Nausea Or Vomitingaccording to TCM

What is Nausea or Vomiting?

Nausea or vomiting is a common symptom affecting individuals across various ages, signifying discomfort in the stomach that often leads to the expulsion of gastric contents through the mouth. This condition can be a response to a myriad of factors ranging from infections and gastrointestinal disorders to more systemic issues. Nausea is the unsettling feeling of needing to vomit, while vomiting is the forceful ejection of stomach contents. These symptoms can occur separately or together, indicating the body's attempt to rid itself of harmful substances or signaling an underlying medical condition.

How does TCM View Nausea or Vomiting?

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives nausea and vomiting not merely as symptoms but as indicators of an imbalance within the body's energy system. According to TCM, the body is governed by a network of Qi (vital energy), and disruptions to this energy flow can lead to various health issues, including nausea and vomiting.

TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying the underlying disharmony or pattern leading to these symptoms, as it is believed that treating the root cause is essential for achieving lasting relief and restoring the body's natural balance.

Root Causes of Nausea Or Vomiting in TCM

In TCM, nausea and vomiting are often attributed to factors that disrupt the harmony and flow of Qi within the body. One such cause is Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder, characterized by symptoms like hypochondriac pain and a bitter taste in the mouth. This pattern signifies an accumulation of dampness and heat in the body, leading to discomfort and digestive issues.

Another common cause identified by TCM is Rebellious Qi, particularly involving the liver and Stomach. This occurs when the free flow of Qi is obstructed, leading to emotional distress, abdominal discomfort, and the resultant nausea or vomiting. These examples underscore TCM's holistic approach, focusing on the interplay between physical symptoms and emotional well-being.

Explore below more details about what might cause Nausea or vomiting according to TCM.

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Heat
  • Dampness
  • Phlegm
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 Nausea Or Vomiting

Common Symptoms: Bitter Taste In The Mouth Nausea Irritability Thirst Restlessness Dizziness Feeling Of Heaviness Lack Of Appetite

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder Nausea or vomiting, Hypochondriac pain, Hypochondriac distention, Fat malabsorption, Dull yellow complexion, Scanty and dark urine, Fever, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dizziness, Tinnitus, Irritability, Feeling of heaviness, Limb numbness, Foot edema, Alternating diarrhea and constipation, Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Yellow sclera... see more Yin Chen Hao Tang
Damp-Heat invading the Spleen Nausea or vomiting, Lack of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Malodorous diarrhea, Anal burning, Feeling of heat, Scanty and dark urine, Low grade fever, Dull headache, Dull yellow complexion, Yellow sclera, Oily sweat, Itchy rashes, Bitter taste in the mouth, Upper abdominal fullness, Upper abdominal pain... see more Lian Po Yin
Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen Nausea, Head and body heaviness, Upper abdominal oppression, Diarrhea, Fever not reduced by sweating... see more Lian Po Yin | Ge Hua Jie Cheng San | Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang
Damp-Heat in the Liver Nausea, Vomiting, Hypochondrial fullness and distention with pain alleviated by warmth, Abdominal fullness, Lower abdominal fullness, Bitter taste in the mouth, Sticky taste in the mouth, Lack of appetite, Feeling of heaviness, Yellow vaginal discharge, Vaginal itching, Vulvar eczema, Vulvar sores, Bleeding between periods, Midcycle bleeding pain, Red and swollen scrotum, Red and swelling genital, Papules, Itchy vesicular rashes, Urinary dysfunction, Urinary burning, Dark urine... see more Yin Chen Hao Tang | Long Dan Xie Gan Tang
Damp-Heat in the Stomach Nausea, Upper abdominal pain, Upper abdominal fullness, Feeling of heaviness, Face pain, Congested nose, Thick nasal discharge, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Feeling of heat, Dull yellow complexion, Sticky taste in the mouth... see more Lian Po Yin | Ge Hua Jie Cheng San
Gallbladder Heat Nausea, Alternating sensation of hot and cold, Bitter taste in the mouth, Thirst, Dry throat, Hypochondriac pain, Upper abdominal fullness... see more Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation Nausea, Upper abdominal oppression, Lack of appetite, Diarrhea, Feeling of heaviness, Dry mouth without desire to drink, Dull shallow face, Irritability, Upper abdominal distension, Hypochondriac distention, Hypochondriac pain... see more Ping Wei San | Dang Gui Shao Yao San
Phlegm-Heat Nausea, Upper abdominal oppression, Mucous in feces, Depression Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan
Stomach Heat or Fire Nausea, Vomiting of fluids soon after drinking, Upper abdominal burning pain, Excessive thirst, Craving for cold beverages, Restlessness, Dry stools, Dry mouth, Mouth ulcers, Acid reflux, Vomiting after eating, Excessive hunger, Bad breath, Feeling of heat, Acne... see more Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang | Qing Wei San | Xie Huang San | Fei Er Wan | Hua Ban Tang
Half Exterior Half Interior Vomiting, Chest distension, Bitter taste in the mouth, Dry cough, Anxiety, Restlessness, Vomit, Lack of appetite, Dizziness, Blurry vision... see more Xiao Chai Hu Tang
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 Hua Ban Tang | Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang | Gu Jing Wan | Shi Hui San | Bai He Di Huang 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
Stomach Deficiency Nausea or vomiting, Generalized fatigue, Chills, Lack of appetite, Depression, Dry mouth, Morning sickness... see more Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang | Er Chen Tang | Mai Men Dong Tang
Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat Nausea or vomiting, Vertigo, Vivid dreaming, Palpitations, Anxiety, Excessive hunger, Focal distention of the chest, Bitter taste in the mouth, Slight thirst, Copious thick yellow sputum, Hypertension... see more Wen Dan Tang
Heat in Gall Bladder Nausea, Spitting up bitter or sour fluids, Mild chills with high fever, Bitter taste in the mouth, Stifling sensation in the chest, Vomiting of sour fluids, Thirst, Hypochondriac pain and discomfort, Upper abdominal fullness, Cholecystitis, Icteric hepatitis, Kidney infection... see more Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang
Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat Vomiting of food, Toothache, Headaches, Loose teeth, Bleeding gums, Irritability, Thirst, Stomatitis, Periodontitis, Glossitis, Trigeminal neuralgia... see more Wen Dan Tang | Yu Nu Jian

