Indigestion in Chinese Medicine
Chinese Medicine views digestion as not just the stomach — rather the Spleen and Stomach together are the "kitchen of the body." The Spleen transforms, the Stomach receives.
The Role of the Spleen and Stomach
The Stomach (胃) — "Sea of Food"
- Function: Receiving and initial digestion
- Direction: Descent (normal)
- Disorder: Nausea, vomiting (abnormal rising)
The Spleen (脾) — "Mill of the Body"
- Function: Transforming food into Qi/Blood
- Direction: Ascending (normal)
- Disorder: Diarrhea, organ prolapse (abnormal sinking)
Patterns of Indigestion
1. Spleen Qi Deficiency (脾气虚)
Symptoms:
- Weak appetite, eating little
- Bloating after eating
- Fatigue, lethargy
- Loose stools
- Pallor
- Tongue: pale with scalloped edges
Cause: Irregular eating, excessive thinking, exhaustion
Treatment:
- Foods: rice, potato, yam, dates, chicken
- Point: ST36 (Zusanli) + SP6
- Avoid: raw, cold, excessively spicy
2. Spleen-Stomach Deficiency Cold (脾胃虚寒)
Symptoms:
- Abdominal pain that improves with warmth
- Cold extremities
- Clear fluid in the mouth
- Diarrhea with undigested food
- Tongue: pale and moist
Cause: Excessive cold food, eating ice cream
Treatment:
- Foods: ginger, cinnamon, lamb
- Moxa on the abdomen (navel)
- Point: CV12 (Zhongwan) + ST36
3. Spleen Dampness (湿困脾土)
Symptoms:
- Heaviness in the head and body
- No appetite, murky taste
- Sticky stools
- Phlegm
- Tongue: thick, sticky white coating
Cause: Damp weather, fatty/sweet foods
Treatment:
- Foods: adzuki beans, roasted brown rice
- Point: SP9 (Yinlingquan) + ST40
- Move and sweat
4. Stomach Heat (胃热)
Symptoms:
- Rapid hunger but rapid fullness
- Dry mouth, bad breath
- Constipation
- Tongue: red with yellow coating
Cause: Excessively spicy foods, alcohol
Treatment:
- Foods: watermelon, cucumber, green tea
- Point: ST44 (Neiting) + LI4
- Avoid: grilled, spicy, alcohol
5. Stomach Qi Stagnation (胃气滞)
Symptoms:
- Pain/bloating that improves with belching
- Belching, hiccups
- Tension, mood swings
- Tongue: normal
Cause: Stress, anger, eating quickly
Treatment:
- Point: PC6 (Neiguan) + ST34
- Rose or jasmine tea
- Eat slowly, chew well
Miraculous Point: ST36 (足三里) — Zusanli
Location
4 fingers below the knee, one finger outside the tibia bone.
Benefits
- Strengthens the Spleen and Stomach
- Increases energy and immunity
- Treats indigestion and fatigue
- The "longevity point" in China
Method
- Press for 5 minutes on each leg
- In the morning before breakfast
- Or in the evening before sleep
Healthy Digestion Rules
- 1Chew 30 times per bite
- 2Don't drink while eating (it dilutes the digestive juices)
- 3Don't eat while angry (it disturbs Stomach Qi)
- 4Only 70% full (don't fill the Stomach)
- 5Sleep on your right side (supports the Stomach)
- 6Don't try cold on the abdomen (it stops digestion)
🍚 The rule: "Breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, dinner like a pauper." The Stomach is strongest in the morning (7-9 AM) and weakest in the evening. Make breakfast heavier and dinner lighter!
