1
Food stagnation
- Key distinguishing signs
- Vomiting sour foul undigested food, bloating relieved after vomiting, belching, thick greasy coat
- Treatment principle
- Digest stagnation, harmonize the stomach and downbear qi
Digestiveǒu tù
Vomiting
Also called:emesisthrowing up
From the TCM perspective: Vomiting: stomach qi ascending counterflow
Overview
Vomiting is forceful ejection of stomach contents through the mouth due to stomach qi ascending counterflow. TCM distinguishes acute external/food-poisoning vomiting from phlegm-fluid, stomach heat, food stagnation, or chronic spleen-stomach deficiency.
☯Common patterns (syndrome differentiation)
2
Phlegm-fluid obstructing the middle
- Key distinguishing signs
- Vomiting clear watery fluid or phlegm, nausea, heaviness, dizziness, poor appetite, moist white coat
- Treatment principle
- Warm and transform phlegm-fluid, harmonize the stomach
3
Stomach heat counterflow
- Key distinguishing signs
- Vomiting soon after eating, thirst for cold drinks, bitter mouth, bad breath, constipation, red tongue
- Treatment principle
- Clear stomach heat and downbear qi
4
Spleen-stomach qi deficiency
- Key distinguishing signs
- Intermittent vomiting of undigested food, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stool, pale tooth-marked tongue
- Treatment principle
- Tonify the middle burner and harmonize the stomach
Daily self-care
- Sip clear fluids in small frequent amounts, then start bland food (rice, banana, toast) as nausea eases.
- Pause dairy, fatty, spicy and fried food and rest the stomach.
- Record what was eaten and whether vomit is bilious, bloody or associated with headache.
When to seek medical help
The following warning signs require prompt medical evaluation — do not rely on self-treatment:
- Bloody or coffee-ground vomit, or green bilious vomit with severe pain.
- Signs of dehydration (little urine, standing dizziness, very dry mouth), especially in children/elderly.
- Vomiting after head injury, or with severe/rigid abdominal pain, fever and stiff neck.
Medical disclaimer: Educational content about traditional Chinese medicine for information only; it is not a diagnosis or treatment and does not replace a qualified clinician. If symptoms worsen or warning signs appear, seek medical care.