TCM Herbal Formulas for Nausea Or Vomiting

To address nausea and vomiting, TCM practitioners often prescribe herbal formulas tailored to the identified pattern of disharmony. For Damp-Heat conditions, formulas like Yin Chen Hao Tang, which contains Virgate wormwood to drain dampness and clear heat, are commonly used.

In cases of Rebellious Qi, Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang, featuring Crow-Dipper Rhizomes, is favored for its ability to promote the movement of Qi and alleviate discomfort. These formulas exemplify TCM's nuanced approach to treatment, combining various herbs to target specific imbalances and restore the body's equilibrium, thereby alleviating symptoms of nausea and vomiting.

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

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Heat
  • Dampness
  • Phlegm

All Formulas Recommended for Nausea Or Vomiting Caused by Heat

Formula Patterns Suitable For
Lian Po Yin Damp-Heat invading the Spleen, Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen, Damp-Heat in the Stomach... see more
Wen Dan Tang Qi Stagnation in Gallbladder and Stomach with Phlegm Heat, Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat... see more
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang Gallbladder Heat, Heat in Gall Bladder
Xi Jiao Di Huang Tang Heat in the Blood, Heat victorious agitating Blood
Yin Chen Hao Tang Damp-Heat in the Gallbladder, Damp-Heat in the Liver
Ge Hua Jie Cheng San Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen, Damp-Heat in the Stomach
Long Dan Xie Gan Tang Damp-Heat in the Liver, Liver Fire Blazing
Hua Ban Tang Stomach Heat or Fire, Heat in the Blood
Er Chen Tang Stomach Deficiency
Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Stomach Deficiency
Xiao Chai Hu Tang Half Exterior Half Interior
Ping Wei San Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Mai Men Dong Tang Stomach Deficiency
Sheng Yang Yi Wei Tang Damp-Heat in Stomach and Spleen
Dang Gui Shao Yao San Obstruction Of the Spleen By Dampness with Liver Qi Stagnation
Qing Qi Hua Tan Wan Phlegm-Heat
Tiao Wei Cheng Qi Tang Stomach Heat or Fire
Qing Wei San Stomach Heat or Fire
Xie Huang San Stomach Heat or Fire
Fei Er Wan Stomach Heat or Fire
Yu Nu Jian Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
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
Qing Ying Tang Heat in the Blood
Qing Re Gu Jing Tang Heat in the Blood

Acupoints for Nausea Or Vomiting

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

  • By Meridian
  • Bladder Channel
  • Kidney Channel
  • Directing Vessel
Chengguang BL-6

Chengguang BL-6

1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline and 2.5 cun within the anterior hairline. On the other hand, this point is at the medial third and lateral two-thirds of the distance from anterior midline to the line vertically from Touwei ST-8. Chengguang BL-6 is also 1.5 cun posterior to Wuchu BL-5.

Luoque BL-8

Luoque BL-8

1.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline and 5.5 cun superior to the anterior hairline. Or 0.5 cun posterior to Baihui Du-20 at the vertex.

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).

Danshu BL-19

Danshu BL-19

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 10th thoracic vertebra (T10).

Weishu BL-21

Weishu BL-21

1.5 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12).

Shangliao BL-31

Shangliao BL-31

In the 1st posterior sacral foramen, about midway between the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) and the midline.

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).

Yishe BL-49

Yishe BL-49

3 cun lateral to the lower border of the spinous process of the 11th thoracic vertebra (T11).

Pucan BL-61

Pucan BL-61

Posterior and inferior to the external malleolus, directly below Kunlun BL-60, in the depression of the calcaneum at the junction of the red and white skin.

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