Vomiting Blood in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Understanding different vomiting blood patterns according to TCM theory

Educational content • Consult qualified practitioners for medical advice

Condition Categories

Nausea and Vomiting
6
TCM Patterns
21
Formulas
Overview
What causes it 6 TCM patterns documented
How to recognize Symptoms specific to each vomiting blood pattern
Classical remedies 21 herbal formulas documented
Related conditions

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

4 variations documented
Onset Can be sudden
Location Can be local or systemic
Features Red face/eyes • Thirst for cold drinks • Restlessness • Yellow/dark secretions

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
How it presents with vomiting blood

Haematemesis

Along with: Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness,

Traditional Herbal Formulas
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
How it presents with vomiting blood

Haematemesis

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Heat in the Blood
How it presents with vomiting blood

Vomiting of blood

Along with: Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia,

Heat victorious agitating Blood
How it presents with vomiting blood

Vomiting of blood

Along with: Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Stasis

Blood that is no longer flowing smoothly through the vessels

Causes: Vomiting of blood, Possible vomiting of blood

2 variations documented
Onset Gradual (trauma=sudden)
Location Often local, can be systemic
Features Fixed/stabbing pain • Purple/dark coloration • Masses/tumors • Pain worse at night

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
How it presents with vomiting blood

Vomiting of blood

Along with: Hypochondriac pain, Abdominal pain, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Menstrual cramps, Irregular periods,

Stomach Blood Stagnation
How it presents with vomiting blood

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

1 variation documented
Onset Varies
Location Heart/Mind
Features Disturbed Shen • Anxiety/insomnia/palpitations • Emotional instability • Scattered thinking

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
How it presents with vomiting blood

Vomiting of blood

Along with: Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Blood Deficiency

Insufficient blood to nourish the body, causing paleness, dizziness, and dryness throughout the system

Causes: Vomiting of blood

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.

Loss of Blood
How it presents with vomiting blood

Vomiting of blood

Along with: Nosebleeds, Uterine hemorrhage, Hematuria, Hematochezia, Cough of blood, Vomiting blood,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Qi Rebellion

Qi flowing against its natural direction, typically surging upward when it should descend

Causes: Vomiting of blood

1 variation documented
Onset Sudden
Location Upper body/upward
Features Upward movement • Nausea/vomiting • Hiccups • Cough/asthma • Headache

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
How it presents with vomiting blood

Vomiting of blood

Along with: Coughing, Asthma, Nausea, Vomit, Dizziness, Headaches,

Traditional Herbal Formulas

Wind

Causes sudden symptoms, movement disorders, and serves as the vehicle for other pathogens

Causes: Haematemesis

1 variation documented
Onset Sudden
Location Often upper body/exterior
Features Rapid onset • Moving/migrating symptoms • Itching • Symptoms change location

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
How it presents with vomiting blood

Haematemesis

Along with: Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache,

Herbal Formulas for Vomiting Blood

Traditional Chinese Medicine formulas used to address vomiting blood

Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Heat Mind Disturbance Blood Deficiency

Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Blood Stasis

Shi Xiao San

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Blood Stasis

Bai He Di Huang Tang

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Heat

Chai Hu Shu Gan San

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Blood Stasis

Dang Gui Long Hui Wan

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Heat

Feng Yin Tang

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Heat Wind

Gu Jing Wan

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Heat

Hua Ban Tang

Addresses these vomiting blood patterns:

Heat