausea or vomiting of thin watery saliva, Nausea or Vomiting of Phlegm, Nausea or vomiting of phlegm-like fluid, Nausea or tendency to vomit phlegm-like fluid, Nausea or vomiting of mucus, Vomiting of phlegm or saliva, Vomiting of clear or white phlegm-like fluid, Vomiting of Bitter or Sour Fluid, Vomiting Clear Water
What you vomit - and when - tells TCM exactly which pattern is at play. Most people with chronic or recurrent vomiting see a significant reduction in frequency and severity within 2-6 weeks of targeted herbs and acupuncture.
About this page · what it is and isn't
What this is. A plain-English synthesis of how classical TCM and modern clinical research describe vomiting. Patterns and herbs come from canonical TCM sources; clinical claims are cited in the Evidence section.
What it isn't. A diagnosis. Me&Qi is an editorial team, not a licensed clinic. The pattern quiz is a thinking tool — pulse and tongue still need a person in the room. Anything in the Safety section should send you to a doctor, not a herb.
Last reviewed Jun 2026.
Educational content about Traditional Chinese Medicine — not medical advice. See a qualified practitioner for diagnosis and treatment.
In conventional medicine, vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth, usually preceded by nausea. It is a reflex controlled by the brain's vomiting centre and can be triggered by many things - infections like gastroenteritis, food poisoning, motion sickness, pregnancy, migraines, certain medications, or even strong emotions. Diagnosis relies on your history, a physical exam, and sometimes blood tests or imaging to rule out more serious causes like obstruction or neurological problems.
Conventional treatments
Acute vomiting is often managed with rest, rehydration, and a temporary switch to bland foods. Anti-emetic medications such as ondansetron or promethazine may be prescribed to suppress the symptom, especially if dehydration is a concern. When a specific cause is identified - for example, a bacterial infection or migraine - treatment targets that underlying issue. Most episodes of acute vomiting resolve on their own within a day or two.
Where conventional treatment falls short
Anti-emetics can quiet the symptom quickly, but they do not address the pattern that makes a person prone to recurrent vomiting. Side effects like drowsiness or constipation are common, and long-term use is not ideal. Conventional care often treats all vomiting the same way, without distinguishing between the heavy, sour vomiting of overeating, the stress-triggered bitter regurgitation, or the chronic watery vomiting that worsens with cold. This is where TCM's pattern-based approach offers a deeper, more personalised strategy for lasting relief.
How TCM understands vomiting
In TCM, all vomiting is a sign of rebellious Stomach Qi (胃气上逆, wèi qì shàng nì). The Stomach's natural job is to send food and fluids downward; when it rebels, Qi rises and carries stomach contents up and out. This upward rebellion is never the root problem - it is the final common pathway. The real question is: what is pushing the Stomach to rebel?
The trigger can be an external invader, like a sudden chill that directly attacks the Stomach, or an internal accumulation, such as undigested food sitting and fermenting after a heavy meal. It can also come from another organ - most often the Liver. When stress or frustration causes Liver Qi to stagnate, it can rush horizontally and disrupt the Stomach, leading to sour or bitter vomiting that flares with emotional upset.
Long-standing vomiting often points to a deeper weakness. If the Spleen is too weak to transform fluids, they gather as phlegm-fluids that slosh in the stomach and are vomited as clear, watery liquid. If the Stomach's warming Yang is depleted, even a small amount of food feels heavy and is rejected. And if the Stomach's cooling, moistening Yin is dried up, the result is dry heaving with a parched mouth.
Because the quality of the vomit, the timing, and the accompanying sensations all point to a specific pattern, a TCM practitioner can select a treatment that targets the root - not just the symptom. This is why one person's vomiting may clear up quickly with digestive herbs, while another needs weeks of warming, tonifying formulas to rebuild a weakened digestive fire.
「胃者，水谷之海，六腑之大源也。五味入口，藏于胃以养五藏气……胃气逆则呕吐。」
"The Stomach is the sea of water and grain and the great source of the six fu organs. The five flavours enter the mouth and are stored in the Stomach to nourish the qi of the five zang organs… when Stomach qi rebels, there is vomiting."
