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.
Feeling of distension 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 feeling of distension 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 feeling of distension is often associated with irritability, depression and mood swings in the pattern “Liver Qi Stagnation”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause feeling of distension.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of feeling of distension we’ve identified three 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 feeling of distension.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause feeling of distension
In Chinese Medicine feeling of distension 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
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 feeling of distension, other symptoms associated with Liver Qi Stagnation include irritability, depression and mood swings.
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".
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the king ingredient for Xiao Yao San, a formula used for Qi Stagnation
Qi Stagnation
Pulse type(s): Tight (Jin), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Thin white coating
Tongue color: Red sides
Qi Stagnation refers to Qi becoming stuck or stagnant, a bit like a traffic jam on the freeway. This restricted flow of Qi can be body-wide or happen in any specific Organ.
In addition to feeling of distension, other symptoms associated with Qi Stagnation include irritability, depression and mood swings.
From a Western Medicine standpoint Qi Stagnation is associated with health issues such as Late Menstruation.
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".
Three herbal formulas that might help with feeling of distension
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 feeling of distension?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which feeling of distension is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Qi Stagnation include irritability, depression and mood swings.
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 feeling of distension?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Qi Stagnation' of which feeling of distension is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Qi Stagnation include irritability, depression and mood swings.
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 feeling of distension?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Liver Qi Stagnation' of which feeling of distension is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Liver Qi Stagnation include irritability, depression and mood swings.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat feeling of distension
Why might White Peony Root (Bai Shao) help with feeling of distension?
Because White Peony Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of distension as a symptom, like Xiao Yao San or Jia Wei Xiao Yao San 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 Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with feeling of distension?
Because Atractylodes Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of distension as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Yue Ju Wan 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 feeling of distension?
Because Dong Quai is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of distension 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 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 Coco-Grass Rhizome (Xiang Fu) help with feeling of distension?
Because Coco-Grass Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of distension as a symptom, like Yue Ju Wan or Chai Hu Shu Gan San for instance.
Coco-Grass Rhizomes is a Neutral herb that tastes Bitter, Pungent and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Liver and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Unblocks Stagnant Liver Qi and relieves pain. Regulates the Liver and Spleen. Assists the regulation of menses and relieves pain.
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with feeling of distension?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat feeling of distension as a symptom, like Jia Wei Xiao Yao San or Yue Ju Wan for instance.
Cape Jasmine Fruits is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Lung and the Sanjiao.
Its main actions are: Clears Heat and calms spirit. Drains Damp-Heat affecting the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears Heat in the Blood and stops bleeding. Anti-inflammatory.
Other symptoms often associated with feeling of distension
Irritability Depression Mood swings Irregular menstruation Menstrual cramps Breast lumps Hypochondriac pain Nausea Vomiting Abdominal pain