↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method — technique below follows standard Excess/Deficiency treatment principle for each pattern, not tied to a specific point-by-point source. All six patterns on this page have a genuine match in this site's Stomach and Liver pattern decks — this is core digestive territory the decks cover in depth.
Clinical manifestations: Distending pain that radiates to the ribs, triggered by emotional stress; frequent belching; acid reflux; irritability; frequent sighing; brought on by stress, frustration, or suppressed emotion; eased by emotional release and a calmer routine.
Tongue: Normal or slightly red, thin white coating. Pulse: Wiry, at the left middle position.
Treatment principle: Soothe Liver-Qi stagnation, regulate Qi, harmonize the Stomach.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Burning, stuffy epigastric pain; nausea with a bitter taste; loose, sticky stools; thirst with little desire to drink; brought on by a diet heavy in greasy, spicy, or sweet food, or damp weather; eased by light, plainly-cooked food and a drier environment.
Tongue: Red with a thick yellow greasy coating. Pulse: Slippery, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Clear Heat, transform Dampness, restore the descent of Stomach-Qi.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Sudden, sharp or cramping epigastric pain that improves with warmth; no thirst; a bland taste; vomiting of clear fluid; a cold sensation in the stomach; brought on by a sudden exposure to cold food, drink, or weather; eased by warmth and rest.
Tongue: Pale, moist, thin white slippery coating. Pulse: Tight, Wiry, Slow.
Treatment principle: Expel Cold, move Stomach-Qi, stop cramping pain.
Note: moxa applicable on the Expel-Cold point.
Clinical manifestations: Epigastric fullness that worsens after eating; sour, rotten-smelling belching; acid regurgitation of undigested food; pain that is worse with pressure but relieved after vomiting; brought on by overeating, eating too quickly, or a recent bout of rich food; eased once the stomach empties.
Tongue: Normal body, thick greasy, curd-like coating. Pulse: Slippery, full.
Treatment principle: Promote digestion, resolve food stagnation, harmonize the Stomach.
Note: no moxa.
Clinical manifestations: Dull, aching pain in the upper belly that improves with warmth and pressure; vomiting of clear fluid; loose stools; cold hands and feet; fatigue; brought on by a diet of cold raw food, chronic illness, or long-standing Spleen and Stomach weakness; eased by warmth and rest.
Tongue: Pale, puffy, tender with tooth marks, thin white slippery coating. Pulse: Deep, Slow, Weak.
Treatment principle: Warm the middle burner, tonify Qi, dispel internal Cold.
Note: moxa applicable.
Clinical manifestations: Dull, gnawing, burning pain despite hunger without appetite; a dry mouth and throat with a thirst for small sips; dry stools; brought on by chronic illness, a long fever, or overwork consuming Stomach-Yin; eased by rest and small sips of fluid.
Tongue: Red, thin, dry centre with little or no coating, possibly cracked. Pulse: Fine, Rapid.
Treatment principle: Nourish Stomach-Yin, generate fluids, moisten dryness, ease burning pain.
Note: no moxa.