What is Gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically resulting from a bacterial or viral infection. This condition can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dehydration. Gastroenteritis affects people of all ages and can range from mild to severe, often leading to a significant loss of water and electrolytes. Understanding its causes, transmission, and prevention is crucial for managing and reducing the incidence of this uncomfortable and potentially dangerous condition.
How Does TCM View Gastroenteritis?
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perceives gastroenteritis not just as an isolated infection of the gastrointestinal tract but as a manifestation of imbalance within the body's energy system. According to TCM, gastroenteritis can be caused by external factors like dietary indiscretions, emotional stress, or environmental changes disrupting the harmony of the body’s Qi, Yin, and Yang.
TCM emphasizes the importance of identifying the underlying disharmony pattern, whether it be Damp-Heat, Cold invading the Stomach, or Qi Stagnation, to tailor the treatment that addresses both the symptoms and their root causes effectively.
Causes of Gastroenteritis According to TCM
TCM identifies several patterns of disharmony that can lead to symptoms associated with gastroenteritis. One common cause is Food Stagnation in the Stomach, which occurs when improper eating habits lead to indigestion and accumulation of undigested food.
Another is Damp-Heat, which reflects an internal accumulation of heat and moisture, leading to inflammation and infection within the digestive system. By understanding these patterns, TCM practitioners can offer targeted treatments that restore balance and promote healing, moving beyond merely alleviating symptoms to addressing the disease's root cause.
To combat gastroenteritis, TCM employs a variety of herbal formulas aimed at correcting the specific imbalances identified. For conditions arising from Food Stagnation, Bao He Wan, with its key ingredient Hawthorn Berries (Shan Zha), is used to enhance digestion and clear the accumulation.
In cases of Damp-Heat, formulas like Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, featuring Korean Mint (Huo Xiang), work to dispel Dampness and harmonize the stomach. For scenarios where Cold invades the Stomach, Li Zhong Wan, with Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang), warms the Middle and dispels Cold. Furthermore, Lian Po Yin is utilized to clear Heat and expel Dampness, addressing deeper levels of disharmony such as Damp-Heat invading the Spleen. Each formula is carefully chosen based on the patient's specific symptoms and underlying pattern of disharmony, illustrating TCM's holistic approach to health and healing.
Explore below some TCM herbal formulas used to address gastroenteritis, organized by formula type.
- Formulas that clear wind-Cold
- Formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold
- Formulas that clear heat and expel dampness
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of dampness
- Formulas that rescue devastated yang
- Formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity
- Formulas that dispel summer-Heat and resolve exterior
- Formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform stagnation
- Formulas that transform dampness and harmonize stomach
- Formulas that expel dampness
- Formulas that tonify qi
- Formulas that harmonize stomach-Intestines
- Formulas that clear heat and open sensory orifices
- Formulas that release the exterior and clear the interior
- Formulas that clear heat from the organs
- Formulas that promote urination and leach out dampness
Formulas that clear Wind-Cold
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when it stems from external pathogenic influences characterized by cold and wind symptoms.
One such formula is Xiao Qing Long Tang, with ephedra as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear wind-Cold" recommended for gastroenteritis
Formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold
Gastroenteritis 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 Li Zhong Wan, with dried ginger as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that warm the middle and dispel cold" recommended for gastroenteritis
Formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness
Gastroenteritis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and expel dampness if it results from heat combined with damp conditions in the body.
One such formula is Lian Po Yin, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and expel dampness" recommended for gastroenteritis
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of Dampness
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when the symptom is caused by summer heat combined with dampness accumulation, requiring actions that both cool and resolve dampness.
One such formula is Liu Yi San, with talc as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dispel summer-Heat and facilitate resolution of dampness" recommended for gastroenteritis
Formulas that rescue devastated Yang
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas if it is a result of a severe depletion or collapse of Yang energy, requiring urgent restoration and warming actions.
One such formula is Si Ni Tang, with prepared aconite as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that rescue devastated yang" recommended for gastroenteritis
Formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity
Gastroenteritis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and resolve toxicity if it arises from heat toxins affecting the body.
One such formula is Huang Lian Jiao Du Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that clear heat and resolve toxicity" recommended for gastroenteritis
Formulas that dispel Summer-Heat and resolve Exterior
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when there's an interaction of external summer heat with the body's surface, requiring remedies that clear heat and release the exterior.
One such formula is Xiang Ru San, with vietnamese balm as a key herb.
Other formulas of this category are listed in the table below.
All "formulas that dispel summer-Heat and resolve exterior" recommended for gastroenteritis
Formulas that reduce food accumulation and transform Stagnation
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to the accumulation of undigested food and stagnation in the digestive system.
One such formula is Bao He Wan, with hawthorn berry as a key herb.
Formulas that transform Dampness and harmonize Stomach
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when it is due to dampness affecting the stomach, leading to digestive disturbances.
