Chronic 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.
Chronic gastritis factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Weak voice Loose stools Poor appetite and two other symptoms
Recommended formula: Si Jun Zi Tang
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Focal distention and two other symptoms
Recommended formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang
In Chinese Medicine, chronic gastritis can be associated with twelve 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", as a matter of fact here chronic gastritis can be caused by twelve different patterns.
To understand whether someone's chronic gastritis might be caused by a given pattern, one needs to look for signs and symptoms associated with the pattern beyond what one might typically experience from chronic gastritis alone. For instance when chronic gastritis is caused by the pattern Spleen Qi Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as pale complexion, weak voice, poor appetite and loose stools. Similarly, patients with Spleen Qi Deficiency typically exhibit soggy (Ru) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
We've listed below a description of the twelve patterns associated with chronic gastritis so that you can start to get an understanding of the various possibilities 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 twenty seven formulas that can help treat the various patterns associated with chronic gastritis, depending on which pattern fits your profile.
The twelve "patterns of disharmony" associated with chronic gastritis
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Soggy (Ru), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Si Jun Zi Tang
Symptoms: Weak voice Loose stools Poor appetite Pale complexion Weakness in the limbs
Chronic gastritis might be due to Spleen Qi Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as pale complexion, weak voice, poor appetite and loose stools. Similarly, patients with Spleen Qi Deficiency typically exhibit soggy (Ru) or weak (Ruo) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner
Recommended herbal formula: Liu Jun Zi Tang
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Focal distention Coughing of copious thin and white sputum Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Chronic gastritis might be due to Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium and focal distention.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Yao San
Symptoms: Anemia Vertigo Dizziness Headaches Dry mouth Chest pain Dry throat Leukorrhea Poor appetite Chest fullness Breast distention Irregular menstruation Alternating fever and chills
Chronic gastritis might be due to Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as chest fullness, chest pain, anemia and dizziness. Similarly, patients with Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen typically exhibit empty (Xu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue.
Read more about Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen here
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Recommended herbal formula: Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Symptoms: Belching Flank pain Irritability Suppressed emotions Feelings of frustration Alternating fever and chills Abdominal distention and fullness Stifling sensation in the chest causing one to have deep sighs
Chronic gastritis might be due to Liver Qi Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as flank pain, stifling sensation in the chest causing one to have deep sighs, suppressed emotions and feelings of frustration. Similarly, patients with Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the key herb for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Damp-Cold Phlegm
Damp-Cold Phlegm
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Er Chen Tang
Symptoms: Nausea Vomiting Dizziness Palpitations Focal distention Coughing with copious white sputum Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium
Chronic gastritis might be due to Damp-Cold Phlegm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Damp-Cold Phlegm typically exhibit slippery (Hua) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The Bladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Bladder in Chinese Medicine
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Recommended herbal formula: Wen Dan Tang
Symptoms: Anxiety Palpitations Slight thirst Nausea or vomiting Dizziness or vertigo Bitter taste in the mouth Indeterminate gnawing hunger Focal distention of the chest Coughing of copious thick yellow sputum Dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams
Chronic gastritis might be due to Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as nausea or vomiting, dizziness or vertigo, dream disturbed sleep with strange or unusual dreams and palpitations. Similarly, patients with Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat typically exhibit slippery (Hua) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat here
Atractylodes Rhizomes (Bai Zhu) is the key herb for Yue Ju Wan, a formula used for Qi Stagnation
Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
Recommended herbal formula: Yue Ju Wan
Symptoms: Belching Vomiting Acid reflux Indigestion Poor appetite Fixed pain in the hypochondria Mild coughing with copious sputum Stifling sensation in the chest and abdomen
Chronic gastritis might be due to Qi Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as stifling sensation in the chest and abdomen, fixed pain in the hypochondria, belching and vomiting. Similarly, patients with Qi Stagnation typically exhibit wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a normal (light red) tongue with thin white coating.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Tight (Jin)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Normal (light red), Pale
Recommended herbal formula: Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Symptoms: Coughing Dizziness Headaches Depression Moving pain Listlessness Hypochondrium fullness
Chronic gastritis might be due to Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as coughing, hypochondrium fullness, dizziness and headaches. Similarly, patients with Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation typically exhibit empty (Xu) or tight (Jin) pulses as well as a normal (light red), pale tongue with thin white coating.
Read more about Lung Qi Deficiency and Liver Qi Stagnation here
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Qi Deficiency with Phelgm
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Recommended herbal formula: Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang
Symptoms: Hiccuping Regurgitation Nausea or vomiting Unremitting belching Hard epigastric focal distention
Chronic gastritis might be due to Stomach Qi Deficiency with Phelgm if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as unremitting belching, hiccuping, regurgitation and nausea or vomiting. Similarly, patients with Stomach Qi Deficiency with Phelgm typically exhibit empty (Xu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a tongue with thick white coating.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
Recommended herbal formula: Jin Ling Zi San
Symptoms: Hernial pain Irritability Bitter taste in the mouth Intermittent epigastric pain Painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks
Chronic gastritis might be due to Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as intermittent epigastric pain, hernial pain, painful periods that get worse with hot food or drinks and irritability. Similarly, patients with Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat typically exhibit rapid (Shu) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a red tongue with yellow coating.
Read more about Liver Qi Stagnation that transforms into Heat here
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms (Fu Ling) is the key herb for Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Soggy (Ru), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thick white coating
Tongue color: Pale
Tongue shape: Swollen
Recommended herbal formula: Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Symptoms: Palpitations Dizziness or vertigo
Chronic gastritis might be due to Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as palpitations and dizziness or vertigo. Similarly, patients with Phlegm-Fluids in the hypochondrium typically exhibit slippery (Hua), soggy (Ru) or wiry (Xian) pulses as well as a pale tongue with thick white coating.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Yin Deficiency
Tongue coating: Partial absence of coating
Recommended herbal formula: Yi Wei Tang
The twenty seven herbal formulas that might help with chronic gastritis
Liu Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.
Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with chronic gastritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Spleen Qi Deficiency and Phlegm-Dampness in the Middle-Burner which are sometimes associated with chronic gastritis. If any of these patterns look like something you might suffer from, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Why might Si Jun Zi Tang help with chronic gastritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Spleen Qi Deficiency, a pattern sometimes associated with chronic gastritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Spleen Qi Deficiency, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Xiao Yao San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen. Relieves Liver Qi stagnation. Nourishes the Blood.
Why might Xiao Yao San help with chronic gastritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen, a pattern sometimes associated with chronic gastritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Blood Deficiency with disharmony of Liver and Spleen, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Chai Hu Shu Gan San
Source date: 1602
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood. Alleviates pain. Harmonizes Blood.
Why might Chai Hu Shu Gan San help with chronic gastritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Liver Qi Stagnation, a pattern sometimes associated with chronic gastritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Liver Qi Stagnation, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Er Chen Tang
Source date: 1148 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm. Regulates Qi and harmonizes the Middle Burner (Stomach and Spleen).
Why might Er Chen Tang help with chronic gastritis?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help treat Damp-Cold Phlegm, a pattern sometimes associated with chronic gastritis. If it looks like you might suffer from Damp-Cold Phlegm, this formula might help (although please seek confirmation with a professional practitioner beforehand).
Symptoms related to chronic gastritis
Poor appetite Vomiting Dizziness Palpitations Nausea Stifling sensation in the chest and epigastrium Focal distention Headaches Alternating fever and chills Irritability
