Ulcers 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.
Ulcers factsheet
Possible causes and remedies:
Symptoms: Weak voice Aversion to speak Shortness of breath
Recommended formula: Ba Zhen Tang
In Chinese Medicine, ulcers can be associated with three 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 ulcers can be caused by three different patterns.
To understand whether someone's ulcers 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 ulcers alone. For instance when ulcers is caused by the pattern Lung Qi Deficiency, patients also experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, weak voice and aversion to speak.
We've listed below a description of the three patterns associated with ulcers 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 Ba Zhen Tang, a formula that can help treat the patterns Lung Qi Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency and Qi and Blood Deficiency.
The three "patterns of disharmony" associated with ulcers
The Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine
Lung Qi Deficiency
Recommended herbal formula: Ba Zhen Tang
Symptoms: Weak voice Aversion to speak Shortness of breath
Ulcers might be due to Lung Qi Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as shortness of breath, weak voice and aversion to speak.
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Recommended herbal formula: Ba Zhen Tang
Symptoms: Weak Limbs Poor appetite
Ulcers might be due to Spleen Qi Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as poor appetite and weak limbs.
Ginseng (Ren Shen) is the key herb for Ba Zhen Tang, a formula used for Qi and Blood Deficiency
Qi and Blood Deficiency
Recommended herbal formula: Ba Zhen Tang
Symptoms: Vertigo Pale face Pale lips Pale tongue Palpitations
Ulcers might be due to Qi and Blood Deficiency if the condition is paired with typical pattern symptoms such as palpitations, vertigo, pale face and pale lips.
Ba Zhen Tang, a herbal formula that might help with ulcers
Ba Zhen Tang
Source date: 1326 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies and augments Qi. Tonifies and augments Blood.
Why might Ba Zhen Tang help with ulcers?
Because it is a formula often recommended to help with the patterns Lung Qi Deficiency, Spleen Qi Deficiency and Qi and Blood Deficiency which are sometimes associated with ulcers. 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).
Symptoms related to ulcers
Shortness of breath Weak voice Aversion to speak Poor appetite Weak Limbs Palpitations Vertigo Pale face Pale lips Pale tongue
