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.
Dislike of pressure on epigastric area 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 dislike of pressure on epigastric area 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 dislike of pressure on epigastric area is often associated with bloody stools in the pattern “Stomach Blood Stagnation”.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of dislike of pressure on epigastric area we’ve identified two 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 dislike of pressure on epigastric area.
In Chinese Medicine dislike of pressure on epigastric area is a symptom for the pattern "Stomach Blood Stagnation". Below is a small explanation for it with links for more details.
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue color: Bluish-Purple
In addition to dislike of pressure on epigastric area, other symptoms associated with Stomach Blood Stagnation include bloody stools.
Stomach Blood Stagnation is often treated with Shi Xiao San, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Cattail Pollen - Pu Huang - as a key herb). Shi Xiao San 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: "Invigorates Blood".
The top herbs in Shi Xiao San are Cattail Pollen (Pu Huang) and Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi)
Source date: 1108 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Dispels Blood Stagnation. Eases pain.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' of which dislike of pressure on epigastric area is a symptom.
The top herbs in Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang are Szechuan Lovage Roots (Chuan Xiong), Safflowers (Hong Hua) and Peach Kernels (Tao Ren)
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm. Stops pain. Promotes Qi movement.
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Blood Stagnation' of which dislike of pressure on epigastric area is a symptom.
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dislike of pressure on epigastric area as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Xue Fu Zhu Yu 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.
Because Flying Squirrel Faeces is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dislike of pressure on epigastric area as a symptom, like Shi Xiao San or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Flying Squirrel Faeces is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Disperses congealed Blood in the lower abdomen and uterus and relieves pain. Promotes childhood nutrition with Cold Stagnation and focal abdominal swelling.
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dislike of pressure on epigastric area as a symptom, like Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang or Xue Fu Zhu Yu 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.
Because Peach Kernel is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dislike of pressure on epigastric area as a symptom, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu 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.
Because Red Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat dislike of pressure on epigastric area as a symptom, like Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang or Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang for instance.
Red Peony Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Blood, relieves pain and reduces swelling. Cools the Blood and the Liver.