Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
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 Yang The concept of Deficiency The concept of Cold
Key attributes
Chinese name: 胃阳虚 Pinyin name: Wèi Yáng Xū
Pattern nature: Empty
Pattern hierarchy: Specific pattern under Yang Deficiency
Causes
Precursor patterns: Spleen Yang Deficiency Cold invading the Stomach
Common causes: 1. Diet, 2. External environment
Diagnosis
Common symptoms: No thirst Tiredness Weak limbs Cold limbs Poor appetite and four other symptoms
Pulse type(s): Deep (Chen), Slow (Chi), Weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale and wet
Treatment
Treatment principle: Tonify and warm Stomach and Spleen Qi.
Common formulas: Xiao Jian Zhong Tang Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang Wu Zhu Yu Tang and one other formulas
Pathology
Also called Stomach Yang Deficiency, this pattern is normally associated with Spleen-Yang Deficiency, which leads to Internal Cold, resulting in cold limbs, loose stools, vomiting of clear fluids, no thirst, preference for warm drinks and foods and a Weak pulse.
When Stomach Qi is deficient, it may be made worse by the bowel movement, hence the aggravation of the feeling of discomfort in the epigastrium after a bowel movement.
Because the discomfort is caused by a Deficiency condition, it is better with eating and better after pressure or massage.
Causes
Precursor patterns: Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold can derive from Spleen Yang Deficiency Cold invading the Stomach
Diet: A diet lacking in nourishing foods such as proteins or an excessive consumption of cold foods such as ice-creams, salads, fruits and iced drinks.
External environment: Exterior Cold can invade the Stomach, and if it is not expelled, after some time it will interfere with the Stomach function and cause Stomach Yang Deficiency.
Diagnosing Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
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): Deep (Chen), slow (Chi) or weak (Ruo)
Tongue description: Pale and wet
Main symptoms: No thirst Tiredness Weak limbs Cold limbs Poor appetite Pale complexion Vomiting of clear fluids Preference for warm drinks and foods Epigastric pain relieved with pressure or eating
Diagnosis commentary: The pulse is Deep-Weak-Slow, especially on the Right-Middle position. The key characteristic symptoms are the discomfort in the epigastrium (which is better after eating), the tiredness and the cold limbs.
Treating Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Treatment principle
Tonify and warm Stomach and Spleen Qi.
Herbal formulas used to treat Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 6 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Formula summary
Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is a 6-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold.
Besides Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold, Xiao Jian Zhong Tang is also used to treat Small Intestine Deficient and Cold.
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 7 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Middle Burner (Spleen and Stomach). Tonifies Qi. Relieves spasmodic pain.
Formula summary
Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is a 7-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold.
Besides Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold, Huang Qi Jian Zhong Tang is also used to treat Empty-Cold.
Wu Zhu Yu Tang
Source date: 220 AD
Number of ingredients: 4 herbs
Key actions: Warms and tonifies the Liver and Stomach. Directs Rebellious Qi downward. Stops vomiting.
Formula summary
Wu Zhu Yu Tang is a 4-ingredient Chinese Medicine formula. Invented in 220 AD, it belongs to the category of formulas that warm the middle and dispel Cold.
Besides Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold, Wu Zhu Yu Tang is also used to treat Cold invading the Stomach.
Consequence patterns
The Stomach influences the Heart directly so a Deficiency of Stomach-Yang is a frequent cause of Heart-Yang deficiency.
If left untreated Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold can lead to Phlegm
If left untreated Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold can lead to Stomach Yin Deficiency
If left untreated Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold can lead to Stomach Qi Deficiency
If left untreated Stomach Yang Deficient and Cold can lead to Stomach Blood Stagnation