What is Vomit?

Vomiting, or emesis, is the forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose. It can be a protective reflex from toxins, a reaction to various illnesses, or a side effect of medical treatments. Vomit can manifest in several forms, including the regurgitation of sour fluids, undigested food, or, in more severe cases, blood. Vomiting is not a disease in itself but rather a symptom that can accompany many conditions.

How Does TCM View Vomit?

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), understanding vomiting goes beyond simply addressing the symptom; it involves recognizing the unique 'pattern' of imbalance within the body. A pattern in TCM reflects a comprehensive picture of disharmony that may involve aspects of Qi, Yin, Yang, and bodily fluids. Identifying this pattern is crucial because it directs the treatment strategy, ensuring that both the symptom and its root cause are addressed. This holistic approach allows for more personalized and effective remedies, tailored to each individual's specific imbalance.

Root Causes of Vomit in TCM

Vomiting in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) can often be traced back to specific patterns of imbalance, such as Rebellious Qi, Liver or Stomach Qi Stagnation, or Phlegm. Rebellious Qi refers to the Qi's improper flow, moving upwards instead of its natural downward direction, causing symptoms like vomiting.

Stagnation of Qi in the Liver or Stomach disrupts the smooth flow of energy and bodily fluids, leading to discomfort and the urge to vomit. Phlegm, viewed as a pathological product of the body's fluids, can obstruct the flow of Qi and further aggravate the condition by adding a sense of fullness and blockage.

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

  • By Syndrome
  • By Organ
  • Heat
  • Phlegm
  • Cold
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 Vomit

Common Symptoms: Bitter Taste In The Mouth Restlessness Thirst Irritability Constipation Dark Urine Dizziness Flushed Face

Pattern Name Relevant Symptoms Relevant Formulas
Damp-Heat in the Liver 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, Nausea, 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 Long Dan Xie Gan Tang | Yin Chen Hao 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
Stomach Heat or Fire 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, Nausea, 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
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
Heat in Gall Bladder 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, Nausea, Upper abdominal fullness, Cholecystitis, Icteric hepatitis... 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 Vomit

To address these underlying patterns, TCM recommends specific formulas designed to correct the flow of Qi and dissolve Phlegm. For instances of Rebellious Qi, where the body's energy ascends instead of descending, treatments focus on redirecting Qi downwards, alleviating the urge to vomit. Formulas like Chai Hu Shu Gan San work to soothe Liver Qi Stagnation, promoting the free flow of energy and reducing the tension that contributes to vomiting.

To combat Phlegm, remedies such as Wen Dan Tang help clear the obstruction, restore clarity to the mind, and ease symptoms. These targeted treatments are part of TCM’s strategic approach to harmonizing the body’s internal landscape, offering relief from vomiting and its associated discomforts.

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

  • By Cause
  • By Formula Type
  • Heat
  • Phlegm
  • Cold

All Formulas Recommended for Vomit 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 Damp-Heat in the Liver, Liver Fire Blazing
Hua Ban Tang Stomach Heat or Fire, Heat in the Blood
Wen Dan Tang Stomach Fire or Stomach Heat
Xiao Chai Hu Tang Half Exterior Half Interior
Yin Chen Hao Tang Damp-Heat in the Liver
Hao Qin Qing Dan Tang Heat in Gall Bladder
Yu Nu Jian Stomach Fire or Stomach 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
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 Vomit

TCM also incorporates acupressure or acupuncture on specific points to manage vomiting. For example, the Kidney Channel's Bulang KID-22 may be used to subdue rebellious Lung and Stomach Qi, potentially offering relief from vomiting.

The Bladder Channel's Chengguang BL-6 is noted for expelling Wind-Heat and could be beneficial for vomiting associated with external pathogenic factors. These points are carefully chosen based on their actions and relevance to the individual's symptoms and underlying disharmony.

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

  • By Meridian
  • Kidney Channel
  • Bladder Channel
  • Stomach Channel
Shangqu KID-17

Shangqu KID-17

2 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Shiguan KID-18

Shiguan KID-18

3 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Yindu KID-19

Yindu KID-19

4 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Futonggu KID-20

Futonggu KID-20

5 cun above the umbilicus, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Youmen KID-21

Youmen KID-21

6 cun above the umbilicus and 2 cun below the sternocostal angle, 0.5 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Bulang KID-22

Bulang KID-22

In the 5th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Shenfeng KID-23

Shenfeng KID-23

In the 4th intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Shencang KID-25

Shencang KID-25

In the 2nd intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Yuzhong KID-26

Yuzhong KID-26

In the 1st intercostal space, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

Shufu KID-27

Shufu KID-27

In the depression on the lower border of the clavicle, 2 cun lateral to the anterior midline.

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