Stomach Qi Stagnation
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
Key attributes
Chinese name: 胃气滞 Pinyin name: Wèi Qì Zhì
Pattern nature: Full
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Qi Stagnation
Causes
Precursor patterns: Liver Qi Stagnation Stomach Qi Deficiency
Common causes: 1. Bad eating habits, 2. Emotional stress
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: Nausea Belching Vomiting Hiccuping Irritability and two other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: No particular signs on the tongue except that in severe cases it may be Red on the sides in the central section
Treatment
Treatment principle: Invigorate Stomach Qi, remove stagnation, restore the descending of Stomach Qi
Common formulas: Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang Zuo Jin Wan
Pathology
Epigastric distension is the main symptom of Stomach Qi Stagnation.
Since the Stomach is part of the Middle Burner, the Qi Stagnation there disturbs the normal descending of Stomach Qi, which results in belching, nausea, vomiting and hiccups.
Irritability is also due to the Stagnation of Qi.
There won't be much particular signs on the tongue except that in severe cases it may be red on the sides in the central section.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Stomach Qi Stagnation can derive from Liver Qi Stagnation Stomach Qi Deficiency
Bad eating habits: Bad eating habits lead to Stomach Qi Stagnation: eating in a hurry, working while eating, eating in a state of tension or while upset as well as eating standing up.
Emotional stress: Anger, frustration and resentment (the same emotions that affect the Liver) may affect the Stomach and cause this pattern. They are more likely to lead to this pattern when paired with bad eating habits.
Diagnosing Stomach Qi Stagnation
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): Wiry (Xian)
Tongue description: No particular signs on the tongue except that in severe cases it may be Red on the sides in the central section
Main symptoms: Nausea Belching Vomiting Hiccuping Irritability Epigastric pain Epigastric distension
Diagnosis commentary: Key characteristic symptoms of this pattern are the epigastric distension, belching and irritability.
Treating Stomach Qi Stagnation
Treatment principle
Invigorate Stomach Qi, remove stagnation, restore the descending of Stomach Qi
Herbal formulas used to treat Stomach Qi Stagnation
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 5 herbs
Key actions: Regulates the flow of Qi, treats esophageal spasm. Clears Phlegm.
Formula summary
Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is a 5-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that promote Qi movement.
Besides Stomach Qi Stagnation, Ban Xia Hou Pu Tang is also used to treat Heart Qi Stagnation or Pericardium Qi Stagnation.
Zuo Jin Wan
Source date: 1481 AD
Number of ingredients: 2 herbs
Key actions: Clears Liver Heat. Directs Rebellious Qi downward. Stops vomiting.
Formula summary
Zuo Jin Wan is a 2-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 1481 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that clear Heat.
Besides Stomach Qi Stagnation, Zuo Jin Wan is also used to treat Liver Qi Stagnation invading the Stomach.
Diet recommendations
If you have bad eating habits (such as eating in a hurry, working while eating, or eating standing up), change them as they worsen this pattern.
Also work on your emotions (particularly anger, frustration and resentment) as they're also a key source for this pattern.
Consequence patterns
Stomach Fire or Heat can occur due to long term Qi Stagnation in the Stomach.
Phlegm can form due to Stomach Qi Stagnation. It eventually becomes Phlegm-Heat in the Stomach.
If Qi Stagnation in the Stomach lasts for a long time without proper treatment, it can eventually stagnate the Blood.
Phlegm can form due to Stomach Qi Stagnation. It eventually becomes Phlegm-Heat in the Stomach.