Stomach Qi Deficiency
The information provided here is not a replacement for a doctor. You shouldn't use it for the purpose of self-diagnosing or self-medicating but rather so you can have a more informed discussion with a professional TCM practitioner.
At a glance
Preliminary reading: What is a pattern? The Stomach in Chinese Medicine The concept of Qi The concept of Deficiency
Key attributes
Chinese name: 胃气虚 Pinyin name: Wèi Qì Xū
Pattern nature: Empty
Common combinations: Stomach and Spleen Qi Deficiency
Causes
Precursor patterns: Spleen Qi Deficiency Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Common causes: 1. Diet, 2. Chronic diseases
Diagnosis
Treatment
Treatment principle: Tonify Stomach Qi
Common formulas: Si Jun Zi Tang
Pathology
Stomach Qi Deficiency is one of the most commonly seen patterns in TCM practices and it is also a very typical cause of chronic fatigue, a very contemporary condition!
The Stomach is the origin of Post-Heaven Qi since it starts the Qi creating process by receiving ingested food and drinks and then rots and ripes them. When Stomach Qi is weak, all other Organs suffer. Fatigue is the main symptom and it is especially obvious in the morning because the Stomach functions are usually the most active at that time.
The weak feeling of limbs are another manifestation because the weakened Stomach Qi can not direct the food Essence to the limbs.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Stomach Qi Deficiency can derive from Spleen Qi Deficiency Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Diet: Diet is the most common reason for any Stomach disharmonies. Irregular eating schedule, undereating, or a diet poor in protein and nutrition leads to the Deficiency of Stomach Qi.
Chronic diseases: Chronic diseases harm body Qi in general, which includes Stomach Qi. It is quite common to see the weakened Stomach Qi after a prolonged illness such as glandular fever.
Diagnosing Stomach Qi Deficiency
Diagnosing a pattern in Chinese Medicine is no easy feat and should be left to professional practitioners. In particular one has to know how to differentiate between different types of pulses and tongue coatings, shapes and colors as well as learn to read from a long list of seemingly unrelated symptoms.
Pulse type(s): Empty (Xu)
Tongue description: Pale tongue
Main symptoms: Tiredness in the morning
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the tiredness in the morning and a weak Stomach pulse.
Treating Stomach Qi Deficiency
Treatment principle
Tonify Stomach Qi
Herbal formulas used to treat Stomach Qi Deficiency
Si Jun Zi Tang
Source date: 1107 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Tonifies Qi. Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach.
Formula summary
Si Jun Zi Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1107 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that tonify Qi.
Besides Stomach Qi Deficiency, Si Jun Zi Tang is also used to treat Qi Deficiency or Spleen and Lung Qi Deficiency.
Consequence patterns
Stomach Qi Deficiency is often the precursor of the pattern of Large Intestine Dryness.
If Stomach Qi Deficiency persists for many years, it can eventually develop to Yin Deficiency in the Stomach.
Sometimes this pattern also leads to Qi Stagnation in the Stomach, which then develops further to Stomach Blood Stagnation.
Sometimes this pattern also leads to Qi Stagnation in the Stomach, which then develops further to Stomach Blood Stagnation.
When the Stomach Qi is Deficient, its normal Qi descending function is disturbed, resulting in the formation of Phlegm.
The Spleen and Stomach are closely related, the Deficiency of one Organ's Qi affect the other one. Therefore, Spleen Qi Deficiency often results from the pattern of Stomach Qi Deficiency and vice versa.