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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Vomiting of watery fluids 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 vomiting of watery fluids 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 vomiting of watery fluids is often associated with splashing sound in the stomach, 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 three patterns that can cause vomiting of watery fluids.
Once identified, patterns are treated using medicinal herbs, acupuncture, and other therapies. In the case of vomiting of watery fluids 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 vomiting of watery fluids.
The three "patterns of disharmony" that can cause vomiting of watery fluids
In Chinese Medicine vomiting of watery fluids is a symptom for 3 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 vomiting of watery fluids, other symptoms associated with Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine include splashing sound in the stomach, 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 Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Stomach Deficient and Cold
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
In addition to vomiting of watery fluids, other symptoms associated with Stomach Deficient and Cold include cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and foods and poor appetite.
Stomach Deficient and Cold is often treated with Xiao Jian Zhong Tang, a herbal formula made of 6 herbs (including Maltose - Yi Tang - as a key herb). Xiao Jian Zhong Tang belongs to the category of "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold", which might be why it is often recommended for this pattern. Its main action as a formula is: "Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach)".
The Stomach is a so-called "Fu" Organ. Learn more about the Stomach in Chinese Medicine
Cold invading the Stomach
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Tight (Jin)
The Stomach is one of three Organs which can be directly invaded by Exterior Cold (along with the Large Intestine and Uterus). It is an acute condition caused by exposure to cold from improper dressing and excessive consumption of cold foods and iced drinks.
In addition to vomiting of watery fluids, other symptoms associated with Cold invading the Stomach include cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and foods and feeling of cold.
Cold invading the Stomach is often treated with Liang Fu Wan, a herbal formula made of 2 herbs (including Lesser Galangal Rhizomes - Gao Liang jiang - as a key herb). Liang Fu Wan 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 Middle Burner".
Four herbal formulas that might help with vomiting of watery fluids
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 vomiting of watery fluids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine' of which vomiting of watery fluids is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fluids In The Stomach And Small Intestine include splashing sound in the stomach, feeling of fullness in the chest and loose stools.
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Why might Xiao Jian Zhong Tang help with vomiting of watery fluids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Stomach Deficient and Cold' of which vomiting of watery fluids is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Stomach Deficient And Cold include cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and foods and poor appetite.
Liang Fu Wan
Source date: 1842 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Warms the Middle Burner. Dispels Cold. Promotes the movement of Qi. Alleviates Pain.
Why might Liang Fu Wan help with vomiting of watery fluids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Cold invading the Stomach' of which vomiting of watery fluids is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Cold Invading The Stomach include cold limbs, preference for warm drinks and foods and feeling of cold.
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 vomiting of watery fluids?
Because it is a formula often recommended to treat the pattern 'Phlegm-Fluids In the Stomach and Small intestine' of which vomiting of watery fluids is a symptom.
Other symptoms characteristic of Phlegm-Fluids In The Stomach And Small Intestine include splashing sound in the stomach, feeling of fullness in the chest and loose stools.
The five Chinese Medicinal herbs most likely to help treat vomiting of watery fluids
Why might Liquorice (Gan Cao) help with vomiting of watery fluids?
Because Liquorice is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of watery fluids 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 Baikal Skullcap Root (Huang Qin) help with vomiting of watery fluids?
Because Baikal Skullcap Root is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of watery fluids 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 Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang) help with vomiting of watery fluids?
Because Fresh Ginger is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of watery fluids 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 Ginseng (Ren Shen) help with vomiting of watery fluids?
Because Ginseng is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of watery fluids 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 Jujube Date (Da Zao) help with vomiting of watery fluids?
Because Jujube Date is an ingredient in several formulas indicated to treat vomiting of watery fluids 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 vomiting of watery fluids
Cold limbs Preference for warm drinks and foods Splashing sound in the stomach Feeling of fullness in the chest Loose stools Weight loss Feeling of cold Nausea Feeling worse after drinking cold drinks Poor appetite