Vomiting Blood (Hematemesis)

How Chinese medicine differentiates vomiting blood — distinct from Hematochezia already covered — the four patterns you'll actually meet in practice, and the points for each. Acupuncture only — no herbs.

This page is educational, for practitioners and students — it is not a diagnostic tool and does not replace a proper in-person assessment. Vomiting blood is always a medical emergency needing immediate evaluation — this page is educational reference only, never a substitute for that workup.

General Acupuncture Points

Acupuncture points traditionally used for vomiting blood — 8 key points, used across the patterns below rather than tied to just one.

Point	Key action
REN-12	Harmonizes the Stomach, descends rebellious Qi.
ST-36	Clears Stomach-Heat, supports the middle burner.
P-6	Calms the Stomach, stops vomiting.
L.I.-4	Clears Heat, helps stop bleeding.
LR-3	Subdues Liver-Yang, main point for rising Liver-Fire.
LR-2	Drains intense Liver-Fire at the Ying-Spring point.
G.B.-20	Subdues Liver-Yang, clears Heat from the head.
SP-6	Tonifies Spleen and Stomach, supports Blood nourishment.
BL-20	Fortifies the Spleen, restores Blood-holding capacity.
REN-4	Warms and tonifies Qi and Blood when cold extremities are present.
BL-17	Influential point of Blood, moves stasis and stops pain.
SP-10	Sea of Blood, invigorates Blood and removes stagnation.

The Four Patterns

↑ reinforcing ↓ reducing ⊥ even method.

1. Stomach Fire View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Vomiting large amounts of bright red blood, burning pain in the upper stomach, intense thirst for cold drinks, foul breath, constipation with dry stools.

Tongue: Red body, especially in the centre, with a thick dry yellow coating. Pulse: Rapid, slippery and forceful, especially strong at right Guan.

Treatment principle: Clear excess Heat from the Stomach, cool the Blood, and stop bleeding by draining Heat rather than nourishing.

REN-12 ↓ ST-36 ↓ P-6 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with this site's own Stomach-Heat-(or-Phlegm-Heat) slide.

2. Liver-Fire Blazing View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Projectile vomiting of bright red blood, bitter taste in the mouth, intense irritability and short temper, throbbing headache at the temples, flushed face, red painful burning eyes.

Tongue: Red body with redder sides, dry yellow coating, possible red prickles. Pulse: Wiry and rapid, full and forceful, especially at left Guan.

Treatment principle: Drain excess Fire from the Liver and Gall Bladder, subdue rising Liver-Yang, cool Blood to stop bleeding while addressing the emotional root.

LR-3 ↓ LR-2 ↓ L.I.-4 ↓ G.B.-20 ↓ P-6 ↓

Note: no moxa. Direct match with this site's own Liver-Fire-blazing slide.

3. Qi Not Controlling Blood View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Small amounts of dark or pale blood, chronic intermittent bleeding, fatigue and exhaustion, poor appetite and loose stools, pale face and lips.

Tongue: Pale, puffy body with teeth marks and a thin white coating. Pulse: Fine and weak, especially at right Guan.

Treatment principle: Tonify Spleen-Qi to restore its capacity to hold Blood within the vessels; strengthen digestive function and rebuild constitutional energy.

ST-36 ↑ SP-6 ↑ BL-20 ↑ REN-4 ↑

Note: moxa strongly indicated, especially REN-4 with cold extremities. Direct match — 'Qi not controlling Blood' is the same mechanism this site names 'Spleen not controlling Blood'.

4. Stomach Blood Stagnation View full pattern →

Clinical manifestations: Sharp stabbing epigastric pain fixed in one spot, worse with pressure and after eating, vomiting dark coffee-ground or clotted blood, black tarry stools, dark or purplish lips and complexion.

Tongue: Dark purple body with possible purple stasis spots, thin white coat. Pulse: Choppy or wiry.

Treatment principle: Invigorate Blood circulation to dissolve stagnant accumulations, move Qi to resolve fixed pain, restore normal flow without worsening bleeding.

BL-17 ↓ SP-10 ↓ REN-12 ⊥ ST-36 ⊥

Note: no moxa. Direct match with this site's own Stasis-of-Blood-in-the-Stomach slide.

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