Many people have a cold constitution, especially among women. When winter arrives and the weather turns cold, a chill can cause discomfort in the stomach. Drinking a little warm water can alleviate this, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is referred to as Pi Wei Xu Han (Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency).
What is Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency? Pi Wei Xu Han is a term in TCM that refers to the deficiency of Yang Qi in the spleen and stomach, characterized by an excess of Yin and cold. This includes both Pi Yang Xu (Spleen Yang Deficiency) and Wei Yang Xu (Stomach Yang Deficiency).
What Causes Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency?
1.Irregular Diet
The primary cause of Pi Wei Xu Han is poor dietary habits, such as irregular eating, frequently consuming cold drinks or chilled foods. This is especially common among office workers who often eat out, have irregular meal times, and skip breakfast, making them prone to this condition.
2.Excessive Worry and Stress
In today’s fast-paced life, many people experience significant mental stress and excessive worry, which can easily damage the spleen and stomach.
3.Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
When the Qi of the spleen and stomach is deficient, it fails to transform Yang, leading to cold accumulation, which evolves into Pi Wei Xu Han.
What Are the Symptoms of Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency?
1.Thick White Coating on the Tongue
A healthy tongue should be red and moist. The tongue surface should have a thin and clean coating. If the tongue edges show clear teeth marks and the coating is thick and white, appearing slippery and moist, it indicates internal cold.
2.Decreased Appetite
In TCM, the body’s Qi and blood are transformed from food by the spleen and stomach, making them the foundation of postnatal health. If there is Pi Wei Xu Han, it can easily lead to indigestion and decreased appetite.
3.Stomach Pain
In cases of Yang deficiency, stomach pain may occur when the weather turns cold or after consuming cold foods. The pain is relieved by warmth, and hunger can also trigger stomach pain, which improves after eating, often accompanied by clear vomiting.
4.Pale and Dull Complexion
When the spleen is impaired, the food and water consumed cannot be properly transformed, leading to insufficient nourishment for the internal organs, resulting in a pale and dull complexion.
5.Cold Extremities
The extremities also require the nourishment from the spleen and stomach to maintain normal physiological activities. Those with Pi Wei Xu Han often have cold hands and feet and are very sensitive to cold.
6.Abdominal Distension and Pain
In cases of spleen Yang deficiency, there may be abdominal distension with reduced appetite, and the pain is relieved by warmth and pressure.
7.Loose Stools (Diarrhea)
Individuals with Pi Wei Xu Han may experience clear, loose stools without odor, often feeling an incomplete evacuation, needing to go again shortly after.
8.Menstrual Irregularities and Dysmenorrhea
Common manifestations of Pi Wei Xu Han in women include menstrual irregularities, dysmenorrhea, and increased thin vaginal discharge.
How to Nourish Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency?
1.Gao Liang Jiang Porridge
Ingredients: 15g Gao Liang Jiang (Galangal), 50g Japonica rice.
Method: First, decoct the Gao Liang Jiang with an appropriate amount of water in a sand pot to extract the medicinal juice; then cook the porridge with the medicinal juice and Japonica rice, and consume on an empty stomach.
Effect: Warms the middle and disperses cold. Suitable for cold-induced stomach pain.
2.Clove and Cinnamon Brown Sugar Tea
Ingredients: 6g Clove, 6g Cinnamon, 12g Brown Sugar.
Method: Soak the clove and cinnamon in warm water, boil vigorously, then simmer for 20 minutes, strain, and add brown sugar.
Effect: Suitable for cold-induced abdominal pain.
3.Orange Peel and Carp Soup
Ingredients: 300g Carp, 30g Ginger, 10g Orange Peel, 1g Pepper, 15g Green Onion, 2g Salt, 1g MSG.
Method: Clean the carp, slice the ginger, and bundle it with orange peel and pepper in a cloth bag, fill the fish belly, place in a pot with an appropriate amount of water, and simmer until cooked. Add a little salt and consume the soup and fish on an empty stomach.
Effect: Suitable for stomach pain after exposure to cold.
4.Pork Stomach Porridge
Ingredients: 1 Pork Stomach (Dog stomach is better), 100g Japonica rice, appropriate amount of Clove, Cinnamon, and Fennel.
Method: Place the pork stomach, clove, cinnamon, and fennel in a pot, add seasonings like green onion, ginger, salt, wine, and soy sauce, and simmer until very tender. Add the Japonica rice to make porridge and consume on an empty stomach. Suitable for stomach pain.
5.Pepper Pork Stomach Soup
Ingredients: Pork Stomach, Pepper, Cinnamon, Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Green Onion, Salt.
Method: Clean the pork stomach, mix the spices with an appropriate amount of salt, fill the pork stomach, place in a clay pot, add water, boil vigorously, then simmer until the pork stomach is tender. Consume the pork stomach and drink the soup on an empty stomach.
Effect: Warms the middle, strengthens the spleen, disperses cold, and alleviates pain. Used for Pi Wei Xu Han.
6.Barley and Lamb Soup
Ingredients: 50g Barley, 1 Grass Fruit, 150g Lamb, 3g Salt, 3g MSG, 10ml Cooking Wine.
Method: Rinse the barley, boil it in an aluminum pot, and set aside. In another pot, boil the cleaned lamb and grass fruit until the meat is cooked. Remove the lamb and grass fruit, add the barley porridge, mix well, and simmer until boiling. Add the lamb cut into small pieces and season with salt, serve warm.
Effect: This recipe warms the stomach and relieves distension, suitable for stomach distension and pain due to Pi Wei Xu Han.
In addition to dietary adjustments, foot therapy and moxibustion can also be beneficial. In daily life, it is important to keep warm, exercise regularly, and maintain a positive mood.
