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Indigestion
Dyspepsia
Indigestion or Dyspepsia manifest with abdominal pain or discomfort, often with bloating, belching and nausea. The symptoms are often intermittent and may be aggravated by diet, stress, irregular eating habits etc.
As Hippocrates said "All Disease begins in the Stomach", indigestion can be viewed as the instigator or origin of many diseases. From a Traditional Medicine point of view, the signs of indigestion indicate improper digestion which will result in poor quality blood, excess humors, and a build up of improperly digested dross in the system. Therefore, the treatment of Indigestion is very important.
The most important thing in treatment is to first stop feeding the problem. A food diary kept for a few weeks writing down any symptoms that appear after eating will often show inappropriate foods. Meal times should be regular, diet should be light, food should be chewed thoroughly and food intake should be reduced if overweight.
Ginger tea, prepared from fresh Ginger root is a wonderful stomach medicine, and taken before each meal can promote better digestion and enhance stomach function. It also helps to digest undigested matter.
It was common to have a formula that could be taken before food to stimulate appetite and awaken the stomach. This would often be a formula with Spices along with the aromatic seeds, as in Peptic Powder (see also 15 Powders to Warm the Stomach). These powders can also be taken after meals if symptoms such as belching, fullness, or nausea are felt.
As Hippocrates said "All Disease begins in the Stomach", indigestion can be viewed as the instigator or origin of many diseases. From a Traditional Medicine point of view, the signs of indigestion indicate improper digestion which will result in poor quality blood, excess humors, and a build up of improperly digested dross in the system. Therefore, the treatment of Indigestion is very important.
The most important thing in treatment is to first stop feeding the problem. A food diary kept for a few weeks writing down any symptoms that appear after eating will often show inappropriate foods. Meal times should be regular, diet should be light, food should be chewed thoroughly and food intake should be reduced if overweight.
Ginger tea, prepared from fresh Ginger root is a wonderful stomach medicine, and taken before each meal can promote better digestion and enhance stomach function. It also helps to digest undigested matter.
It was common to have a formula that could be taken before food to stimulate appetite and awaken the stomach. This would often be a formula with Spices along with the aromatic seeds, as in Peptic Powder (see also 15 Powders to Warm the Stomach). These powders can also be taken after meals if symptoms such as belching, fullness, or nausea are felt.
Western Tradition
Digestionem confortant – Strengthen Digestion
Aromatic Rose Powder (Aromaticum Rosatum) Electuary of Apples Hiera Logadii Hiera Diacolocynth Stomach Pills (Mesue) Pills of Diarrhodon Pilulae ante cibum (Nicolai) Digestionem procurant – Benefit Digestion Vinegar of Squill Aromatic Roe Powder (Aromaticum Rosatum) Condited Citron Condited Orange peel Condited Quince Condited Chebula Powder of Ambergis (Diambra) (Mesue) Powder of Cumin Greater (Diacyminum) (Nicholas) Powder of Three Peppers (Diatrionpipereon) (Mesue) Cooling Pearl Powder (Diamargariton) Electuary of Cumin (Diacyminum) (Mesue) Aromatic Pills of Aloes (Aloephangine) (Mesue) Pills of Turbith Trochisci de Gallia magna Pomegranate 5 (Se bru 5) (Tibetan Medicine) Digestion, to Promote–Indigestion Syrup of Mint Confected Chebulic Myrobalan Ginger Conserve Quince Conserve Citron Peel confected Aromatic Rose Powder (Aromaticum Rosatum) Powder of Galangal Compound (Diagalanga) (Mesue) Powder of Cumin Greater (Diacyminum) (Nicholas) Diacalaminthum Diatrion Pipereon Electuarium Acharistum (Nicholas) Theriac of 4 Ingredients (Diatessaron) Triphera Saracenica (Mesue) Aromatic Pills of Aloes (Aloephangine) (Mesue) Oil of Wormwood Oil of Mint Costus 6 Powder (Ru rta drug pa) (Tibetan Medicine) Food, aversion to Electuary of Aromatics Aromatic Rose Powder (Aromaticum Rosatum) Aromatic Clove Powder (Aromaticum Caryophyllatum) Syrup of Mint Nausea Infusion of fresh Ginger Syrup of Ginger Syrup of Mint Aromatic Rose Powder (Aromaticum Rosatum) Overeating Vomiting was typically recommended if someone has overeaten. Mint tea Ginger tea Lesser Cumin Composition (Diospoliticum) (Galen) Food Stagnation Lesser Cumin Composition (Diospoliticum) (Galen) |
TCM Classification
Indigestion
Qi Stagnation / Liver Qi Attacking Stomach Indigestion that comes and goes, worse when stressed, epigastric pain, hypochondriac distention Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Xiao Yao San Mu Xiang Shun Qi Wan Xiao Yao San Yue Ju Wan Costus 6 Powder (Ru rta drug pa) (Tibetan Medicine) Phlegm Damp Obstruction indigestion with fatigue, nausea, heaviness in the chest, excess mucus and saliva, foggy head, wanting to sleep, dizziness. Er Chen Tang Liu Jun Zi Tang Ping Wei San Shen Ling Bai Zhu San Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Huo Xiang Zheng Qi San Bu Huan Jin Zheng Qi San Pomegranate 5 (Se bru 5) (Tibetan Medicine) Spleen Qi Deficiency chronic indigestion, pale face, shortness of breath, lethargy, loose stools. Si Jun Zi Tang Xiang Sha Liu Jun Zi Tang Stomach and Spleen Cold Indigestion, feels the cold, desire warm food and drink, aggravated by cold, pale tongue and face, white coat Li Zhong Wan Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan Indigestion from Food Stagnation See below --------------------------------- Food Stagnation Upper abdominal and epigastric distension, foul belching, foul-smelling flatulence, bad breath, acid reflux, heart burn, constipation maybe alternating with diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, dirty coating on the tongue Bao He Wan Jian Pi Wan Xiang Sha Ping Wei San Mu Xiang Bing Lang Wan Zhi Shi Dao Zhi Wan |