Gastric Neurosisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Digestive Disturbances
What is Gastric Neurosis?
Gastric neurosis, also known as nervous dyspepsia or a nervous stomach, is a condition characterized by various gastrointestinal symptoms driven primarily by psychological factors such as stress or anxiety. Unlike other digestive disorders where physical abnormalities are evident, gastric neurosis manifests through symptoms like abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort without any identifiable physical cause. The condition often correlates with emotional states and mental well-being, indicating a significant psychosomatic component in its development and manifestation.
How Does TCM View Gastric Neurosis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) approaches gastric neurosis through a holistic lens, viewing it as an imbalance between the body’s physical and emotional aspects.
According to TCM, gastric neurosis arises from disharmonies within the body's energy systems, particularly involving the liver and spleen. This imbalance disrupts the flow of Qi (vital energy) and can lead to symptoms of nervous dyspepsia. TCM treatments focus on restoring balance and harmony to these energy systems.
Causes of Gastric Neurosis According to TCM
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) attributes gastric neurosis to imbalances like Damp and Phlegm, particularly seen in patterns such as Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus or Damp-Cold. These conditions, characterized by an accumulation of Dampness and Phlegm, disrupt digestive processes.
Another key cause identified in TCM is Liver-Spleen disharmony, encompassing Liver Blood Stagnation, Liver Qi Deficiency, or Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen. This is often a result of emotional stress impacting liver function and, consequently, the spleen's digestive capabilities. These approaches in TCM aim to holistically restore internal balance.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Gastric Neurosis
In treating gastric neurosis, TCM employs specific herbal formulas tailored to the underlying patterns of disharmony. For Damp-Phlegm in the Uterus and Damp-Cold patterns, Wei Ling Tang, featuring Water plantain (Ze Xie) as a key ingredient, is often used. This formula expels dampness and promotes the proper functioning of the spleen and stomach.
Another important formula is Xiao Yao San, which includes Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu). It's particularly effective for patterns like Liver Blood Stagnation and Rebellious Liver Qi invading the Spleen, harmonizing liver-spleen function and addressing the emotional components of the disorder. These formulas showcase TCM’s comprehensive approach to addressing both the physical and emotional aspects of gastric neurosis.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address gastric neurosis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that promote qi movement
- Formulas that expel dampness
- Formulas that harmonize liver-Spleen
Formulas that promote Qi movement
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from stagnation or imbalance in the flow of Qi, the vital life energy, within the body.
One such formula is Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, with crow-dipper rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that promote qi movement" recommended for gastric neurosis
| Formula | Key herbs |
|---|---|
| Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang | Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) |
| Yue Ju Wan | Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu), Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong) |
Formulas that expel Dampness
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these formulas in cases where dampness obstructs the body's normal functions, necessitating herbs that specifically target and expel dampness.
One such formula is Wei Ling Tang, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize Liver-Spleen
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these formulas when there's an imbalance between the Liver and Spleen systems, often manifesting as digestive disturbances and emotional fluctuations.
One such formula is Xiao Yao San, with bupleurum root as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Gastric Neurosis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address gastric neurosis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Herbs that invigorate the blood
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.
One such herb is Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastric neurosis, like Wei Ling Tang.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness" recommended for gastric neurosis
| Herb | Formulas they belong to (if applicable) |
|---|---|
| Black Atractylodes Rhizomes (Cang Zhu) | Wei Ling Tang | Yue Ju Wan |
| Houpu Magnolia Bark (Hou Pu) | Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang |
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia), a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastric neurosis, like Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang.
Herbs that drain Dampness
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Water Plantain (Ze Xie), a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastric neurosis, like Wei Ling Tang.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastric neurosis, like Xiao Yao San.
Herbs that invigorate the Blood
Gastric neurosis can be treated by these herbs when it stems from stagnation or poor circulation of blood, helping to improve blood flow and alleviate related discomfort.
One such herb is Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong), a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastric neurosis, like Yue Ju Wan.