↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.
Clinical manifestations: Distending pain in the upper abdomen radiating to the ribs; frequent belching and acid reflux, worse with emotional stress; irritability and sighing; a lump-in-the-throat sensation.
Tongue: Normal or slightly red with redder sides, thin white coat. Pulse: Wiry, especially at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Soothes Liver Qi, relieves stagnation and harmonizes the Stomach to prevent upward bile reflux.
Note: no moxa.
2. Qi Stagnation in Gall Bladder and Stomach with Phlegm-Heat
Clinical manifestations: Burning epigastric pain with a bitter taste; restless sleep with vivid, disturbing dreams; easily startled or anxious; nausea or vomiting; yellow greasy tongue coating.
Tongue: Red with redder sides, yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Wiry and slippery, possibly rapid.
Treatment principle: Regulates Qi and transforms Phlegm; clears Gall Bladder and Stomach Heat.
Note: no moxa. This site's decks have no Qi-stagnation-in-Gallbladder-and-Stomach-with-Phlegm-Heat slide — no pattern link is given here.
Clinical manifestations: Upper-abdominal bloating and heaviness; a bitter, sticky taste with foul belching; loose, sticky stools with a feeling of incompleteness; a heavy, foggy head and limbs; bad breath; thirst with little desire to drink.
Tongue: Red, possibly swollen and tooth-marked, thick yellow greasy coat. Pulse: Soggy and rapid, often slippery.
Treatment principle: Clears Heat, transforms Phlegm and descends rebellious Stomach Qi.
Note: no moxa. Linked to this site's own Damp-Heat-in-the-Stomach slide.
Clinical manifestations: Bloating that worsens after eating; loose or poorly formed stools; fatigue and physical weakness; poor appetite with mild dull discomfort; a sallow or pale complexion.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tooth-marked, thin white coat. Pulse: Weak and soft, especially at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Tonifies the Middle Burner and augments Qi; strengthens the Spleen's transforming function.
Note: moxa is appropriate. Linked to this site's own Stomach-and-Spleen-Qi-deficiency slide.
Clinical manifestations: A dull, burning pain in the upper abdomen; feeling hungry but not wanting to eat; a dry mouth and throat, especially at night; dry retching or hiccups; preference for small sips of water.
Tongue: Red, thin, little or no coat, dry, possible cracks in the centre. Pulse: Fine and rapid, weak at the right middle position.
Treatment principle: Nourishes Stomach Yin, soothes the Liver, regulates Qi and calms Empty-Heat.
Note: no moxa.
6. Stomach Blood Stagnation
Clinical manifestations: Sharp, stabbing pain in the upper abdomen, fixed in one spot; pain worse with pressure and after eating; vomiting of dark or coffee-ground material; black, tarry stools; a dark purplish tongue with possible stasis spots.
Tongue: Dark purple or dusky, possible stasis spots, distended sublingual veins, thin white coat. Pulse: Choppy or wiry, rough and uneven.
Treatment principle: Invigorates Blood, dispels stasis, dissipates nodules and stops internal bleeding.
Note: MEDICAL EMERGENCY if there is active bleeding — seek urgent care first. no moxa.