Hypochondrium fullness 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.
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Hypochondrium fullness 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 hypochondrium fullness 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 hypochondrium fullness is often associated with jaundice, bitter taste in the mouth and feeling of heaviness in the pattern “Damp-Heat in the Liver”. As you will see below, we have in record four patterns that can cause hypochondrium fullness.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of hypochondrium fullness 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 hypochondrium fullness.
The four "patterns of disharmony" that can cause hypochondrium fullness
In Chinese Medicine hypochondrium fullness is a symptom for 4 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
Damp-Heat in the Liver
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating, Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red
This pattern is caused by excessive Heat in the Liver and Dampness due to Spleen Deficiency. Dampness can cause the formation of Phlegm. Patients often have a feeling of fullness. It is often caused by bad diet and lifestyle, hot and damp environment and emotional stress such as anger.
In addition to hypochondrium fullness, other symptoms associated with Damp-Heat in the Liver include jaundice, bitter taste in the mouth and feeling of heaviness.
Damp-Heat in the Liver is often treated with Long Dan Xie Gan Tang, a herbal formula made of 10 herbs (including Chinese Gentian - Long Dan Cao - as a key herb). Long Dan Xie Gan Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat from the organs", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder".
The Gallbladder is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Gallbladder in Chinese Medicine
Dampness in the Gallbladder
Pulse type(s): Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to hypochondrium fullness, other symptoms associated with Dampness in the Gallbladder include jaundice, feeling of heaviness and dull-yellow complexion.
Dampness in the Gallbladder is often treated with San Ren Tang, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Apricot Seeds - Xing Ren - as a key herb). San Ren Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Clears Damp-Heat".
Bupleurum Roots (Chai Hu) is the king ingredient for Xiao Chai Hu Tang, a formula used for Lesser Yang stage
Lesser Yang stage
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian), Fine (Xi)
In addition to hypochondrium fullness, other symptoms associated with Lesser Yang stage include bitter taste in the mouth, alternating fever and chills and dry throat.
Lesser Yang stage is often treated with Xiao Chai Hu Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Bupleurum Roots - Chai Hu - as a key herb). Xiao Chai Hu Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize lesser yang-warp disorders", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer)".
The Liver is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Liver in Chinese Medicine
Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Wiry (Xian)
In addition to hypochondrium fullness, other symptoms associated with Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel include testicular pain, contraction of the scrotum and feeling of cold.
Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel is often treated with Nuan Gan Jian, a herbal formula made of 8 herbs (including Fennel Seeds - Xiao Hui Xiang - as a key herb). Nuan Gan Jian 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: "Warms the Liver and Kidneys".
Read more about Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel here
Five herbal formulas that might help with hypochondrium fullness
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Source date: 1682 AD
Number of ingredients: 10 herbs
Key actions: Clears Heat and Fire from the Liver and Gallbladder. Clears and drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Burner.
Why might Long Dan Xie Gan Tang help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver' of which hypochondrium fullness is a symptom.
Yin Chen Hao Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 3 herbs
Key actions: Clears heat. Resolves dampness. Reduces jaundice.
Why might Yin Chen Hao Tang help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Damp-Heat in the Liver' of which hypochondrium fullness is a symptom.
San Ren Tang
Source date: 1798 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Clears Damp-Heat. Disseminates the Qi. Facilitates the Qi mechanisms.
Why might San Ren Tang help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Dampness in the Gallbladder' of which hypochondrium fullness is a symptom.
Xiao Chai Hu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Treats the Lesser Yang Channels (Gallbladder and Triple Warmer). Regulates the Liver and Spleen functions. Addresses combined Yin-Yang symptoms of External and Internal, Excess and Deficiency, and Hot and Cold.
Why might Xiao Chai Hu Tang help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lesser Yang stage' of which hypochondrium fullness is a symptom.
Nuan Gan Jian
Source date: 1624 AD
Number of ingredients: 8 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Liver and Kidneys. Promotes the movement of Qi. Alleviates pain.
Why might Nuan Gan Jian help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stagnation of Cold in the Liver Channel' of which hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth is a symptom.
Acupuncture points used for hypochondrium fullness
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat hypochondrium fullness
Why might Crow-Dipper Rhizome (Ban Xia) help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because Crow-Dipper Rhizome is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hypochondrium fullness as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or San Ren Tang for instance.
Crow-Dipper Rhizomes is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Lung, the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Drains Dampness and reduces Phlegm. Reverses the flow of Rebellious Qi. Reduces hardenings and relieves distention.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because Baikal Skullcap Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hypochondrium fullness as a symptom, like Long Dan Xie Gan Tang or Xiao Chai Hu Tang for instance.
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung, the Small intestine and the Spleen.
Its main actions are: Expels Heat and Dampness. Clears Upper Burner Heat, especially of the Lung. Clears Heat and stops reckless movement of Blood. Clears pathogenic Heat which is upsetting the fetus. Cools the Liver, reducing Liver Yang rising syndrome.
Why might Cape Jasmine Fruit (Zhi Zi) help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because Cape Jasmine Fruit is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hypochondrium fullness as a symptom, like Yin Chen Hao Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang 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.
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hypochondrium fullness as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan 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 Bupleurum Root (Chai Hu) help with hypochondrium fullness?
Because Bupleurum Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat hypochondrium fullness as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Long Dan Xie Gan Tang for instance.
Bupleurum Roots is a Cool herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder and the Liver.
Its main actions are: Harmonizes exterior and interior. Smoothes the Liver and upraises the Yang.
Other symptoms often associated with hypochondrium fullness
Jaundice Bitter taste in the mouth Feeling of heaviness Menstrual cramps Irregular menstruation Fever Vomiting Abdominal fullness Poor appetite Nausea