Vomiting Bloodaccording to TCM

*redirected from Hematemesis

Symptom family: Nausea and Vomiting

Parent symptom: Vomit

Sub-symptom(s): Potential Vomiting Of Blood

What is Vomiting Blood?

Vomiting blood, medically known as hematemesis, is a symptom where a person expels blood mixed with stomach contents through the mouth. This condition is often an indicator of gastrointestinal issues, ranging from ulcers and inflammation to more severe conditions like cancer or liver disease. Recognizing this symptom is critical as it requires immediate medical attention to diagnose and treat the underlying cause.

How does TCM view Vomiting Blood?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), vomiting blood is seen through the lens of imbalance and disharmony within the body. TCM identifies several patterns of disharmony that could lead to this symptom, including but not limited to Liver Fire Blazing, Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire, or Blood Stasis. Identifying the exact pattern is crucial for TCM practitioners as it dictates the treatment approach, focusing on restoring balance and addressing the root cause of the symptom.

Root Causes of Vomiting Blood in TCM

Vomiting blood in TCM can be attributed to various causes, each associated with different underlying imbalances. Liver Fire Blazing, for instance, is characterized by symptoms like irritability, anger, and a flushed face, and is treated with formulas that clear heat from the organs, such as Long Dan Xie Gan Tang.

Another cause, Liver Blood Stagnation, manifests through symptoms like hypochondriac pain and irregular periods, with treatments focusing on harmonizing liver-spleen and invigorating blood to dispel blood stagnation.

Explore below more details about what might cause Vomiting blood according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Heat
  • Blood Stasis
  • Mind Disturbance
Detailed description of the cause

Heat

In TCM "Heat" signifies an excess of Yang energy, leading to an imbalance where heat predominates over the body's cool Yin aspects. This condition is metaphorically akin to an internal over-heating. Symptoms indicative of Heat can include feelings of warmth, fever, sweating, irritability, red face, thirst with a preference for cold drinks, and a rapid pulse. The tongue may appear red with a yellow coating. Unlike the common interpretation of heat in terms of temperature, in TCM, it represents a state of hyperactivity or inflammation in the body.... see more

Heat Patterns That Can Lead to Vomiting Blood

Common Symptoms: Nosebleeds Irritability Tinnitus Dizziness Flushed Face Thirst Bitter Taste In The Mouth Constipation

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Liver Fire Blazing Haematemesis, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Vivid dreaming, Constipation, Dry stools, Dark urine, Nosebleeds, Cough of blood, Vomiting blood... see more Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Dang Gui Long Hui Wan | Xie Qing Wan
Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire Haematemesis, Tremors, Irritability, Anger, Tinnitus, Deafness, Temporal headache, Dizziness, Flushed face, Eye hyperemia, Thirst, Bitter taste in the mouth, Vivid dreaming, Constipation, Dry stools, Dark urine, Nosebleeds, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood... see more Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang | Zi Xue Dan | Feng Yin Tang
Heat in the Blood Vomiting of blood, Feeling of heat, Red skin eruptions, Thirst, Frequent bleeding, Bloody sputum, Hematochezia, Hematuria, Vomiting blood, Cough of blood, Nosebleeds, Excessive menstruation... see more Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Gu Jing Wan | Shi Hui San | Bai He Di Huang Tang | Hua Ban Tang | Qing Ying Tang | Qing Re Gu Jing Tang
Heat victorious agitating Blood Vomiting of blood, Restlessness, High fever, Mania, Macules, Vomiting blood, Nosebleeds, Hematochezia, Hematuria... see more Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang

TCM Herbal Formulas for Vomiting Blood

To address vomiting blood, TCM employs a range of formulas and herbs tailored to the specific pattern of disharmony identified in the patient. For heat-related patterns, Long Dan Xie Gan Tang and Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang are used to clear Heat from the organs and pacify internal Wind, respectively.

For blood stasis, treatments include Xiao Yao San to harmonize the Liver-Spleen and Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang to invigorate blood and dispel stagnation. These formulas illustrate the precision and customization of TCM treatments based on individual diagnosis.

Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address vomiting blood, organized by cause and by formula type.

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Heat
  • Blood Stasis
  • Mind Disturbance

All Formulas Recommended for Vomiting Blood Caused by Heat

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang Heat in the Blood, Heat victorious agitating Blood
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Liver Fire Blazing
Dang Gui Long Hui Wan Liver Fire Blazing
Xie Qing Wan Liver Fire Blazing
Ling Jiao Gou Teng Tang Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Zi Xue Dan Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Feng Yin Tang Liver Wind agitating Internally due to Liver Fire
Gu Jing Wan Heat in the Blood
Shi Hui San Heat in the Blood
Bai He Di Huang Tang Heat in the Blood
Hua Ban Tang Heat in the Blood
Qing Ying Tang Heat in the Blood
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang Heat in the Blood

Acupoints for Vomiting Blood

TCM also incorporates acupuncture as part of the treatment for vomiting blood, targeting specific acupoints to restore harmony and balance. Ganshu BL-18, for example, invigorates Liver Qi and Blood, while Laogong P-8 clears Heart Fire and calms the Mind. These acupoints are selected based on their ability to address the root causes of vomiting blood, showcasing TCM's holistic approach to health and healing.

Explore below some acupoints used to address vomiting blood, organized by meridian.

  • By Meridian
  • Bladder Channel
  • Pericardium Channel
  • Stomach Channel
Geshu BL-17

Geshu BL-17

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra (T7).

Ganshu BL-18

Ganshu BL-18

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 9th thoracic vertebra (T9).

Geguan BL-46

Geguan BL-46

3 cun (about 4 finger-breadths) lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 7th thoracic vertebra (T7).

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