Do you often feel bloated, especially after meals, with increased discomfort, frequent belching, and flatulence? These issues are classified in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as stagnation of Qi in the stomach and intestines. Sometimes, emotional stress can exacerbate this feeling of fullness, as liver Qi invades the stomach, leading to severe stagnation. Today, Dr. Ma will share a method to address this problem.
Why does Qi stagnation occur? TCM believes that Qi must flow smoothly; if it becomes obstructed, it leads to stagnation, particularly in the stomach and large intestine, which are part of the Six Fu Organs. The function of the Six Fu is to facilitate passage; they must remain unobstructed. Factors such as phlegm-dampness, improper diet, blood stasis, and liver Qi stagnation can all lead to Qi stagnation, resulting in symptoms like bloating, pain, belching, flatulence, and even nausea and vomiting.
So how can we eliminate this Qi stagnation? Today, I will introduce a practical formula for reference that effectively alleviates Qi stagnation and bloating, consisting of Zhi Shi (Bitter Orange) and Qing Pi (Green Tangerine Peel). Let’s explore why this combination is effective in relieving Qi stagnation.
First, let’s discuss Zhi Shi.
Zhi Shi has a pungent and bitter taste, is slightly cold in nature, and enters the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians. Its primary function can be summarized as “breaking”; it can break Qi stagnation, eliminate accumulation, transform phlegm, and relieve fullness. It is a key herb for treating Qi stagnation, applicable not only for food stagnation but also for phlegm obstructing the Qi mechanism, addressing various issues such as stomach bloating, abdominal distension, belching, and flatulence.
From the book Yu Jiu Yao Jie: “Zhi Shi is sour and bitter, acting swiftly to break stagnation and relieve fullness, eliminate phlegm and fluid accumulation, and transform hardened food accumulations. It clears away stagnation and is powerful against all corrupt and obstructive substances; nothing else can achieve this effect.”
From Lei Gong Pao Zhi Yao Xing Jie: “Its nature is fierce, capable of breaking through walls and barriers; those with weak Qi should avoid it.”
Next, let’s look at Qing Pi.
While many are familiar with Chen Pi (Dried Tangerine Peel), Qing Pi is less known but has a stronger Qi-regulating effect than Chen Pi.
Qing Pi has a bitter and pungent taste, is warm in nature, and has the ability to soothe the liver, break Qi stagnation, and disperse accumulation. It enters the stomach meridian and has a strong effect in dissipating accumulations, making it suitable for Qi stagnation due to undigested food, presenting symptoms like fullness in the stomach, abdominal pain, belching, and flatulence. For Qi stagnation with blood stasis, combining it with blood-activating herbs enhances its effectiveness.
Qing Pi also enters the liver and gallbladder meridians, effectively soothing the liver and relieving depression, making it beneficial for pain in the hypochondrium and fullness in the chest and abdomen caused by liver Qi stagnation. Its warm, dispersing nature and bitter downward-moving properties strongly break Qi stagnation, especially when processed with vinegar, significantly improving symptoms like hypochondriac pain, liver Qi invading the stomach, stomach pain with acid reflux, and abdominal distension and pain.
From Lei Gong Pao Zhi Yao Xing Jie: Qing Pi has a bitter and sour taste, is warm, non-toxic, and enters the liver and spleen meridians. It primarily breaks Qi stagnation, and the more it is used, the more effective it becomes. It reduces hard accumulations, and the more it is taken, the better the results. It guides other herbs to the Jue Yin region, helping to digest food and alleviate severe heat and stagnation, stopping pain in the left hypochondrium caused by anger.
In summary, the combination of Zhi Shi and Qing Pi effectively breaks Qi stagnation and relieves fullness, transforms stasis, and eliminates dampness. It not only regulates Qi but also reduces phlegm and food accumulation, providing excellent results for various symptoms such as stomach bloating, abdominal distension, post-meal fullness, loss of appetite, frequent belching, flatulence, and abdominal pain.
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