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In daily life, habits such as consuming cold and raw foods, drinking cold beverages in summer, and exposing the abdomen can damage Yang Qi over time, leading to insufficient Middle Yang and the internal generation of cold, resulting in Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency.
Common Symptoms of Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency:
1. Cold intolerance, cold limbs, persistent abdominal pain, preference for warmth and gentle pressure;
2. Abdominal distension, poor appetite, food not tasting good, poor digestion, feeling full after eating little;
3. Tolerance for warm food and drink, intolerance for cold;
4. Fatigue in the limbs, constant feeling of drowsiness, lethargy;
5. Clear fluid in the mouth, loose stools, clear and frequent urination;
6. Pale tongue with white, moist coating, no thirst;
7. Deep and thin pulse, or deep and slow pulse.
If Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency leads to the Spleen not controlling blood, it can cause bleeding phenomena such as blood in stools, vomiting blood, or nosebleeds; if Middle Yang is insufficient and Yin cold prevails, it can lead to chest Yang not being vigorous, resulting in chest obstruction and heart pain;
TCM Formulas for Addressing Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency
1Li Zhong Wan (Regulate the Middle Pill)
Li Zhong Wan is a fundamental formula for treating Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency, originating from the “Shang Han Lun” (Treatise on Cold Damage).
Ingredients:Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger), Ren Shen (Ginseng), Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes), Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice).
Functions:Warms the Middle, dispels cold, tonifies Qi, and strengthens the Spleen.
Chief Herb: Gan Jiang (Dried Ginger)
Gan Jiang is very pungent and hot, warming the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach) and assisting Yang to dispel cold;
Deputy Herb: Ren Shen (Ginseng)
Ren Shen is sweet and warm, benefiting Qi and strengthening the Spleen, tonifying deficiency and assisting Yang. Yang deficiency often accompanies Qi deficiency, so replenishing Qi can also assist Yang.
Assistant Herb: Bai Zhu (White Atractylodes)
When Spleen Yang is deficient, dampness and turbidity easily arise, which can further obstruct the Spleen and Stomach. Bai Zhu is sweet and warm, capable of tonifying Spleen deficiency and assisting Yang, while its bitter and drying properties help the Spleen transform dampness.
Envoy Herb: Zhi Gan Cao (Honey-fried Licorice)
Tonifies deficiency and assists Yang, helping Ren Shen and Bai Zhu strengthen the Spleen and benefit Qi; its sweet flavor also alleviates pain and harmonizes the other herbs.
Li Zhong Wan primarily focuses on warming the Middle Jiao, and later generations have modified this formula, resulting in Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (Aconite Regulate the Middle Pill) and Gui Fu Li Zhong Wan (Cinnamon Aconite Regulate the Middle Pill).
2Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan (Aconite Regulate the Middle Pill)Ingredients:Prepared Fu Zi (Aconite) + Li Zhong Wan (Dang Shen or Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Gan Jiang, Zhi Gan Cao).This can be considered an enhanced version of Li Zhong Wan. Based on Li Zhong Wan, it adds Fu Zi, which is very pungent and hot, circulating through the twelve meridians, capable of warming the Kidney and Heart Yang. Fu Zi combined with Gan Jiang can dispel the cold from the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach) and even from the Kidney, enhancing the ability to warm and disperse cold, suitable for severe cases of Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency or Spleen and Kidney Yang deficiency.3Gui Fu Li Zhong Wan (Cinnamon Aconite Regulate the Middle Pill)Ingredients:Rou Gui (Cinnamon) + Fu Zi + Li Zhong Wan (Dang Shen or Ren Shen, Bai Zhu, Gan Jiang, Zhi Gan Cao).This can be considered an enhanced version of Fu Zi Li Zhong Wan. Rou Gui can tonify fire and assist Yang, disperse cold and alleviate pain, and warm and open the meridians, guiding fire back to the source. The addition of Rou Gui strengthens the effects of dispersing cold and warming Yang. It not only warms and tonifies the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach) Yang deficiency but also has a stronger tonifying effect on Kidney Yang deficiency and Heart Yang deficiency.The above are the Li Zhong Wan family formulas that warm the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach).In addition, I would like to introduce a small Jian Zhong Tang (Build the Middle Decoction) for warming the Middle Jiao (Spleen and Stomach).