How a TCM practitioner diagnoses vomiting
Inside the consultation
A TCM practitioner starts by asking what the vomit looks and smells like, when it happens, and what makes it better or worse. Vomiting is always a sign of rebellious Stomach Qi (胃气上逆, wèi qì shàng nì), but the quality of the vomit, the accompanying discomfort, and the tongue and pulse reveal which underlying pattern is driving that rebellion.
If the vomit is sour and foul-smelling, with chunks of undigested food, and the person feels bloated and belches after a heavy meal, Food Stagnation in the Stomach is the likely culprit. The tongue coating will be thick and greasy, and the pulse will feel slippery-both signs of accumulated food and dampness clogging the digestive tract.
When vomiting strikes suddenly after exposure to cold, and the vomit is clear and watery with a feeling of chest tightness and an aversion to cold, Cold invading the Stomach is the diagnosis. The tongue coating is typically white, and the pulse may feel tight or slow, reflecting the external cold pathogen that has directly attacked the stomach and disrupted its downward movement.
Emotional stress that triggers sour or bitter vomiting, belching, and a distended feeling in the ribs and chest points to Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach. Here the tongue may be normal or slightly red on the sides, and the pulse often has a wiry quality, indicating constrained Liver energy that is lashing sideways at the stomach.
Vomiting of clear, watery, or frothy saliva along with dizziness and a heavy sensation in the chest suggests Phlegm-Fluids in the Stomach and Small intestine. The tongue is usually swollen with a thick, white, greasy coating, and the pulse is slippery or wiry-both signs that fluids are not being transformed properly and are pooling as phlegm.
If even a small amount of food triggers vomiting of thin, clear fluid, and the person looks pale, has cold hands and feet, and feels better with warmth and pressure, Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold is the pattern. The tongue is pale with a white coating, and the pulse is deep, slow, and weak, revealing a deep lack of warming energy.
A less common but distinct picture is Stomach Yin Deficiency, where the person dry heaves or vomits only a small amount, with a very dry mouth and throat. The tongue is red with little or no coating, and the pulse is thready and rapid, indicating that the stomach’s moistening fluids have been damaged over time.
TCM Patterns for Vomiting
In TCM, the aim is to address the root cause, not just the symptom — it calls that root cause a “pattern.” The same vomiting can come from several different patterns, each treated differently. The quickest way to find yours is the quiz below.
Find your pattern
Tap any sign that fits how yours feels.
- 1Your signs
- 2What makes it worse
- 3What helps
Which signs match your experience?
It is easy to see yourself in more than one pattern, because several of them share features like clear, watery vomit or sour regurgitation. The key is to notice the context and the strongest accompanying signal-whether the problem began suddenly after a meal or a chill, or whether it has been a gradual, lingering issue tied to your emotional state or chronic weakness.
For example, both Cold invading the Stomach and Stomach Yang Deficiency involve vomiting clear fluid, but the former is an acute attack with chills and a sudden onset, while the latter is a chronic condition with low energy, cold limbs, and a pale tongue. Similarly, sour vomiting can come from Food Stagnation (with a foul smell and recent overindulgence) or from Liver Qi invading the Stomach (with emotional triggers and rib-side tension).
Phlegm-Fluids and Stomach Yang Deficiency both produce watery vomit and involve a weak Spleen, but the phlegm pattern adds dizziness, a heavy chest, and a thick, greasy tongue coating. If your vomit is scanty, your mouth is parched, and you feel more dry than cold, Stomach Yin Deficiency may be the hidden thread.
Because these patterns overlap and the tongue and pulse often hold the decisive clue, a professional TCM diagnosis is valuable whenever vomiting is recurrent or hard to pin down. Seek prompt medical attention if vomiting is severe, contains blood, or is accompanied by intense pain, high fever, or signs of dehydration, as these may indicate a serious underlying condition.
Food Stagnation in the Stomach
Cold invading the Stomach
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Treatment
Four ways to address vomiting in TCM — explore each, or take the quiz to see what fits you first.
Formulas traditionally used for vomiting
7 formulas across the patterns above. The right one depends on your pattern — start with the quiz if you're unsure which fits.
A gentle, time-tested formula for the uncomfortable, heavy feeling after overeating or consuming rich, greasy foods. It helps break down accumulated food, relieves bloating, acid reflux, nausea, and belching, and restores normal digestive movement. Often described as 'digestive first aid' in Chinese medicine, it works by clearing the blockage rather than masking symptoms.
