Ulcers according to Chinese Medicine

deep-rooted ulcers and nonhealing ulcers redirect here

Ulcers 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 ulcers 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 ulcers is often associated with shortness of breath, weak voice and aversion to speak in the pattern “Lung Qi Deficiency”. As you will see below, we have in record two patterns that can cause ulcers.

Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of ulcers 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 ulcers.

The two "patterns of disharmony" that can cause ulcers

In Chinese Medicine ulcers 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 Lungs is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Lungs in Chinese Medicine

Lung Qi Deficiency

Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)

Tongue color: Pale

The Lungs govern Qi and respiration. In case of Lung Qi Deficiency, Qi's protecting, dispersing and descending function can not be performed properly.

In addition to ulcers, other symptoms associated with Lung Qi Deficiency include shortness of breath, weak voice and aversion to speak.

Lung 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".

Read more about Lung Qi Deficiency here

The Spleen is a so-called "Zang" Organ. Learn more about the Spleen in Chinese Medicine

Spleen Qi Deficiency

Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)

Tongue color: Pale

Spleen Qi Deficiency is one of the most commonly seen TCM pattern. It is caused by unhealthy diet such as fat raw or cold food, bad eating habit, emotional stress or damp environment. It is the central pattern to all other Spleen disharmonies, because many other Deficiency patterns derive from it.

In addition to ulcers, other symptoms associated with Spleen Qi Deficiency include poor appetite, fatigue and weak voice.

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".

Read more about Spleen Qi Deficiency here

Five herbal formulas that might help with ulcers

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 ulcers?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which ulcers is a symptom.

Read more about Si Jun Zi Tang here

Jiu Xian San

Source date: Yuan dynasty

Number of ingredients: 9 herbs

Key actions: Secures the Lungs. Stops coughing. Augments Qi . Nourishes Yin.

Why might Jiu Xian San help with ulcers?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which ulcers is a symptom.

Read more about Jiu Xian San here

Bu Fei Tang

Source date: 1331 AD

Number of ingredients: 6 herbs

Key actions: Augments the Qi. Stabilizes the Exterior.

Why might Bu Fei Tang help with ulcers?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which ulcers is a symptom.

Read more about Bu Fei Tang here

Ren Shen Ge Jie San

Source date: 1047 AD

Number of ingredients: 8 herbs

Key actions: Tonifies the Qi. Augments the Kidneys. Stops coughing. Arrests wheezing.

Why might Ren Shen Ge Jie San help with ulcers?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' of which ulcers is a symptom.

Read more about Ren Shen Ge Jie San here

Liu Jun Zi Tang

Source date: 1107

Number of ingredients: 6 herbs

Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach. Clears Phlegm and mucus. Promotes appetite.

Why might Liu Jun Zi Tang help with ulcers?

Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Spleen Qi Deficiency' of which ulcers is a symptom.

Read more about Liu Jun Zi Tang here

Acupuncture points used for ulcers

The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat ulcers

Why might Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with ulcers?

Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with ulcers as a symptom)

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).

Read more about Ginseng here

Why might Atractylodes Rhizome (Bai Zhu) help with ulcers?

Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with ulcers as a symptom)

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.

Read more about Atractylodes Rhizomes here

Why might Poria-Cocos Mushroom (Fu Ling) help with ulcers?

Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with ulcers as a symptom)

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.

Read more about Poria-Cocos Mushrooms here

Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with ulcers?

Because it is a key herb in Si Jun Zi Tang, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with ulcers as a symptom)

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.

Read more about Liquorice here

Why might Poppy Capsule (Ying Su Ke) help with ulcers?

Because it is a key herb in Jiu Xian San, a herbal formula indicated to treat the pattern 'Lung Qi Deficiency' (a pattern with ulcers as a symptom)

Poppy Capsules is a Neutral herb that tastes Pungent and Sour. It targets the Kidney, the Large intestine and the Lung.

Its main actions are: Astringes the Lungs, Astringes the Intestines. Stops pain.

Read more about Poppy Capsules here