As our lives improve, our stomachs seem to deteriorate. Statistics show 500 million people worldwide suffer from stomach ailments, with China accounting for 120 million—truly a "nation of stomach troubles." In traditional Chinese medicine, discussing the stomach inevitably involves the spleen. Together, they form the "root" of health. Weakened spleen and stomach function can trigger numerous illnesses.I believe nurturing the spleen and stomach is paramount to wellness. A strong stomach builds a robust body, while a weak one leads to frailty. If longevity is likened to building a house, protecting the spleen and stomach lays the foundation. Without a solid base, consuming nutritional supplements or health products yields little benefit.
These Habits Also Harm Your Stomach
1. Overeating at Dinner
Some people concentrate their daily nutrition into dinner, or enjoy late-night snacks or eating before bed. This not only leads to poor sleep and obesity but can also irritate the stomach lining, causing excessive acid secretion and potentially triggering ulcers.
2. Avoid wolfing down food
Food entering the stomach undergoes storage, grinding, and digestion to transform into a semi-liquid state before passing into the intestines. If food is not chewed thoroughly and is swallowed hastily, its coarse texture increases the stomach's burden, prolongs retention time, and may damage the gastric mucosa.Additionally, chewing thoroughly and eating slowly increases saliva secretion, which reduces gastric acid and bile secretion, thereby protecting the stomach.
3. Avoid strong coffee and tea Both coffee and strong tea act as central nervous system stimulants. They can reflexively cause ischemia in the gastric mucosa, disrupting its protective function and promoting ulcer formation.
4. Avoid Medication Abuse
Three main classes of drugs can damage the gastric mucosa: first, acetylsalicylic acid derivatives like aspirin; second, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as phenylbutazone, indomethacin, and ibuprofen; third, hormonal drugs like corticosteroids.Therefore, these drugs should be avoided whenever possible. If necessary, strictly control dosage and duration, and preferably take them after meals.
4 Tips for Stomach Health
1. Spinal Pinching. Typically used for children, this therapy is equally effective for adults suffering from indigestion, bad breath, bloating, stomach pain, diarrhea, lethargy, or fatigue.Perform 1-2 sessions daily; results may appear within one week.
Method: Gently massage the back several times to relax muscles. Then, using the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, grasp and lift the skin along the midline of the back. Move upward along the spine, alternating hands in a forward-rolling motion.After every three pinches, lift the skin once—this is called the "pinch three, lift one" method. Adjust the amount of skin lifted and the pressure applied appropriately; avoid twisting. Move in a straight line without deviation.
2. Rub the navel. Place the palm or heel of one hand over the navel area, with the other hand pressing on the back of the first hand. Rotate and rub in a clockwise direction for about 5 minutes each time, 1-2 times daily. This method warms yang, dispels cold, nourishes qi and blood, strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, aids digestion, and relieves stagnation. It is often used for patients with indigestion, stomach cold, abdominal distension, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation.
3. Rub the lower abdomen. Place both hands firmly on either side of the navel and rub up and down until warmth develops. Suitable for patients with stomach distension or abdominal pain, performed 2–5 times daily. The Tianshu acupoint is located 2 cun (approximately 5 cm) lateral to the navel on each side. This method stimulates this point to treat acute/chronic gastroenteritis and digestive disorders causing indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation.
4. Press and massage Zusanli (ST36). Located just below and outward from the knee joint (see diagram), Zusanli is a vital health-preserving point. Daily massage of 50–100 times strengthens the spleen and harmonizes the stomach, regulates qi flow, and clears stagnation. Suitable for all types of spleen-stomach disorders.
For Liver Qi Stagnation with Gastric Pain: Salt and Fennel Hot Compress
Liver Qi Stagnation causing gastric pain is a common symptom in gastric disorders. Apply a salt and fennel hot compress: Crush 31g of coarse salt and 16g of fennel seeds.Add one bowl of coarse salt (approximately 400–500 grams). Heat the mixture in a pan until warm, then transfer to a cloth bag. Wrap in a towel and apply to the stomach and back while still warm. This helps relax spasms in the stomach area, promoting smooth stomach qi flow and alleviating gastric discomfort.