A classical formula used to relieve symptoms of gastrointestinal upset combined with a cold, especially during summer. It addresses chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal bloating, and a heavy feeling in the head caused by exposure to cold and dampness that disrupt digestion. One of the most widely used formulas in Chinese medicine for "stomach flu" type complaints.
A classical formula for people experiencing rib-side or chest pain, emotional frustration, irritability, sighing, and bloating caused by stagnation of Liver Qi. It works by smoothing the flow of Liver Qi, relieving tension, and gently moving blood to stop pain. It is one of the most widely used formulas for stress-related digestive and emotional complaints.
A classical two-herb formula used to stop nausea and vomiting caused by fluid and phlegm accumulating in the stomach. It is especially suited for vomiting with no thirst, a feeling of fullness below the chest, and a white slippery tongue coating. Often regarded as the foundational anti-nausea prescription in Chinese medicine.
A classical four-herb formula used to address dizziness, heart palpitations, chest fullness, and shortness of breath caused by a weak digestive system failing to properly process fluids. It gently warms the body and helps move excess fluid accumulation, particularly when someone feels heavy, waterlogged, or dizzy upon standing.
A classical warming formula used to strengthen the digestive system when it has become weakened by internal cold. It addresses symptoms like watery diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain relieved by warmth and pressure, poor appetite, and a general feeling of coldness. It works by warming the core of the body and restoring the Spleen and Stomach's ability to process food and fluids.
A classical formula for nourishing the lungs and stomach, used for persistent dry cough, throat dryness, shortness of breath, or nausea caused by depleted fluids in the respiratory and digestive systems. It works by replenishing moisture in the body while gently directing upward-rising Qi back downward.
Excess patterns like Food Stagnation or Cold invading the Stomach often respond quickly, sometimes within a few days to two weeks. Patterns involving emotional stress (Liver invading Stomach) may take 2-4 weeks to stabilise as the nervous system calms. Deficiency patterns - Stomach Yang Deficiency, Stomach Yin Deficiency, or Phlegm-Fluids - require rebuilding the body's reserves and typically need 4-8 weeks of consistent treatment, with ongoing dietary support.
Treatment principles
Across all patterns, the central goal is to harmonise the Stomach and redirect rebellious Qi downward. How this is achieved varies dramatically.
For food stagnation, the formula Bao He Wan promotes digestion and clears retained food. For a cold invasion, warming, dispersing herbs in Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San drive out the external chill. When the Liver is the culprit, Chai Hu Shu Gan San soothes the Liver and regulates Qi. Phlegm-fluids are transformed and drained with formulas like Xiao Ban Xia Tang, while a cold, deficient Stomach is warmed with Li Zhong Wan. For a dry, Yin-deficient Stomach, Mai Men Dong Tang moistens and nourishes.
Acupuncture supports these strategies by using points that calm the Stomach and redirect Qi. Zhongwan (REN-12), Neiguan (PC-6), and Zusanli (ST-36) are almost always included, with additional points chosen based on the pattern – such as Taichong (LR-3) for Liver involvement or Fenglong (ST-40) for phlegm. Moxibustion (warming the points with a burning herb) is often added for cold or deficient patterns.
What to expect from treatment
Most people notice a reduction in the frequency and severity of vomiting within the first two weeks of herbal treatment, especially if they also make the recommended dietary changes. Acute attacks may be stopped quickly; chronic patterns improve more gradually as the digestive system is rebuilt. Acupuncture is typically done once or twice a week, while herbs are taken 2-3 times daily. You will likely be asked to keep a simple food and symptom diary to help identify triggers and track progress.
General dietary guidance
Eat small, warm, and frequent meals rather than large, heavy ones. Favour easily digested foods: rice congee, steamed vegetables, soups, and ginger tea. Avoid cold drinks, raw salads, greasy or fried foods, dairy, and excessive sweets, as these all tax the digestive system. After an acute vomiting episode, rest the stomach for a few hours, then reintroduce bland foods slowly. Chewing thoroughly and eating in a calm, unhurried environment also helps the Stomach accept and process food.
