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.
Stomach Blood Stagnation, a "pattern of disharmony" that can cause 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
Stomach Blood Stagnation
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".
Two herbal formulas that might help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area
Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 12 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates Blood. Eliminates Blood Stagnation below the diaphragm. Stops pain. Promotes Qi movement.
Why might Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area?
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.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Blood Stagnation include bloody stools.
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 1830 AD
Number of ingredients: 11 herbs
Key actions: Invigorates the Blood. Dispels blood Stagnation. Spreads the Liver Qi. Unblocks the channels.
Why might Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area?
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.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Blood Stagnation include bloody stools.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat dislike of pressure on epigastric area
Why might Bitter Orange (Zhi Ke) help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area?
Because Bitter Orange 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.
Bitter Oranges is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sour. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: To regulate the flow of Qi, remove its stagnation, and alleviate distension.
Why might Flying Squirrel Faeces (Wu Ling Zhi) help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area?
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.
Why might Peach Kernel (Tao Ren) help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area?
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.
Why might Szechuan Lovage Root (Chuan Xiong) help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area?
Because Szechuan Lovage Root 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.
Szechuan Lovage Roots is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Gallbladder, the Liver and the Pericardium.
Its main actions are: Regulates and moves the Blood. Relieves Wind-Cold and pain. Circulates the Qi in the Upper Burner, relieving headaches.
Why might Safflower (Hong Hua) help with dislike of pressure on epigastric area?
Because Safflower 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.
Safflowers is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Heart and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Moves Stagnant Blood and regulates menses. Relieves pain caused by Blood Stasis.