Vomiting Blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Understanding different vomiting blood patterns according to TCM theory
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Condition Categories
Condition Categories
Vomiting blood, medically known as hematemesis, is a symptom where a person expels blood mixed with stomach contents through the mouth. This condition is often an indicator of gastrointestinal issues, ranging from ulcers and inflammation to more severe conditions like cancer or liver disease. Recognizing this symptom is critical as it requires immediate medical attention to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), vomiting blood is seen through the lens of imbalance and disharmony within the body. TCM identifies several patterns of disharmony that could lead to this symptom, including but not limited to Liver Fire Blazing, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire, or Blood Stasis. Identifying the exact pattern is crucial for TCM practitioners as it dictates the treatment approach, focusing on restoring balance and addressing the root cause of the symptom.
TCM Patterns for Vomiting Blood
Heat
Intense, ascending pathogenic force that consumes body fluids, disturbs the mind, and accelerates all physiological processes
Causes: Haematemesis, Vomiting of blood
Heat is a major pathogenic factor in Traditional Chinese Medicine that can arise from external invasion or internal generation. Heat has the characteristics of burning intensity, rising upward, consuming qi and fluids, and generating wind and disturbing blood. In TCM philosophy, normal physiological warmth is called "minor fire" (少火) which maintains life functions, while pathological heat is "major fire" (壮火) which damages the body.
Liver Fire Blazing
Haematemesis
Along with: Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Vivid dreaming, Constipation, Dry stools, Dark urine, Nosebleeds, Cough of blood, Vomiting blood
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Haematemesis
Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Vivid dreaming, Constipation, Dry stools, Dark urine, Nosebleeds, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood
Heat in the Blood
Vomiting of blood
Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation
Heat victorious agitating Blood
Vomiting of blood
Along with: Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Hematochezia, Hematuria
Blood Stasis
Blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels
Causes: Vomiting of blood, Possible vomiting of blood
Blood Stasis represents blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels, either moving too slowly, pooling in certain areas, or congealing into clots. It's one of the most important pathological conditions in Traditional Chinese Medicine and can be both a result of disease and a cause of further illness.
Liver Blood Stagnation
Vomiting of blood
Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods, Dark menstrual clots, Infertility, Abdominal masses, Purple nails, Purple lips, Purple face, Skin dryness, Petechiae
Stomach Blood Stagnation
Vomiting of blood, Possible vomiting of blood
Along with: Nocturnal epigastric pain, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Nausea or vomiting, Potential vomiting of blood, Hematochezia
Mind Disturbance
Disruption of consciousness, mental clarity, and emotional equilibrium causing restlessness, confusion, or withdrawal
Causes: Vomiting of blood
Mind Disturbance represents a broad category of patterns in Traditional Chinese Medicine involving disruptions to consciousness, mental clarity, emotional stability, and cognitive function. These patterns affect the Shen (spirit/consciousness), which according to classical texts resides in the Heart and is distributed among the five organs.
Heat victorious agitating Blood
Vomiting of blood
Along with: Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Hematochezia, Hematuria
Blood Deficiency
Insufficient blood to nourish the body, causing paleness, dizziness, and dryness throughout the system
Causes: Vomiting of blood
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.
Loss of Blood
Vomiting of blood
Along with: Nosebleeds, Uterine hemorrhage, Hematuria, Hematochezia, Cough of blood, Vomiting blood, Dark menstrual clots, Excessive menstruation, Bloody sputum
Qi Rebellion
Qi flowing against its natural direction, typically surging upward when it should descend
Causes: Vomiting of blood
Qi Rebellion represents a fundamental disruption in the body's energy flow, where qi moves against its proper direction - like water flowing uphill or smoke sinking downward. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each organ has a natural directional flow for its qi, and when this flow reverses, it creates a cascade of symptoms that shoot upward through the body.
Rebellious Lung Qi
Vomiting of blood
Along with: Coughing, Asthma, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches, Loss of consciousness
Wind
Causes sudden symptoms, movement disorders, and serves as the vehicle for other pathogens
Causes: Haematemesis
Wind is the predominant pathogenic factor of spring in Traditional Chinese Medicine and is considered the leader of the six external pathogens. Wind is described as "the leader of the hundred diseases" (百病之长), serving as the primary factor in external pathogenic invasions. Wind represents a pathogen characterized by constant movement, changeability, and a tendency to affect the upper and outer portions of the body.
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Haematemesis
Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Vivid dreaming, Constipation, Dry stools, Dark urine, Nosebleeds, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood
Herbal Formulas for Vomiting Blood
Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address vomiting blood
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity
- Cools the Blood
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Heat victorious agitating Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds...
