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Diseases of the Stomach
Hippocrates first said "All Disease begins in the Stomach". In all Traditions, great importance is placed on the Stomach as the seat of "First Digestion".
Signs of Stomach dysfunction include Nausea, Loss of Appetite, Acid Regurgitation and Stomach Pain. The Stomach is prone to the following main disorders:
Disorders of the Stomach more than any other require attention to diet.
The use of Bitters
In the Western Tradition especially the use of Bitters and Aromatic Bitters to stimulate the digestion was widespread. The best of these were combinations of Bitters (often Purgatives) and Aromatics. In additon, especially in later times, they were commonly used in the form of Tinctures. This made a small dose effective to stimulate digestion without draining or purging.
Many of these formulas might be classed as purging in TCM, but the small doses used are enough to stimulate saliva and gastric juice without purging, and were therefore accounted effective to stimulate digestion, even when used regularly by weak constitutions.
Examples are:
Elixir Vitae (Tincture of Life)
Holy Tincture
Swedish Bitters
In TCM there is a similar concept which relies on Aromatics, without the addition of strong bitters or draining medicines. This is rationalized because many areas in China are Damp, and the paotent aromatics have a similar effect of stimulating digestion and relieving turbidity caused by Damp. The representative formula for this is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui. This formula is widely available in China and today is commonly prepared in Tincture form. A small vial of Tincture is taken as a dose which often has a remarkably quick effect in relieving indigestion, poor appetite, acute gastritis and gastroenteritis associated with Damp. Travellers also find it effective for Food Poisoning.
Signs of Stomach dysfunction include Nausea, Loss of Appetite, Acid Regurgitation and Stomach Pain. The Stomach is prone to the following main disorders:
- Stomach Heat: excess Appetite, always hungry, desire for Cold food and drink, red tongue, strong pulse
- Stomach Cold: poor appetite, desire for warm food and drink, weak pulse, feels cold, abdominal pain relieved by warmth, pale tongue with white coat
- Stomach Dry / Yin Deficiency: dry mouth, desire for lots of liquid, cracked tongue
- Stomach Moist / Damp: loss of appetite, nausea, excess saliva, usually not thirsty, wet tongue with moist coating
- Stomach Weakness: Spleen Qi Deficiency in TCM; poor appetite, nausea, indigestion, low energy, low pulse
Disorders of the Stomach more than any other require attention to diet.
The use of Bitters
In the Western Tradition especially the use of Bitters and Aromatic Bitters to stimulate the digestion was widespread. The best of these were combinations of Bitters (often Purgatives) and Aromatics. In additon, especially in later times, they were commonly used in the form of Tinctures. This made a small dose effective to stimulate digestion without draining or purging.
Many of these formulas might be classed as purging in TCM, but the small doses used are enough to stimulate saliva and gastric juice without purging, and were therefore accounted effective to stimulate digestion, even when used regularly by weak constitutions.
Examples are:
Elixir Vitae (Tincture of Life)
Holy Tincture
Swedish Bitters
In TCM there is a similar concept which relies on Aromatics, without the addition of strong bitters or draining medicines. This is rationalized because many areas in China are Damp, and the paotent aromatics have a similar effect of stimulating digestion and relieving turbidity caused by Damp. The representative formula for this is Huo Xiang Zheng Qi Shui. This formula is widely available in China and today is commonly prepared in Tincture form. A small vial of Tincture is taken as a dose which often has a remarkably quick effect in relieving indigestion, poor appetite, acute gastritis and gastroenteritis associated with Damp. Travellers also find it effective for Food Poisoning.
Special Formula
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SWELLING & PAIN OF THE STOMACH
Fennel seed 3 parts Black Pepper 2 parts Elecampane 1 part Powder and mix with three times their weight of clarified Honey. Dose: as much as a hazelnut with Hot water, Wine or Oxymel. 1. Good for Cold Stomach Pain and Swelling 2. Hemorrhoids 3. Phlegm 4. Pain of the Kidneys 5. Gravel 6. Stops Excess Menstruation (from Cold) 7. Cold-type Cough 8. Epilepsy (Secrets of Alexis) |