Abdominal bloating 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.
abdominal and epigastric fullness, bearing down sensation in abdomen, lower abdominal swelling and tense and firm abdomen redirect here
Abdominal bloating can be the consequence of several so-called “patterns of disharmony” in Chinese Medicine.
Chinese Medicine sees the body as a system, not a sum of isolated parts. A "pattern" is when the system's harmony is disrupted, leading to symptoms or signs that something is wrong (like abdominal bloating here). It is similar to the concept of disease in Western Medicine but not quite: a Western disease can often be explained by several Chinese patterns and vice-versa.
A pattern often manifests itself in a combination of symptoms that, at first glance, do not seem necessarily related to each others. For instance here abdominal bloating is often associated with coughing, chest fullness and shortness of breath in the pattern “Phlegm-Fluids”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause abdominal bloating.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of abdominal bloating we’ve identified five herbal formulas that may help treat patterns behind the symptom.
We’ve also selected below the five medicinal herbs that we think are most likely to help treat abdominal bloating.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause abdominal bloating
In Chinese Medicine abdominal bloating is a symptom for 4 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes (Ban Xia) is the king ingredient for Er Chen Tang, a formula used for Phlegm-Fluids
Phlegm-Fluids
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
In addition to abdominal bloating, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids include coughing, chest fullness and shortness of breath.
Phlegm-Fluids is often treated with Er Chen Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Crow-Dipper Rhizomes - Ban Xia - as a key herb). Er Chen Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that dry dampness and transform phlegm", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Damp and dispels Phlegm".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue color: Pale
Spleen Qi Deficiency is one of the most commonly seen TCM pattern. It is caused by unhealthy diet such as fat raw or cold food, bad eating habit, emotional stress or damp environment. It is the central pattern to all other Spleen disharmonies, because many other Deficiency patterns derive from it.
In addition to abdominal bloating, other symptoms associated with Spleen Qi Deficiency include loose stools, poor appetite and pale face.
Spleen Qi Deficiency is often treated with Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Ginseng - Ren Shen - as a key herb). Si Jun Zi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify qi", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Tonifies Qi".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Slow (Chi)
In addition to abdominal bloating, other symptoms associated with Cold-Damp invading the Spleen include loose stools, poor appetite and edema.
Cold-Damp invading the Spleen is often treated with Ping Wei San, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Black Atractylodes Rhizomes - Cang Zhu - as a key herb). Ping Wei San belongs to the category of "formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dries Dampness".
The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
In addition to abdominal bloating, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat invading the Spleen include poor appetite, feeling of heaviness and feeling of heat.
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen is often treated with Lian Po Yin, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Lian Po Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat".
Five herbal formulas that might help with abdominal bloating
Wu Ling San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes urination,. Warms the Yang. Strengthens the Spleen. Promotes Qi transformation function. Drains Dampness. Clears edema.
Why might Wu Ling San help with abdominal bloating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids' of which abdominal distention and fullness is a symptom.
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 abdominal bloating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which abdominal bloating is a symptom.
Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and transforms Phlegm-Fluids. Strengthens the Spleen. Resolves Dampness.
Why might Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang help with abdominal bloating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids' of which abdominal distention and fullness is a symptom.
Ping Wei San
Source date: 1051 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Dries Dampness. Improves the Spleen's transportive function. Promotes the movement of Qi. Harmonizes the Stomach.
Why might Ping Wei San help with abdominal bloating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold-Damp invading the Spleen' of which abdominal and epigastric fullness is a symptom.
Lian Po Yin
Source date: 1862 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat. Transforms Dampness. Regulates Qi. Harmonizes the Middle Burner.
Why might Lian Po Yin help with abdominal bloating?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat invading the Spleen' of which abdominal and epigastric fullness is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for abdominal bloating
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat abdominal bloating
Why might Goldthread Rhizome (Huang Lian) help with abdominal bloating?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat abdominal bloating and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat abdominal bloating as a symptom (such as Lian Po Yin for instance).
Goldthread Rhizomes is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Liver, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Expels Damp-Heat especially in the Lower Burner. Eliminates Fire toxicity especially when there is associated Dampness. Acts as a sedative by eliminating Heart Fire. Eliminates Stomach Fire. Expel parasites
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with abdominal bloating?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat abdominal bloating as a symptom, like Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang or Er Chen Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Basal Qi and nourishes the Spleen Qi. Clears Heat and dispels toxicity. Moistens the Lungsexpel phlegm and stop coughing. Relieves spasms and alleviates pain. Harmonizes and moderates the effects of other herbs.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with abdominal bloating?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat abdominal bloating as a symptom, like Wu Pi Yin or Ling Gui Zhu Gan Tang for instance.
Poria-Cocos Mushrooms is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Kidney, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination and drains Dampness. Tonic to the Spleen/Stomach. Assists the Heart and calms the Spirit.
Why might Mudan Peony Bark (Mu Dan Pi) help with abdominal bloating?
Because Mudan Peony Bark is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat abdominal bloating as a symptom, like Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan or Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang for instance.
Mudan Peony Bark is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter and Pungent. It targets the Heart, the Kidney and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Cools the Blood, activates Blood circulation and resolves Blood stasis.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with abdominal bloating?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat abdominal bloating as a symptom, like Tao Hong Si Wu Tang or Wen Jing Tang for instance.
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Liver and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood. Lubricates the Intestines. Relieve constipation. Promotes circulation and dispels Bi Pain. Reduce Dysmenorrhea and help with irregular menstruation.
Other symptoms often associated with abdominal bloating
Abdominal pain Dizziness Vomiting Constipation Scanty periods Night sweats Tinnitus Loose stools Loss of appetite Restlessness