One such formula is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San, with korean mint as a key herb.
Formulas that expel Dampness
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas in cases where dampness obstructs the body's normal functions, necessitating herbs that specifically target and expel dampness.
One such formula is Wei Ling Tang, with water plantain as a key herb.
Formulas that tonify Qi
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas if it results from Qi deficiency, necessitating treatments that boost the body's vital energy.
One such formula is Shen Ling Bai Zhu San, with ginseng as a key herb.
Formulas that harmonize Stomach-Intestines
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when the symptom arises from disharmony between the stomach and intestines, often leading to digestive issues.
One such formula is Ban Xia Xie Xin Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices
Gastroenteritis can be treated by formulas that clear Heat and open sensory orifices if it is due to heat causing disturbances in sensory functions.
One such formula is Hui Chun Dan, with ox gallstone as a key herb.
Formulas that Release the Exterior and Clear the Interior
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when it arises from external pathogenic factors affecting the body's surface, coupled with internal disharmony.
One such formula is Ge Geng Huang Qin Huang Lian Tang, with kudzu root as a key herb.
Formulas that clear Heat from the Organs
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas if it stems from an excess heat condition in specific organs, leading to internal disharmony.
One such formula is Shao Yao Tang, with goldthread rhizome as a key herb.
Formulas that promote urination and leach out Dampness
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these formulas when it is caused by an accumulation of dampness in the body, requiring diuretic actions to promote fluid balance.
One such formula is Wu Ling San, with water plantain as a key herb.
TCM Herbs for Gastroenteritis
Explore below some TCM herbs used to address gastroenteritis, organized by herb category.
- Herbs that drain dampness
- Warm/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
- Tonic herbs for qi deficiency
- Herbs that warm the interior and/or expel cold
- Aromatic herbs that transform dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and relieve toxicity
- Herbs that clear heat and dry dampness
- Herbs that clear heat and purge fire and/or clear summer heat
- Herbs that relieve food stagnation
- Herbs that cool the blood
- Herbs that open the orifices
- Cool/Acrid herbs that release the exterior
Herbs that drain Dampness
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness in the body, aiding in eliminating damp through diuretic action.
One such herb is Talc (Hua Shi),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Liu Yi San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that drain Dampness" recommended for gastroenteritis
Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs when there is a need to dispel external cold and warm the body, especially in cases where there is insufficient Yang energy internally.
One such herb is Vietnamese Balm (Xiang Ru),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Xiang Ru San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Warm/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior" recommended for gastroenteritis
Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs when stemming from a lack of vital energy or Qi, helping to boost energy and overall vitality.
One such herb is Ginseng (Ren Shen),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Shen Ling Bai Zhu San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Tonic herbs for Qi Deficiency" recommended for gastroenteritis
Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold
Gastroenteritis 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 Dried Ginger (Gan Jiang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Li Zhong Wan.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that warm the Interior and/or expel Cold" recommended for gastroenteritis
Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs if it stems from damp accumulation, especially in the digestive system, using aromatic properties to transform and dispel dampness.
One such herb is Korean Mint (Huo Xiang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Aromatic herbs that transform Dampness" recommended for gastroenteritis
Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs if it arises from internal heat and toxic accumulations, aiding in detoxification and cooling the body.
One such herb is Chinese Lobelia Herbs (Ban Bian Lian),
which is directly recommended for gastroenteritis.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and relieve Toxicity" recommended for gastroenteritis
Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs when caused by excessive dampness and heat within the body, aiming to restore balance by drying dampness and clearing heat.
One such herb is Goldthread Rhizomes (Huang Lian),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Lian Po Yin.
Other herbs of this category are listed in the table below.
"Herbs that clear Heat and dry Dampness" recommended for gastroenteritis
Herbs that clear Heat and purge Fire and/or clear Summer Heat
Gastroenteritis 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 Climbing Groundsel Herbs (Qian Li Guang),
which is directly recommended for gastroenteritis.
Herbs that relieve Food Stagnation
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs in cases of digestive disturbances due to overeating or consuming hard-to-digest foods, assisting in breaking down and moving food through the digestive system.
One such herb is Hawthorn Berries (Shan Zha),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Bao He Wan.
Herbs that cool the Blood
Gastroenteritis 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 Ox Gallstones (Niu Huang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Hui Chun Dan.
Herbs that open the Orifices
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs if it's a result of blockages in the body's sensory orifices, aiding in restoring clarity and consciousness.
One such herb is Musk (She Xiang),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Hui Chun Dan.
Cool/Acrid herbs that release the Exterior
Gastroenteritis can be treated by these herbs when the body needs to harmonize with external environmental changes, particularly when there's a need to expel pathogenic factors like wind or cold without overly cooling the body.
One such herb is Kudzu Roots (Ge Gen),
a key herb in some formulas recommended for gastroenteritis,
like Ge Gen Tang.
