The Stomach in TCM

The Stomach receives and begins decomposition of food and drink, initiating the digestive process through putrefaction and fermentation. As Yang partner to the Spleen's Yin function, the Stomach descends turbid qi while the Spleen ascends clear qi. The Stomach controls saliva secretion and opens to the mouth, with pathology often manifesting in the lips and oral cavity. Its meridian trajectory and abundant qi and blood make it particularly susceptible to Heat patterns.

Common Patterns

Stomach Fire

Burning epigastric pain, excessive hunger, halitosis, bleeding gums, rapid pulse

Stomach Yin Deficiency

Dull epigastric pain, dry mouth without desire to drink, constipation, red tongue with little coating

Food Stagnation

Epigastric distention worse after eating, belching with sour odor, aversion to food

Cold Attacking the Stomach

Sudden severe epigastric pain relieved by warmth, vomiting clear fluid, tight pulse

Stomach Qi Deficiency

Chronic epigastric discomfort, poor appetite, fatigue after eating, weak pulse

Rebellious Stomach Qi

Nausea, vomiting, hiccup, belching, epigastric distention

Liver Qi Invading Stomach

Epigastric distending pain radiating to hypochondrium, worsened by stress, irritability

Key Points

  • Stomach governs decomposition (shu hua) while Spleen governs transformation (yun hua) - dysfunction in either affects both
  • Stomach prefers moisture and dislikes dryness, making it vulnerable to Heat and Dryness pathogenic factors
  • Rebellious Stomach qi always involves upward movement of qi that should descend, manifesting as nausea, vomiting, or belching
  • ST-36 Zusanli tonifies Stomach qi and is the primary point for all Stomach deficiency patterns
  • Stomach patterns frequently combine with Spleen patterns in clinical presentation due to their physiological interdependence

Formulas Targeting the Stomach

417 formulas in our catalog

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Other Systems

LiverKidneySpleenLungHeartIntestinesBladderGallbladderUterus

Frequently Asked Questions

Stomach Fire presents with burning pain, strong thirst for cold drinks, and rapid pulse. Stomach Yin Deficiency shows dull pain, dry mouth without desire to drink, and thready rapid pulse. The tongue coating is thick yellow in Fire, scanty or absent in Yin Deficiency.
Normal Stomach qi descends to pass food to Small Intestine. When qi rebels upward, it causes nausea, vomiting, hiccup, and belching. This pattern requires points that harmonize the Stomach and subdue rebellious qi, particularly PC-6 Neiguan and ST-36 Zusanli.
Treat Stomach first when symptoms involve food intake, epigastric region, or acute digestive disturbance. Treat Spleen first when symptoms involve post-digestive functions like transportation, transformation, or chronic loose stools. Many cases require simultaneous treatment of both organs.

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