Combining TCM with conventional treatment
TCM can safely complement conventional care. If you are taking anti-emetics, herbal formulas may gradually reduce your reliance on them, but never stop prescribed medication without your doctor's guidance. No serious herb-drug interactions are known with commonly used Stomach-harmonising formulas, but always disclose your full medication list to your TCM practitioner. If your vomiting is caused by a mechanical obstruction or a serious neurological condition, TCM plays a supportive role alongside primary medical treatment.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Safety & special considerations
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Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds — This may indicate bleeding in the stomach or oesophagus - seek emergency care.
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Severe abdominal pain, especially if it comes on suddenly — Could signal an obstruction, perforation, or other surgical emergency.
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High fever with a stiff neck and sensitivity to light — Possible meningitis - needs immediate medical evaluation.
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Signs of severe dehydration — Dry mouth, very little or no urination, dizziness, or confusion - especially in children or the elderly.
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Vomiting after a head injury — May indicate a concussion or more serious brain injury.
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Inability to keep any fluids down for more than 24 hours (adults) or 12 hours (children) — Risk of dangerous dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.
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Confusion, extreme lethargy, or loss of consciousness — These are red flags for a serious systemic or neurological problem.
Audience-specific guidance — open what applies to you
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (morning sickness) are extremely common and are viewed in TCM as a disturbance of the Chong and Ren vessels that weakens the Stomach’s ability to send Qi downward. The most frequent patterns are Phlegm‑Fluids obstructing the Stomach and Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold, although Liver Qi stagnation can also play a role in the first trimester. The goal is always to gently harmonise the Stomach and descend rebellious Qi without harming the pregnancy.
Herbal treatment during pregnancy requires caution. The formula Xiao Ban Xia Tang is classically used for Phlegm‑Fluids vomiting and is generally considered safe when prepared with processed Ban Xia (Fa Ban Xia) and used in appropriate doses, but many practitioners prefer to avoid Ban Xia in the first trimester and instead rely on milder herbs. Acupuncture is an excellent alternative – points like Neiguan PC‑6 and Zusanli ST‑36 are widely used, while points that strongly move Qi or blood, such as Hegu LI‑4 and Sanyinjiao SP‑6, are avoided. Warm, easily digested congee and small frequent meals are universally recommended.
Vomiting in a breastfeeding mother is treated with the same pattern‑based approach, but herbs that are very bitter or cold should be used cautiously because they can pass into breast milk and cause diarrhoea or digestive upset in the infant. For Heat‑pattern vomiting, milder clear‑heat herbs are preferred over strong ones. For Cold patterns, warm‑aromatic herbs like Huo Xiang and Zi Su Ye are safe and can even help the baby’s digestion.
Acupuncture is a safe and effective option during breastfeeding and can often manage vomiting without herbs. The mother’s hydration and nutrition are paramount – vomiting can deplete fluids and Qi, so congee, soups, and adequate rest are emphasised alongside treatment. If the vomiting is severe and the mother cannot keep fluids down, medical evaluation is essential to rule out underlying infection or obstruction.
In children, vomiting most often arises from Food Stagnation in the Stomach, because children’s digestive systems are still maturing and they easily overeat or consume too many cold, sweet, or greasy foods. The classic presentation is sudden vomiting of sour, foul‑smelling, undigested food after a heavy meal, often with a bloated belly and a thick, greasy tongue coating. The formula Bao He Wan is a mainstay, but the dosage must be reduced according to age - typically one‑quarter to one‑half of the adult dose for a young child, and it is often given as a decoction for easier swallowing.
Cold invading the Stomach is another common paediatric pattern, especially after a child gets chilled or drinks cold beverages. The vomit is clear and watery, and the child will crave warmth. Gentle acupressure at Zusanli ST‑36 and Neiguan PC‑6, along with warm ginger tea, can be very effective. Because young children cannot always describe their symptoms, the doctor relies heavily on observation - the tongue coating, the smell of the vomit, and whether the child feels better after vomiting are key diagnostic clues.
In older adults, vomiting is more likely to stem from deficiency patterns, especially Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold or Stomach Yin Deficiency. The Stomach’s fire and fluids naturally decline with age, so even small amounts of food can trigger vomiting of clear watery fluid or dry heaving. The tongue is often pale and puffy with teeth marks, or red and dry with little coating, reflecting the underlying emptiness.
