Chronic Gastritis and Peptic Ulcers

Chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers are prevalent gastrointestinal issues that can significantly affect an individual's quality of life. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers various approaches to treating these conditions by targeting the root causes and managing symptoms. This article will explore different TCM remedies for common manifestations of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers and provide examples of specific herbal formulas and foods that may help alleviate symptoms.

  1. Stomach Indigestion

Stomach indigestion is characterized by symptoms like abdominal pain or swelling that lessens after a bowel movement, acid swallowing, belching, bad breath, poor appetite, and watery or dry stools. In TCM, promoting digestion and harmonizing the stomach are essential to address these issues. Bao-He-Wan is a popular herbal formula that may help. Foods like asafoetida, buckwheat, castor bean, jellyfish, malt, peach, radish, water chestnut, cardamom seed, cayenne pepper, coriander, grapefruit, jackfruit, sweet basil, tea, and tomato are also recommended.

  1. Liver Energy Offending the Stomach

Symptoms like abdominal rumbling, belching, chest discomfort, hiccups, irregular bowel movements, pain in the inner part of the stomach, painful sensations in the ribs, stomachache worsened by emotional disturbances, and vomiting of acid or blood may indicate liver energy offending the stomach. In this case, dispersing liver energy and harmonizing the stomach is essential. Si-Ni-San is a commonly used herbal formula, and foods like carp, celery, corn silk, brown sugar, sweet orange, kumquat, barley, peanut, red and black date, chestnut, and white fungus may be beneficial.

  1. Stomach Yin Deficiency

Stomach yin deficiency can manifest as burning pain in the stomach, constipation, dry cough, dry lips, dry mouth with a craving for drinks, dysphagia, hiccups, hot sensations in the limbs, indigestion, insomnia, light fever, low appetite, palpitations, stomachache worsened by an empty stomach, and vomiting. To address this, strengthening the stomach and toning the stomach yin energy is crucial. Mai-Men-Dong-Tang is a popular herbal formula for this purpose. Foods like alfalfa, ginseng leaf, bird's nest, cheese, kidney bean, abalone, asparagus, chicken egg, cuttlefish, duck, duck egg, white fungus, oyster, pork, and royal jelly may help.

  1. Spleen-Stomach Yang Deficiency

Symptoms of spleen-stomach yang deficiency include abdominal pain, cold limbs, diarrhea, fatigue, intermittent hiccups with a low sound, preference for warmth and massage, pain that worsens with fatigue and hunger, pain that improves with rest and eating, poor appetite, shortness of breath, stomachache with dull pain, upset stomach, vomiting of undigested foods, acid or clear water, water noise in the stomach, and a withered, yellowish complexion. Strengthening the spleen and stomach and warming the middle region to expel cold are the primary goals. Li-Zhong-Tang is a well-known herbal formula for this issue. Foods like shark air bladder, chicken, cayenne pepper, fennel, nutmeg, black and white pepper, prickly ash, mutton, sword bean, mustard, cardamom seed, carp, cinnamon, garlic, and beef may be helpful.

  1. Stomach Blood-Coagulation

Stomach blood-coagulation can present with symptoms like a feeling of emptiness and sickness in the abdomen, pain worsened by massage, pain in the inner part of the stomach with pricking sensations and swelling, pain that is acute after meals with an aversion to massage, pain in a fixed region without shifting, and vomiting of blood. The primary goals of treatment are to activate the blood, transform blood coagulations, harmonize the stomach, and relieve pain. Jia-Wei-Shi-Xiao-San is a well-known herbal formula for this condition. Foods like saffron, ambergris, brown sugar, chestnut, eggplant, peach, black soybean, sturgeon, sweet basil, crab, distillers' grains, and papaya may help.

Conclusion

Traditional Chinese Medicine offers a holistic approach to managing chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers by addressing the root causes and providing relief from symptoms. With various herbal formulas and foods tailored to different presentations of these conditions, TCM may be a valuable complementary or alternative treatment option. It is important to consult with a qualified TCM practitioner to determine the best course of action for your specific needs and to ensure a safe and effective treatment plan.