Acute Gastritisaccording to TCM
Symptom family: Gastritis Variants
Parent symptom: Gastritis
What is Acute Gastritis?
Acute gastritis is a sudden inflammation of the stomach lining that can cause significant discomfort and a range of symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and a burning sensation in the stomach. This condition can result from various factors, including infections, stress, injury, or the use of certain medications. Acute gastritis is marked by its rapid onset and, while often painful, is typically treatable and can be managed effectively with the right medical intervention. Understanding the underlying cause is essential for targeted treatment to alleviate symptoms and promote healing of the stomach lining.
How does TCM view Acute Gastritis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) interprets acute gastritis through the prism of energy imbalances and disruptions to the body's natural harmony. TCM identifies several patterns of disharmony that could manifest as acute gastritis, such as the invasion of Stomach by Cold, Heat accumulation, or Phlegm.
In TCM, the focus is on identifying the root cause of symptoms, emphasizing that effective treatment must address these underlying imbalances. By restoring equilibrium through a combination of herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments, TCM seeks to relieve the symptoms of acute gastritis and strengthen the body's resilience.
Causes of Acute Gastritis According to TCM
In the TCM framework, acute gastritis can arise from several distinct patterns of disharmony, such as the Heat in the Stomach and Cold invading the Stomach. Heat accumulation in the Stomach often leads to symptoms such as burning sensations, intense thirst, and dry stools, reflecting an excess condition that requires cooling and clearing treatment.
Conversely, Cold invading the Stomach might present as sharp pain alleviated by warmth, a preference for hot drinks, and vomiting clear fluids, indicating a Deficiency that needs warming and tonifying. These examples illustrate TCM's nuanced approach to diagnosing and treating acute gastritis, tailored to the specific pattern of imbalance each patient exhibits.
TCM Herbal Formulas for Acute Gastritis
To address the diverse causes of acute gastritis, TCM utilizes a range of formulas and herbs, each corresponding to specific patterns of disharmony. For instances of Food Stagnation in the Stomach, Gua Di San, which includes Melon Stalks (Gua Di), serves to induce vomiting and clear the obstruction. When dealing with Heat in the Blood, Shi Hui San, featuring Japanese thistle (Da Ji), is used for its cooling properties to stop bleeding and reduce Heat.
For Cold patterns, Wu Zhu Yu Tang, with Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu), warms the middle and dispels Cold, treating symptoms like pain alleviated by warmth. And for Qi-level Heat, Zhi Zi Chi Tang, containing Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi), clears Heat and soothes discomfort. These formulas highlight the adaptability of TCM treatments, aiming to rebalance the body's energies and alleviate the distress of acute gastritis.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address acute gastritis, organized by formula type.
- By Formula Type
- Formulas that induce vomiting
- Formulas that stop bleeding
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that clear qi-level heat
Formulas that induce vomiting
Acute gastritis can be treated by these formulas when the condition is caused by the presence harmful substances that require induced vomiting to expel them as part of the treatment.
One such formula is Gua Di San, with melon stalk as a key herb.
Formulas that stop bleeding
Acute gastritis can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by various factors leading to bleeding, requiring hemostatic actions.
One such formula is Shi Hui San, with japanese thistle as a key herb.
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Acute gastritis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to cold in the middle jiao (digestive region), necessitating warming and cold-dispelling actions.
One such formula is Wu Zhu Yu Tang, with evodia fruit as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Qi-level Heat
Acute gastritis can be treated by these formulas when it results from an intense heat condition at the qi level, affecting the body's energy flow.
One such formula is Zhi Zi Chi Tang, with cape jasmine fruit as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Acute Gastritis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address acute gastritis, organized by herb category.
- By Herb Category
- Warm herbs that transform phlegm and stop cough
- Herbs that stop bleeding
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
Warm herbs that transform Phlegm and stop Cough
Acute gastritis can be treated by these herbs when it results from phlegm due to cold deficiency, aiming to warm the lungs and dissolve phlegm accumulation.
One such herb is Melon Stalks (Gua Di ), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute gastritis, like Gua Di San.
Herbs that stop bleeding
Acute gastritis can be treated by these herbs in cases where it is due to internal or external bleeding, working to stabilize and constrict blood flow.
One such herb is Japanese Thistle (Da Ji), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute gastritis, like Shi Hui San.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Acute gastritis can be treated by these herbs when it is a consequence of excess heat in the blood, helping to cool and detoxify the blood.
One such herb is Field Thistles (Xiao Ji), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute gastritis, like Shi Hui San.
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Acute gastritis can be treated by these herbs if it is due to internal coldness or deficient Yang energy, working to warm the body and dispel cold.
One such herb is Evodia Fruits (Wu Zhu Yu), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute gastritis, like Wu Zhu Yu Tang.
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Acute gastritis can be treated by these herbs when it arises from excessive internal heat or fire, aiding in cooling the body and balancing internal temperature.
One such herb is Cape Jasmine Fruits (Zhi Zi), a key herb in some formulas recommended for acute gastritis, like Zhi Zi Chi Tang.