Biliary reflux gastritis according to Chinese Medicine
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
In Chinese Medicine, biliary reflux gastritis is sometimes associated with Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, a so-called "patterns of disharmony". Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted. It is not equivalent to the Western concept of "disease" because both concepts arise from totally different ways of seeing the human body.
To understand whether someone's biliary reflux gastritis might be caused by the pattern Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from biliary reflux gastritis alone. Indeed if biliary reflux gastritis is caused by Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, patients also experience symptoms such as constipation, bitter taste in the mouth, coughing of copious thick yellow sputum and chest pain. Similarly, patients with Phlegm Heat in the Lungs typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, yellow coating.
We've listed below a more detailed description of Phlegm Heat in the Lungs so that you can have a better understanding of where biliary reflux gastritis might find its root according to Chinese Medicine.
Once identified, patterns are often treated using herbal formulas. Drinking herbal infusions is the most common remedy in Chinese Medicine, together with acupuncture. Here we detail below Xiao Xian Xiong Tang, a formula that can help treat Phlegm Heat in the Lungs.
Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, a "pattern of disharmony" associated with biliary reflux gastritis
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm Heat in the Lungs
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Symptoms: Clump Phlegm Chest pain Constipation Epigastric pain Clumping in the chest Bitter taste in the mouth Epigastric focal distention Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum
Biliary reflux gastritis might be due to Phlegm Heat in the Lungs if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as constipation, bitter taste in the mouth, coughing of copious thick yellow sputum and chest pain. Similarly, patients with Phlegm Heat in the Lungs typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with sticky coating, yellow coating.
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang, a herbal formula that might help with biliary reflux gastritis
Xiao Xian Xiong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Phlegm. Expands the chest. Dissipates clumps.
Why might Xiao Xian Xiong Tang help with biliary reflux gastritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, a pattern sometimes associated with biliary reflux gastritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Phlegm Heat in the Lungs, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to biliary reflux gastritis
Constipation Bitter taste in the mouth Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Chest pain Focal distention of the chest Epigastric pain Epigastric focal distention Phlegm Clump Clumping in the chest
