Epigastrium discomfort 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.
Epigastrium discomfort 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 epigastrium discomfort 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 epigastrium discomfort is often associated with poor appetite, weak limbs and loose stools in the pattern “Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause epigastrium discomfort.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of epigastrium discomfort we’ve identified four 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 epigastrium discomfort.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause epigastrium discomfort
In Chinese Medicine epigastrium discomfort 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 Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine
Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
In addition to epigastrium discomfort, other symptoms associated with Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, weak limbs and loose stools.
Stomach and 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".
Honeysuckle Flowers (Jin Yin Hua) is the king ingredient for Qing Luo Yin, a formula used for Summer-Heat
Summer-Heat
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Soggy (Ru)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
In addition to epigastrium discomfort, other symptoms associated with Summer-Heat include fever, aversion to cold and headaches.
Summer-Heat is often treated with Qing Luo Yin, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Honeysuckle Flowers - Jin Yin Hua - as a key herb). Qing Luo Yin belongs to the category of "formulas that dispel summer-heat and clear heat", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Resolves Summer-Heat".
Four herbal formulas that might help with epigastrium discomfort
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 epigastrium discomfort?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which epigastrium discomfort is a symptom.
Shen Ling Bai Zhu San
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Augments the Qi. Strengthens the Spleen. Leaches out Dampness. Stops diarrhea.
Why might Shen Ling Bai Zhu San help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which epigastrium discomfort is a symptom.
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Source date: 1247 AD
Number of ingredients: 16 herbs
Key actions: Strengthens the Spleen. Augments the Qi. Raises the Yang. Releases Dampness.
Why might Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which epigastrium discomfort is a symptom.
Qing Luo Yin
Source date: 1798
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Resolves Summer-Heat. Clears the Lungs.
Why might Qing Luo Yin help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Summer-Heat' of which uncomfortable sensation in the epigastrium is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for epigastrium discomfort
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat epigastrium discomfort
Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because Poria-Cocos Mushroom is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat epigastrium discomfort as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu 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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat epigastrium discomfort as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu 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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat epigastrium discomfort as a symptom, like Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang or Si Jun Zi 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat epigastrium discomfort as a symptom, like Si Jun Zi Tang or Shen Ling Bai Zhu San for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Heart, the Lung and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Very strongly tonifies the Qi. Tonifies the Lungs and Spleen. Assists the body in the secretion of Fluids and stops thirst. Strengthens the Heart and calms the Shen (mind/spirit).
Why might Talc (Hua Shi) help with epigastrium discomfort?
Because it is a key herb in Liu Yi San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Summer-Heat' (a pattern with epigastrium discomfort as a symptom)
Talc is a Cold herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Bladder and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Encourages urination. Expels Damp-Heat from the Urinary Bladder. Dispels Summer Heat. Dries Dampness when applied topically.
Other symptoms often associated with epigastrium discomfort
Poor appetite Weak Limbs Loose stools Tiredness Lassitude Pale complexion Dry mouth Dry stools Dry lips Nausea