Every time I share content related to the spleen and stomach, someone asks how to determine if they have spleen and stomach qi deficiency? What are the symptoms of spleen and stomach yang deficiency? What are the symptoms of spleen and stomach yin deficiency? …
To help everyone clearly understand the differences between these three conditions, today we will discuss what spleen and stomach qi deficiency, spleen and stomach yang deficiency, and spleen and stomach yin deficiency are.
1. Spleen and Stomach Qi Deficiency
Nowadays, most people suffer from spleen and stomach qi deficiency. If you don’t believe it, check if you have these symptoms:
Bloating, especially noticeable after meals, a heavy body, unformed stools, poor appetite, fatigue in the limbs, weight loss, lack of desire to speak or move, excessive dampness, easy to catch colds, pale complexion, irregular menstruation, prolonged menstrual flow, easy gastric prolapse, uterine prolapse, etc.
The reason why spleen and stomach qi deficiency leads to so many uncomfortable symptoms is that they are really very important! They are responsible for the transformation of food, the processing of dampness, controlling blood, and supporting the internal organs…
So, what causes spleen and stomach qi deficiency?
✿Firstly, overeating, lack of dietary restraint, and late-night snacking can increase the burden on the spleen and stomach, damaging their qi; secondly, excessive worry, overwork, and frequent illnesses can also harm the spleen qi.
✿If you find yourself with spleen and stomach qi deficiency, the first step is to maintain a regular diet, balance work and rest, and relax. The second step is to consider using some traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulas that can tonify spleen and stomach qi, such as Buzhong Yiqi Wan (补中益气丸), Si Jun Zi Wan (四君子丸), and Shen Ling Bai Zhu San (参苓白术颗粒), etc.
2. Spleen and Stomach Yang Deficiency
The characteristic of spleen and stomach yang deficiency is “cold.” Its symptoms are very obvious, for example:
When exposed to cold, whether from the weather or consuming cold foods, one may experience stomach pain, which is very uncomfortable. Drinking a cup of hot water or using a hot water bottle can significantly reduce the discomfort. Additionally, symptoms may include cold hands and feet, easy diarrhea, and sometimes the food consumed comes out unchanged; women may also experience dysmenorrhea or excessive vaginal discharge, etc.
✿The causes of spleen and stomach yang deficiency are also numerous. It may be due to a love for cold foods, a high-stress lifestyle damaging the spleen yang, or it may develop from spleen and stomach qi deficiency if left unaddressed!
✿To address spleen and stomach yang deficiency, the first step is to avoid cold foods. Secondly, ensure warmth in the abdominal area. Finally, you can use TCM formulas to warm the middle and dispel cold. Common and effective TCM formulas include Liqing Wan (理中丸), Fuzi Liqiong Wan (附子理中丸), Liangfu Wan (良附丸), and Wenwei Shu Granules (温胃舒颗粒), etc. Choose one that suits you!
3. Spleen and Stomach Yin Deficiency
A few days ago, I shared a TCM formula and mentioned that people with spleen and stomach yin deficiency should avoid it. Many friends asked me, what is spleen and stomach yin deficiency?
The concept of spleen and stomach yin deficiency is not commonly mentioned, but many people experience it. If the characteristic of spleen and stomach yang deficiency is “cold,” then the characteristic of spleen and stomach yin deficiency is “heat,” but this heat is not real heat, rather it is false heat.
People with spleen and stomach yin deficiency generally present with a red tongue, little or no tongue coating, constant dry mouth and thirst for cold water, an irritable temperament, a hurried manner, difficulty calming down, red lips, prominent eye bags with a slight red hue, quick hunger but lack of appetite; yellow urine, dry stools, etc.
✿The causes of spleen and stomach yin deficiency may be due to an inherent yin deficiency constitution, meaning there is naturally little “water” in the body, leading to insufficient supply to the spleen and stomach; or it may be due to a diet high in spicy, dry foods, excessive snacking, and a lack of vegetables.
✿To address this condition, first, change your dietary habits to focus on light and moist foods. Additionally, you can choose suitable TCM formulas for regulation and improvement. For spleen and stomach yin deficiency, you can use Yangwei Shu Granules (养胃舒颗粒), and if you want to address the yin deficiency fundamentally, you can later use medications from the Di Huang Wan (地黄丸) family to nourish yin.
That’s all for the discussion on spleen and stomach qi deficiency, spleen and stomach yang deficiency, and spleen and stomach yin deficiency. Next time, we will talk about symptoms of spleen deficiency with dampness, spleen and stomach damp-heat, and stomach fire, and how to regulate them.
Finally, I wish everyone a healthy spleen and stomach and a good body!
◎ The images in this article are not to be used without permission.◎ Disclaimer: The formulas or TCM medicines mentioned in this article are for learning and communication purposes only. Do not use them blindly. Due to individual differences in health, please consult a doctor for diagnosis and prescription. The author, publisher, and the entity behind the public account bear no economic or legal responsibility for unauthorized use.
