Churning feeling in the stomach 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.
Churning feeling in the stomach 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 churning feeling in the stomach 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 churning feeling in the stomach is often associated with irritability, hypochondrial distention and epigastric distension in the pattern “Rebellious Liver Qi”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause churning feeling in the stomach.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of churning feeling in the stomach 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 churning feeling in the stomach.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause churning feeling in the stomach
In Chinese Medicine churning feeling in the stomach is a symptom for 2 patterns that we have on record. Below is a small explanation for each of them with links for more details.
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Rebellious Liver Qi
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
In addition to churning feeling in the stomach, other symptoms associated with Rebellious Liver Qi include irritability, hypochondrial distention and epigastric distension.
Rebellious Liver Qi is often treated with Chai Hu Shu Gan San, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Chai Hu Shu Gan San belongs to the category of "formulas that promote qi movement", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Disperses Stagnant Liver Qi and Blood".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Liver Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Normal (light red)
When Liver Qi does not flow smoothly or regularly, it becomes Stagnant and in Excess. This leads to Heat accumulating in the Liver. The feeling of ‘Distension’ (zhang 胀) is the main symptom of Liver Qi Stagnation.
In addition to churning feeling in the stomach, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include irritability, menstrual cramps and feeling of distension.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Liver Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Low Breast Milk Supply, Mastitis or Breast Engorgement.
Liver Qi Stagnation is often treated with Xiao Yao San, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Yao San belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize liver-spleen", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Harmonizes the function of Liver and Spleen".
Five herbal formulas that might help with churning feeling in the stomach
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 churning feeling in the stomach?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Rebellious Liver Qi' of which churning feeling in the stomach is a symptom.
Si Ni San
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Regulates Liver and Spleen. Eliminates Internal Heat.
Why might Si Ni San help with churning feeling in the stomach?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Rebellious Liver Qi' of which churning feeling in the stomach is a symptom.
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 churning feeling in the stomach?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which churning feeling in the stomach is a symptom.
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 churning feeling in the stomach?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which churning feeling in the stomach is a symptom.
Yue Ju Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Promotes the movement of Qi. Releases all types of Stagnation (Qi, Blood, Phlegm, Fire, Food and Dampness).
Why might Yue Ju Wan help with churning feeling in the stomach?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which churning feeling in the stomach is a symptom.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat churning feeling in the stomach
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with churning feeling in the stomach?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat churning feeling in the stomach as a symptom, like Si Ni San or Xiao Yao San for instance.
White Peony Roots is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter and Sour. It targets the Liver and the Spleen.
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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with churning feeling in the stomach?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat churning feeling in the stomach as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Xiao Yao San for instance.
Atractylodes Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen Qi. Fortifies the Spleen Yang and dispels Damp through urination. Tonifies Qi and stops sweating. Calms restless fetus when due to Deficiency of Spleen Qi.
Why might Dong Quai (Dang Gui) help with churning feeling in the stomach?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat churning feeling in the stomach as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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.
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with churning feeling in the stomach?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat churning feeling in the stomach as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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 Coco-Grass Rhizome (Xiang Fu) help with churning feeling in the stomach?
Because Coco-Grass Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat churning feeling in the stomach as a symptom, like Chai Hu Shu Gan San or Yue Ju Wan for instance.
Coco-Grass Rhizomes is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Liver, the Sanjiao and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain.
Other symptoms often associated with churning feeling in the stomach
Irritability Menstrual cramps Feeling of distension Breast lumps Hypochondriac pain Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain Poor appetite Diarrhea