Loss of Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Nosebleeds, Uterine hemorrhage, Hematuria, Hematochezia, Cough of blood, Vomiting blood...
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Moves Qi and Alleviates Pain
- Disperses Accumulations and Dissipates Nodules
- Soothes the Liver and Regulates Qi
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Stomach Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood, Possible vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Nocturnal epigastric pain, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Nausea or vomiting, Potential vomiting of blood, Hematochezia
Shi Xiao San
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Dissipates Nodules and Softens Hardness
- Alleviates Pain
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Stomach Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood, Possible vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Nocturnal epigastric pain, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Nausea or vomiting, Potential vomiting of blood, Hematochezia
Bai He Di Huang Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Clears Deficiency Heat
- Moistens the Lungs
- Cools the Blood
- Calms the Spirit
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint
- Moves Qi and Alleviates Pain
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Harmonizes the Liver and Spleen
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains Liver and Gallbladder Fire
- Purges Heat and Unblocks the Bowels
- Clears Heat from the Internal Organs
- Resolves Heat Toxins
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Fire Blazing
How it manifests:
Haematemesis
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness...
Feng Yin Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and extinguishes Wind
- Subdues Floating Yang
- Settles Fright and Calms Convulsions
- Guides Wind-Fire downward
- Secures Essence and Stops Leakage
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it manifests:
Haematemesis
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache...
Gu Jing Wan
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Nourishes Yin
- Clears Heat
- Secures the Menses and Stops Uterine Bleeding
- Stops Bleeding
- Secures the Chong and Ren Vessels
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Hua Ban Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat from the Qi level
- Cools the Blood
- Resolves Toxicity
- Cools the Blood and Resolves Macules
- Nourishes Yin
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Jin Fei Cao San
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Disperses Wind-Cold
- Descends Qi
- Resolves Phlegm
- Stops Cough
- Warms the Lungs and Stops Cough
- Releases the Exterior
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Rebellious Lung Qi
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Asthma, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches...
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Liver and extinguishes Wind
- Softens and Relaxes the Sinews
- Settles Fright and Calms Convulsions
- Clears Heat and Transforms Phlegm
- Calms the Spirit
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it manifests:
Haematemesis
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache...
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Drains excess Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder
- Clears Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner
- Clears Heat from the Liver channel
- Promotes Urination and Drains Dampness
- Nourishes Blood and Yin to prevent damage from bitter cold
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Fire Blazing
How it manifests:
Haematemesis
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness...
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Cools the Blood
- Secures the Menses and Stops Uterine Bleeding
- Nourishes Yin and Clears Deficiency Heat
- Astringes to Stop Uterine Bleeding
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Qing Ying Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Nutritive Level
- Resolves Heat Toxins
- Vents Pathogenic Heat Outward
- Nourishes Yin
- Generates Fluids
- Cools the Blood
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Shi Hui San
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Cools the Blood and Stops Bleeding
- Clears Heat and Drains Fire
- Drains Fire
- Dispels Stasis to Promote Healing
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Heat in the Blood
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia...
Su Zi Jiang Qi Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Descends Qi and calms wheezing
- Resolves Phlegm and Stops Cough
- Disperses Cold and Transforms Phlegm
- Aids the Kidneys in Grasping Qi
- Guides Fire Back to Its Source
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Rebellious Lung Qi
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Coughing, Asthma, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches...
Xiao Yao San
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
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
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods...
Xie Qing Wan
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Liver Fire
- Clears Liver and Gallbladder Heat
- Nourishes Liver Blood
- Purges Heat and Unblocks the Bowels
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Fire Blazing
How it manifests:
Haematemesis
Accompanying symptoms:
Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness...
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Invigorates Blood and Dispels Stasis
- Moves Qi and Alleviates Pain
- Opens the Chest and Disperses Stagnation
- Courses the Liver and Resolves Constraint
- Guides Herbs and Blood Downward
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Stomach Blood Stagnation
How it manifests:
Vomiting of blood, Possible vomiting of blood
Accompanying symptoms:
Nocturnal epigastric pain, Abdominal pain worsened by pressure, Nausea or vomiting, Potential vomiting of blood, Hematochezia
Zi Xue Dan
Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:
Main Actions
- Clears Heat and Resolves Toxicity
- Opens the Orifices and Revives Consciousness
- Extinguishes Wind and Stops Spasms
- Calms the Spirit and Settles Fright
- Clears Heat and Drains Fire
Addresses These Vomiting Blood Pattern Variations
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it manifests:
Haematemesis
Accompanying symptoms:
Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache...
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Traditional formula for vomiting blood
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