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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Splashing sound in the stomach 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 splashing sound in the stomach 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 splashing sound in the stomach is often associated with vomiting of watery fluids, feeling of fullness in the chest and loose stools in the pattern “Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause splashing sound in the stomach.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of splashing sound in the stomach 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 splashing sound in the stomach.
The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause splashing sound in the stomach
In Chinese Medicine splashing sound in the stomach 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 Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slippery (Hua), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Sticky coating
Tongue shape: Swollen
When the transportative and transformative functions of the Middle-Burner are damaged (often by Cold), Phlegm-Fluids accumulate in the Stomach and epigastric area. This leads to the symptoms such as the vomiting of watery fluids or splashing sounds in the stomach.
In addition to splashing sound in the stomach, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine include vomiting of watery fluids, feeling of fullness in the chest and loose stools.
Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine 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)".
Read more about Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine here
The Triple Burner is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Triple Burner in Chinese Medicine
Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner
Pulse type(s): Rapid (Shu), Wiry (Xian)
Tongue coating: Yellow coating
Tongue color: Red tip
In addition to splashing sound in the stomach, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner include abdominal fullness and poor appetite.
Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner is often treated with Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, a herbal formula made of 7 herbs (including Goldthread Rhizomes - Huang Lian - as a key herb). Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that harmonize stomach-intestines", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Reverses the flow of Rebellious Stomach Qi".
Two herbal formulas that might help with splashing sound in the stomach
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 splashing sound in the stomach?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine' of which splashing sound in the stomach is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fluids In The Stomach And Small Intestine include vomiting of watery fluids, feeling of fullness in the chest and loose stools.
Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Reverses the flow of Rebellious Stomach Qi. Relieves both Heat and Cold Stagnation in the gastrointestinal tract.
Why might Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang help with splashing sound in the stomach?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Heat in the Middle Burner' of which splashing sound in the stomach is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Heat In The Middle Burner include abdominal fullness and poor appetite.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat splashing sound in the stomach
Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with splashing sound in the stomach?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat splashing sound in the stomach as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang for instance.
Ginseng is a Warm herb that tastes Bitter and Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with splashing sound in the stomach?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat splashing sound in the stomach as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang for instance.
Fresh Ginger is a Warm herb that tastes Pungent. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach and the Lung.
Its main actions are: Relieves the Exterior and disperses Cold. Warms and circulates Qi in the Middle Burner. Calms a restless fetus and treats morning sickness. Treats seafood poisoning.
Why might Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with splashing sound in the stomach?
Because Baikal Skullcap Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat splashing sound in the stomach as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang for instance.
Baikal Skullcap Roots is a Cold herb that tastes Bitter. It targets the Gallbladder, the Spleen, the Heart, the Large intestine, the Lung and the Small intestine.
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 Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with splashing sound in the stomach?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat splashing sound in the stomach as a symptom, like Xiao Chai Hu Tang or Xuan Fu Dai Zhe Tang for instance.
Liquorice is a Neutral herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen, the Stomach, the Heart and the Lung.
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 Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with splashing sound in the stomach?
Because Jujube Date is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat splashing sound in the stomach as a symptom, like Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang or Xiao Chai Hu Tang for instance.
Jujube Dates is a Warm herb that tastes Sweet. It targets the Spleen and the Stomach.
Its main actions are: Tonifies the Spleen and Stomach Qi. Tonifies the Blood. Calms the Shen (spirit). Moderates the actions of other herbs in formula.
Other symptoms often associated with splashing sound in the stomach
Vomiting of watery fluids Feeling of fullness in the chest Loose stools Weight loss Abdominal fullness Poor appetite