Herbal dosages in the elderly are typically reduced to about two‑thirds of the standard adult dose, and treatment timelines are longer because the body takes more time to rebuild Qi and Yang. Acupuncture is gentle and well‑tolerated, with a focus on moxibustion for Cold‑deficiency patterns. Since many older patients take multiple medications, it is important to check for drug‑herb interactions, and any vomiting that causes weight loss or dehydration must be evaluated for more serious underlying causes.
Evidence & references
Acupuncture at the Neiguan PC‑6 point has the strongest evidence base for treating nausea and vomiting, particularly chemotherapy‑induced and post‑operative vomiting. A Cochrane review concluded that PC‑6 stimulation significantly reduces the incidence of post‑operative nausea and vomiting, and similar benefits have been demonstrated for chemotherapy‑related vomiting. The evidence for Chinese herbal medicine is more limited, with most studies published in Chinese journals and few rigorous randomised controlled trials in English. However, formulas such as Bao He Wan and Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San have a long history of clinical use and are supported by case series and small trials for functional dyspepsia and acute gastroenteritis.
Overall, the evidence for acupuncture in vomiting is moderate to high for specific settings, while herbal medicine evidence remains largely empirical and tradition‑based. More high‑quality trials that differentiate TCM patterns are needed to confirm the efficacy of pattern‑specific herbal treatment for vomiting.
Key clinical studies
This Cochrane systematic review assessed the effect of PC‑6 stimulation (acupuncture, acupressure, or electro‑acupuncture) on post‑operative nausea and vomiting. The review found that PC‑6 stimulation significantly reduced the incidence of nausea and vomiting compared to sham, making it a safe and effective non‑pharmacological option.
Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point P6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting
Lee A, Fan LTY. Stimulation of the wrist acupuncture point P6 for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009; (2): CD003281.
This Cochrane review evaluated acupuncture-point stimulation for nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. The analysis showed that electro‑acupuncture and acupressure at PC‑6 reduced the frequency of acute vomiting, providing evidence for acupuncture as an adjunct in cancer care.
Acupuncture-point stimulation for chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting
Ezzo J, Richardson MA, Vickers A, Allen C, Dibble SL, Issell BF, et al. Acupuncture-point stimulation for chemotherapy-induced nausea or vomiting. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2006; (2): CD002285.
Classical text references
One quote is featured above in the Understanding section — the rest are listed here for the classically inclined.
「食谷欲呕，属阳明也，吴茱萸汤主之。」
"When eating grain causes a desire to vomit, it pertains to the Yangming [Stomach] and is treated with Wuzhuyu Tang."
Shang Han Lun
Clause 243
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about using Traditional Chinese Medicine for vomiting.
In many cases, yes - especially for acute vomiting from food stagnation, a sudden chill, or stress. Acupuncture at points like Neiguan (PC-6) and Zusanli (ST-36) can quickly redirect rebellious Stomach Qi downward. However, immediate relief does not mean the underlying pattern is resolved; follow-up treatment is usually needed to prevent recurrence.
Generally, yes. Herbal formulas that harmonise the Stomach are gentle and can be used alongside conventional anti-emetics. Always inform both your TCM practitioner and your doctor about everything you are taking. Do not stop prescribed medication abruptly. If you are taking medication for a serious underlying condition, your herbal formula will be adjusted to avoid any potential interactions.
Notice the timing and the triggers. Food stagnation vomiting happens after overeating and brings up sour, foul-smelling, undigested food, often with relief afterwards. Stress-related vomiting flares with emotional upset, brings up sour or bitter fluid, and is accompanied by rib-side distension and belching. A TCM practitioner will also look at your tongue and pulse to confirm the pattern.
TCM has a long history of safely managing pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting, but it must be done under the care of a qualified practitioner who specialises in pregnancy. Certain herbs and acupuncture points are avoided during pregnancy. Mild, food-based approaches like ginger tea and small, frequent meals are often recommended first. Always consult your midwife or doctor as well.
Avoid cold, raw, greasy, spicy, and overly sweet foods, as they burden the digestive system. Dairy and heavy, rich meals can also be problematic. Instead, favour warm, easily digested foods like congee, steamed vegetables, and ginger tea. Eating small, regular meals rather than large ones helps prevent overloading the Stomach.
For acute vomiting, 1-3 sessions may be enough. For chronic or recurrent patterns, weekly sessions for 4-8 weeks are typical. Herbal medicine is usually taken daily between sessions. Your practitioner will reassess your progress and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
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