Commonly Consumed Foods to Warm the Stomach
1. GingerChop fresh ginger and boil it with brown sugar to make a decoction that can quickly dispel cold and alleviate various discomforts caused by stomach cold.For those with stomach cold and cold intolerance, pale complexion, regularly consuming ginger and brown sugar soup can warm the Middle Jiao, support Spleen Yang, and help expel evil externally. (This formula is also very beneficial for chronic rhinitis patients.)2. MilletRegularly consuming millet porridge can warm and tonify the Spleen and Kidney, enhancing vitality, making it an excellent nourishing remedy for those with physical weakness.Preparation:Use an appropriate amount of millet, simmer slowly over low heat, and adding some brown sugar can further nourish the blood.Functions:Millet has the effects of strengthening the Spleen and Stomach, replenishing deficiency, harmonizing the Middle, and benefiting the Kidney, clearing heat, and detoxifying; it can also treat Spleen and Stomach deficiency heat, nausea, vomiting, thirst, diarrhea, etc. The “Compendium of Materia Medica” states that millet “when cooked into porridge, benefits the lower abdomen, replenishes deficiency, and opens the stomach.”
3. Pumpkin (Gold Pumpkin)Pumpkin is warm in nature, sweet in taste, and non-toxic, entering the Spleen and Stomach meridians, capable of moistening the lungs, benefiting Qi, transforming phlegm, expelling pus, treating cough and wheezing, healing lung abscesses and constipation, and has diuretic and beautifying effects. Eating pumpkin also has therapeutic effects for prostate enlargement, prevention of prostate cancer, prevention and treatment of arteriosclerosis and gastric mucosal ulcers, and treatment of diabetes and stone dissolution.4. ChestnutsThe “Compendium of Materia Medica” states: “Chestnuts are sweet and warm, entering the Spleen, Stomach, and Kidney meridians.” TCM believes that chestnuts can tonify the Spleen, strengthen the Stomach, tonify the Kidney, strengthen the muscles, and stop bleeding, suitable for chronic diarrhea caused by Spleen and Stomach Yang deficiency. They can be consumed cooked by all ages and can be made into cakes or porridge.5. YamYam is sweet, neutral, and non-toxic, entering the Spleen, Lung, and Kidney meridians. It has various effects such as strengthening the Spleen, eliminating dampness, tonifying Qi, and benefiting the lungs. It can be used for Spleen deficiency with poor appetite and persistent diarrhea.6. Sweet PotatoesLi Shizhen’s “Compendium of Materia Medica” records: “Sweet potatoes tonify deficiency, strengthen the Spleen, and open the appetite, strengthening Kidney Yin.” Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, which can promote gastrointestinal motility and prevent constipation. They can be prepared as porridge or steamed.
7. WalnutsWalnuts, also known as Hu Tao, Qiang Tao, are among the world’s four famous nuts along with almonds, cashews, and hazelnuts. They are warm in nature and rich in nutrients, suitable for those with stomach cold, while also strengthening the brain and nourishing the kidneys, making them a popular nut food.8. JujubesJujubes, also known as red dates, have been used in traditional medicine for over 2000 years, primarily for treating conditions such as Qi deficiency, Spleen and Stomach weakness, fatigue, poor appetite, loose stools, blood deficiency, and women’s irritability.9. RaisinsRaisins are neutral and warm, sweet in taste, with the effects of tonifying the liver and kidneys, benefiting Qi and blood, generating body fluids, and promoting urination.The above content is for reference only; please seek medical attention if needed.
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