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 pain 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 pain 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 pain is often associated with scanty periods, dark clots in menstrual blood and painful period in the pattern “Blood Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record five patterns that can cause abdominal pain.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of abdominal pain 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 pain.
The five "patterns of disharmony" that can cause abdominal pain
In Chinese Medicine abdominal pain is a symptom for 5 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
Peach Kernels (Tao Ren) is the king ingredient for Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a formula used for Blood Stagnation
Blood Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Wiry (Xian), Firm (Lao)
Tongue color: Reddish-Purple
Blood Stagnation, like the name indicates, is when Blood flow becomes Stagnant. It can happen in the whole body or in specific Organs.
It is one of the most important diagnostic conditions in Chinese Medicine because it is frequently the cause of intractable pain syndromes anywhere in the body.
In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms associated with Blood Stagnation include scanty periods, dark clots in menstrual blood and painful period.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Scanty Menstruation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
Blood Stagnation is often treated with Tao He Cheng Qi Tang, a herbal formula made of 5 herbs (including Peach Kernels - Tao Ren - as a key herb). Tao He Cheng Qi Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that invigorate blood and dispel blood stagnation", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Dispels Heat and".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Red points on the sides
This pattern develops from Liver Qi Stagnation, which creates excessive amount of Heat and then turn into Liver Fire. The Heat is more intense here.
In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms associated with Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire include dizziness, irregular menstruation and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps or Spontaneous Flow Of Breast Milk.
Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire is often treated with Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Mudan Peony Bark - Mu Dan Pi - as a key herb). Dan Zhi Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that clear liver-heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Liver Fire from Stagnant Liver Qi".
Prepared Rehmannia (Shu Di huang) is the king ingredient for Si Wu Tang, a formula used for Blood Deficiency
Blood Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Choppy (Se), Fine (Xi)
Tongue color: Pale
Someone has a Deficiency of Blood when their entire body, a part of body or a particular Organ is insufficiently nourished by Blood.
This can be caused by blood-loss, a lack of of Spleen Qi (responsible to produce Blood) or congealed Blood which prevents new Blood from forming.
In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms associated with Blood Deficiency include dizziness, scanty periods and depression.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Blood Deficiency is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation or Scanty Menstruation.
Blood Deficiency is often treated with Si Wu Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Prepared Rehmannia - Shu Di huang - as a key herb). Si Wu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that tonify blood", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Restores and nourishes Blood".
Water Buffalo Horns (Shui Niu Jiao) is the king ingredient for Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a formula used for Heat in the Blood
Heat in the Blood
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu)
Tongue color: Red
Heat in the Blood (or Blood-Heat) refers to a condition whereby Heat, as a so-called "Pernicious Influence", entered the Blood. This invasion tends to accelerate Blood flow (leading to a faster pulse) and to manifest itself in various types of bleeding as well as other symptoms.
In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms associated with Heat in the Blood include dizziness, scanty periods and constipation.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Heat in the Blood is associated with health issues such as Early Menstruation, Abnormal Uterine Bleeding or Heavy Menstruation.
Heat in the Blood is often treated with Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang, a herbal formula made of 4 herbs (including Water Buffalo Horns - Shui Niu Jiao - as a key herb). Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear nutritive-level heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats severe fevers and Heat in the Blood system".
Phellodendron Bark (Huang Bo) is the king ingredient for Er Miao San, a formula used for Damp-Heat
Damp-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Slippery (Hua)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
In addition to abdominal pain, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat include dizziness, irregular menstruation and fatigue.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Damp-Heat is associated with health issues such as Menstrual Cramps, Intermenstrual Bleeding or Abnormal Vaginal Discharge.
Damp-Heat is often treated with Er Miao San, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Phellodendron Bark - Huang Bo - as a key herb). Er Miao San belongs to the category of "formulas that expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Expels Dampness from the Lower Burner".
Five herbal formulas that might help with abdominal pain
Zhu Yu Zhi Xue Tang
Why might Zhu Yu Zhi Xue Tang help with abdominal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Stagnation' of which abdominal pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Stagnation can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang
Source date: 1826 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Pacifies the Liver. Removes Stagnation. Drains Fire. Unblocks the Meridians.
Why might Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang help with abdominal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire' of which abdominal pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Stagnant Liver-Qi turning into Fire can contribute to many health issues, including Menstrual Cramps.
Si Wu Tang
Source date: 846 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Restores and nourishes Blood. Stimulates Blood circulation.
Why might Si Wu Tang help with abdominal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Blood Deficiency' of which abdominal pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Blood Deficiency can contribute to many health issues, including Scanty Menstruation.
Jia Wei Xiao Yao San
Source date: Ming dynasty
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver and Spleen Qi Stagnation. Tonifies Spleen. Clears Deficient Heat. Nourishes the blood.
Why might Jia Wei Xiao Yao San help with abdominal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Heat in the Blood' of which abdominal pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Heat in the Blood can contribute to many health issues, including Heavy Menstruation.
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 abdominal pain?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat' of which abdominal pain is a symptom.
According to Chinese Medicine, Damp-Heat can contribute to many health issues, including Intermenstrual Bleeding.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat abdominal pain
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with abdominal pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat abdominal pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat abdominal pain as a symptom (such as Zhu Yu Zhi Xue Tang for instance).
Dong Quai is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Liver.
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.
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with abdominal pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat abdominal pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat abdominal pain as a symptom (such as Xuan Yu Tong Jing Tang for instance).
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Blood and preserves the Yin. Nourishes the Liver and assists in the smooth flow of Qi. Regulates the meridians and eases the pain.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with abdominal pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat abdominal pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat abdominal pain as a symptom (such as Jia Wei Xiao Yao San for instance).
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with abdominal pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat abdominal pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat abdominal pain as a symptom (such as Tao Hong Si Wu Tang for instance).
Peach Kernels is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Large intestine and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood and breaks up Stasis. Moistens the Intestines. Relieves coughing.
Why might Cinnamon Twig (Gui Zhi) help with abdominal pain?
Because it is both specifically indicated to treat abdominal pain and also because it is an ingredient in herbal formulas known to treat abdominal pain as a symptom (such as Wen Jing Tang for instance).
Cinnamon Twigs is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Adjusts the nutritive Ying and defensive Wei Qi. Relieves the Exterior through sweating. Warms and disperses Cold. Removes obstruction of Yang. Promotes the circulation of Yang Qi in the chest. Regulates and moves blood.
Conditions associated with abdominal pain
Scanty menstruation Heavy menstruation Intermenstrual bleeding Menstrual cramps Early menstruation Late menstruation Absence of menstruation Menopausal syndrome Prolonged periods Abnormal vaginal discharge
Other symptoms often associated with abdominal pain
Dizziness Vomiting Diarrhea Scanty periods Irregular menstruation Abdominal bloating Depression Amenorrhea Constipation Loss of appetite